VERIFI ACT

 

What is it?:

Todd Akin, who is a Republican representative Montana. According to Akin, the United State's budget is being drained due to Federal benefit programs. Akin is worried that there will not be enough resources for future generations. The VERIFI Act proposes to use the federal government to check the status of every individual prior to handing out any government checks. Federal Agencies can use the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements which already allows federal agencies to check the status of beneficiaries.

Immigrants Real use of Benefits:

A recent study conducted by the Cato Institute provides a better understanding of just how many resources undocumented immigrants use compared to native citizens. The study was based on Medicaid SNAP, cash assistance programs, and the Supplemental Security Income Program. Due to many immigrants being ineligible for benefits because of their illegal status, the average value of received benefits is actually lower than a U.S. citizens'. Non-Hispanic whites who made up 64% of the population in 2010 received 64% of the entitlement benefits.

• In Regards to Medicaid
• 100 native-born adults used $98,400
• 100 immigrants used $57,200

Conclusion:

Although immigrants do use some of the government funded money, the actual amount is much less than some are making it out to be. A government program like the VERIFI Act being proposed by Todd Akin will use more resources and money to operate. It does not seem fair to blame strains on the budget on immigrants alone, instead people need to look at everyone receiving entitlements from the government.

http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2012/06/22/Prevent-illegal-immigrants-from-receiving-federal-benefits

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/04/poor-immigrants-government-benefits-cato_n_2807490.html