August 24, 2011 - Voces de la Frontera

On August 18, Republican Assembly representative Mursau introduced new legislation requiring documentary evidence of citizenship or lawful immigration status for public assistance programs.  The bill, AB-222, has been referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and State Affairs.

Christine Neumann-Ortiz, executive director of Voces, denounced the bill:

"This is a bogus bill.  It is a sham.  Undocumented immigrants do not qualify for public benefits, despite the fact that they contribute to our tax base.  Representative Mursau is creating a “boogey man” with the goal of deceiving and confusing the public into thinking that immigrants are getting a 'free ride'. 

Worse yet, the consequence of this bill will be to disenfranchise low-income families—both US citizens and those with lawful immigration status—who are eligible for these programs. They will now have additional documentation requirements before receiving vital services, such as food, shelter, and health care. The fact that Rep. Mursau does not believe that this is a burden for low-income families demonstrates how out of touch he is with poor families in our state. 

If he is looking to point the finger, Rep. Mursau should start with himself- for passing a state budget that already cuts vital public services for tens of thousands of families in Wisconsin. ”  

Leila Pine, a former state hearing examiner, confirms:

"Having conducted welfare appeal hearings in all 72 counties in Wisconsin for 10 years, I can tell you that undocumented immigrants have never been approved for public assistance programs, and must always prove U.S. citizenship to county case managers.  This bill is just a political ploy to make people believe that undocumented immigrants are receiving public assistance, which is just as false as the myth that they don't have taxes deducted from their paychecks or that they all get paid in cash."