An alternative explanation is that the white europeans were perfectly content with the welfare state as long as the free loaders looked like they did (ie. white). However, no f-ing way are they about to have free loaders who are muslim, african, turkish or whatever. In a very ironic way, immigration may have caused a rejection of the welfare state. In a very odd way, immigration may be good for europe because the welfare state ends.
I think most countries set up a welfare state to provide for their own people. It doesn't matter what color the outsiders who come to crash in on it are ---I've heard British people complaining a lot about white Irish who move over to get in on their dole.