Fear of deportation drives people off food stamps in US

WTOP News (Washington DC) ^ | June 6, 2017 5:25 pm | AP

[COBOL2Java]

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NEW YORK (AP) — A crackdown on illegal immigration under President Donald Trump has driven some poor people to take a drastic step: opt out of federal food assistance because they are fearful of deportation, activists and immigrants say.

People who are not legal residents of the U.S. are not eligible to take part in what is formally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

But many poor families include a mix of non-legal residents and legal ones, such as children who have citizenship because they were born in the U.S. In those cases, it is often an adult who is not a legal resident who submits the application.

Some now feel that is too dangerous under a president who has made immigration enforcement a priority. Throughout the U.S., there are accounts of people resisting efforts of nonprofit organizations to sign them up for food stamps, letting benefits lapse or withdrawing from the program because of the perceived risk.

“They don’t want to put their name and address on a form for a government public benefit out of fear that they’ll be sought out and asked to leave,” said Teresa Smith, executive director of Catholic Charities of Orange County, California.

The food stamp program provides monthly payments, typically about $125 per eligible household member, to poor families to buy essential staples. Going without can be an extreme decision, advocates say.

“This means less food on the table, fewer meals in houses where the kids have rights because they are U.S. citizens,” said Andrew Hammond, an attorney for Chicago’s Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law.

[jackibutterfly]

WHAT??? Hippie names? The 1st part of my name is my real name; the 2nd part because I love butterflies. How is that hippie? And no, I’m not here illegally. I’ve been a freeper for many years. Geez! You’re goofy! :-)

[Sam Gamgee]

Just what I was thinking.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

I’s just kiddin’ ya, based upon the current news of the day. ;)

I think your handle is very pretty! ;)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Agreed.

[libertylover]

A LEGAL immigrant could very well be an American citizen.

Well, yeah, but I meant people visiting here on a legal visa, etc., not American citizens.

[TheConservativeTejano]

Fear of deportation drives people off food stamps in US

We need to build the Southern Border Wall from San Diego, California to Brownsville, Texas.

We will build this wall since W. should have done his job as POTUS after 9/11 but he did not build a wall.

Please do not insult our intelligence that we can not cut the budget! Kinda like what the Rat party tells us every time they get into power. We are spending over $100 Billion in Food Stamps alone!

Congress right now can not even deal with taxes, spending and health care reform. This is only 3 things and yet they can not do the job.

We are beyond P.O.ed!

[Maverick68]

Illegal immigration is a voter drive for Democrats.

[simpson96]

More WINNING!!

[Jane Long]

.....driven some poor people to take a drastic step: opt out of federal food assistance because they are fearful of deportation, activists and immigrants say.

First sentence of this 'article' is just so wrong. If they're here ILLEGALLY, they should NOT be on food stamps, and NOT be here. They are criminals. Why are we rewarding CRIMINALS????

Also....just who pays off these 'activists'? I'd like to follow the $$ trail, on this scam.

[Amish with an attitude]

More swamp draining - Thank you Mr. President.