Democrat bill gives immigrants instant access to federal benefits, ends ‘xenophobic’ 5-year wait

[Social Media]

Democrats in the House and Senate on Thursday introduced a bill that would give immigrants immediate access to a range of federal benefits instead of making them wait five years.

Congress passed legislation in 1996 requiring most immigrants to wait five years after obtaining their official immigration status before they can access Medicaid, food stamps and other federal programs. That requirement was passed as part of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act, which the House and Senate passed by 3-to-1 margins and President Bill Clinton signed into law.

But under the bill from Reps. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., and Tony Cardenas, D-Calif., and Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, that five-year waiting period would no longer apply. Democrats said the "arbitrary" five-year waiting period makes it harder for immigrants to obtain "critical benefits and services."

[Tug]

Doubt it will become law 

[Hawaiian]

Unless married to a U.S. citizen most immigrants are required to wait 5 years before being eligible to apply for citizenship.  A spouse need wait only 3 years.  Hence the 5 year waiting period to qualify for SNAP (food stamps) and Medicaid.

[pegman]

Would this apply to the many foreign workers Trump employs at his numerous properties? If so it could get a boost in support from some unlikely Republicans in the House. 

[Jingthing]

Talking about fully legal immigrants here.