No Dems back House bill restricting government benefits to legal residents

A bill restricting taxpayer-funded benefits to US citizens and legally authorized non-citizens passed the North Carolina House last week despite no Democratic support.

The GOP bill sponsors explained that the Citizens Support Act aims to address gaps in eligibility verification processes. State agencies and institutions would need to develop and implement plans to verify the immigration status of applicants for various state-funded benefits. The requirement would ensure state resources are prioritized for legal residents.

“We don’t have unlimited resources, and we cannot drain our benefit programs on unauthorized immigrants, leaving taxpayers without resources when they need it the most,” said Rep. Neal Jackson, R-Moore. “Providing handouts to unauthorized aliens also encourages and sanctions unauthorized immigration. We should not incentivize unauthorized immigration, which by the way, has cost beyond money.”

Government benefits include rental or housing assistance programs, medication assistance programs, refugee assistance programs, and low-income energy assistance, all of which are offered through the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. An exception remains to help eligible beneficiaries access food or meals.

Some state-funded benefits distributed through the Department of Commerce and the Housing Finance Agency include the NC Home Advantage Mortgage program, the Affordable Housing Development Fund program, and the Emergency Solutions Grants program (ESG).

The bill (HB 690) passed along party lines in a 96-43 vote last Wednesday. While no Democrats voted in support of the measure, two Democrats, Reps. Carla Cunningham, D-Mecklenburg; and Garland Pierce, D-Scotland, opted out of voting on the matter altogether. Democrats questioned during a committee meeting whether the bill is needed since eligibility requirements and verification processes already exist.

Jackson explained that the current law is “blurry,” so the legislation is for clarification purposes. He also said it would provide fairness and fiscal responsibility while addressing concerns coming from the southern border, like fentanyl and human trafficking.

“The bill represents taxpayers. North Carolinians expect to deserve to know what their hard-earned dollars are being used for,” Rep. Jennifer Balkcom, R-Henderson, said in committee. “Our schools, hospitals, housing programs, and job support systems are stretched thin, and it is vital that state resources are prioritized for legal residents who follow the rules.”

Additionally, the University of North Carolina System and the North Carolina Community College System would need to adopt and implement a policy to verify that all applicants for enrollment are legally authorized to reside in the US for determining eligibility for in-state tuition and financial aid.

Democrats argued that illegal immigrants are already ineligible and would force state agencies to become immigration enforcement officers. Rep. Deb Butler, D-New Hanover, said she was disturbed by Republicans conflating immigration status with criminality, while adding that the requirements would be “cataclysmic” for government workers.

“It’s an expensive, punitive message bill. And the message is clear: If you weren’t born here, buddy, you are not welcome,” Butler said on the House floor. “Even though you are our farm workers, our teachers’ aids, our nursing assistants, you paid taxes — sales, income and property taxes — even when you’re not eligible. Get that they’re paying in, they’re not being able to receive. They’re not eligible for benefits, and so now, after years of giving, we’re telling you you’re not even welcome here and your children are not going to receive any benefits even if you have an urgent need.”

The issue of noncitizen government benefits comes as federal officials work to make significant changes to how Medicaid is administered with state governments. Congress has proposed lowering the federal share of payments to states that allow illegal immigrants to get Medicaid coverage. According to reports, several states take on the full amount of coverage without any federal match for illegal immigrants, despite it being illegal.