The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Children and Families (ACF) issued a memo on Monday for state-level administrators of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) welfare program reminding them that it is illegal to give TANF benefits to illegal immigrants.
Because TANF is provided on Electronic Transfer Benefit (EBT) cards like the separate Food Stamps program, TANF balances can be withdrawn as cash from ATMs, meaning the government has little practical oversight as to how those dollars are spent.
[RELATED: A GOP Bill Could Stop People Using Food Stamps for Junk Food…]
“I will enforce the law to ensure illegal aliens do not receive federal benefits. Under President (Donald) Trump’s leadership we will end the incentive for illegal immigrants to come to America and collect benefits,” said ACF Acting Assistant Secretary Andrew Gradison.
Gradison warned that any officials caught distributing TANF benefits to illegal immigrants will be guilty of a violation of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA), which limits public welfare benefits to citizens and legal, qualifying immigrants.
Violations would also contradict President Trump’s February executive order demanding an end to taxpayer-funded welfare benefits for illegal immigrants.
“ACF will use all available options, including direct oversight, as well as providing targeted technical assistance, to ensure compliance on prohibitions against grantees or subgrantees providing direct benefits to illegal aliens or any other actions that contravene PRWORA, the Income and Eligibility Verification System requirements, 42 USC 1320b-7, or President Trump’s Executive Order 14218,” said Gradison.
The memo builds upon a letter sent earlier this month to state, tribal, and local partners of the ACF, ordering an end to TANF benefits for illegal aliens.
“Illegal aliens have already violated United States law and we will not be spending taxpayer dollars to take care of their needs. President Trump’s Executive Order reaffirms this important national policy and puts the needs of Americans first,” said Gradison.
TANF benefits are intended to help low-income American families with food, healthcare, energy, and childcare costs while they work to become financially stable. Gradison argued—echoing Trump’s earlier statements—that by preventing illegal immigrants from benefiting from TANF and other welfare programs, the government is working to remove the incentives for many to enter the country illegally.
Once again thank you Maine Wire for shedding light on were my tax is going!!
The Bright Bulbs in DC, from Maine, are screwing me and my work for my family.
Doesn’t matter, mills will just give-em state tax money cuz that’s what she does.
Gee it could almost be compared to the PRC saying “you will buy the rope we hang you with”. Other than the difference in venues, here the illegals bring the rope.
Good.
Why don’t you do a story on heating assistance being cut up north 3 years ago we received 1300 last year 550 this year 450 and most people with children had there appointments pushed through the whole winter and are still waiting on help they are trying to freeze us out!
That’s one way to thin out the herd! No more money no reason to stay here!
Go back home where your culture is already there.
Amen. About freaking time!
Long overdue,
OUTSTANDING!!!
I’ll believe this when I see it. The illegals are in Hannaford with full grocery carts and cards. Fat, dumb and happy, as they say.
I wanna see the illegals cell phones turned off!