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OPINION

Americans Have Become Second Class Citizens Under the Biden-Harris Administration

The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Townhall.com.
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AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster

America was built on the principle that citizens should come first—our taxes, our hard work, and our devotion to this country are what have kept this great nation strong for generations. But under the Biden-Harris administration, American citizens are being treated as second-class, while illegal immigrants are given benefits, opportunities, and resources at our expense. We are witnessing a system where hard-working Americans are left to foot the bill for the administration’s failure to protect our borders.

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For nearly four years now, we have seen a disturbing pattern of growing support and benefits for illegal immigrants. Despite crossing our borders unlawfully, they are granted access to healthcare, education, housing, and even welfare programs. What’s the result? The basic economic principle that “there is no such thing as a free lunch” is proving truer than ever. Every so-called “benefit” given to an illegal immigrant has a price—one that American citizens, taxpayers, and our future generations will pay.

According to the House Committee on Homeland Security, the crisis of illegal immigration has cost U.S. taxpayers nearly half a trillion dollars in the last two years. This staggering figure of $451 billion includes costs in in healthcare, law enforcement, education, housing, and more, resulting from the millions of illegal immigrants released by the Department of Homeland Security under Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, along with the 1.7 million gotaways—illegal immigrants who evaded authorities altogether. These numbers are shocking, but what is more shocking is that the Biden-Harris administration continues to encourage these costly open-border policies.

American citizens are already feeling the weight of these economic consequences. Increased taxes, skyrocketing gas prices, unaffordable housing, and runaway inflation are just a few of the visible impacts. Grocery prices have soared, and families are struggling to keep up. Our wallets are being drained to pay for the administration’s refusal to enforce our immigration laws.

The consequences of this policy failure have become even more evident in recent weeks. FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, announced that they are facing a funding shortfall. Why? Because resources that should have been reserved to aid Americans in the wake of natural disasters—like hurricanes—are instead being diverted to support illegal immigrants. In fact, FEMA’s depleted disaster relief fund is now short on the funds needed to properly assist American citizens during hurricanes, fires, and floods. This agency, which was created to help American families in times of crisis, is being used to address a border crisis manufactured by the Biden-Harris administration.

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This is a perfect example of how Kamala Harris, the so-called Border Czar, has prioritized illegal immigrants over U.S. citizens. While American families in hurricane prone areas prepare for dangerous storms, they are left wondering whether FEMA will be able to offer the assistance they need. Meanwhile, resources are being poured into housing and feeding those who have crossed our borders illegally.

In 2023 alone, the total cost of illegal immigration to U.S. taxpayers was $150.7 billion. This figure includes public services such as education, healthcare, and welfare. The federal government absorbed $66 billion of this burden, while state and local governments, already strained, picked up the rest. In states like Texas, Florida, and New York, the financial strain is particularly intense. Florida spent $566 million last year on healthcare for undocumented immigrants, while New York City projects a $12 billion price tag for housing and feeding asylum seekers and undocumented immigrants over the next few years. Meanwhile, California spends $4 billion annually on healthcare alone for illegal immigrants, with additional, untracked costs related to food and housing assistance.

Americans are not only paying with their tax dollars, but we are also paying with our safety and stability. Texas alone spends $850 million annually on services for illegal immigrants, including law enforcement and incarceration. Yet, the burden of housing and feeding these individuals is less detailed, adding to the hidden costs of this crisis. In addition to financial strain, illegal immigration has led to overcrowded hospitals, overwhelmed schools, and reduced resources for our law enforcement.

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But the Biden-Harris administration, led by Kamala Harris, continues to gaslight the American people. For nearly four years, Harris and her allies have refused to take accountability for their role in this crisis. They promised to “reverse” the policies of the Trump administration on day one, claiming they could undo decades of failed immigration policies. But let’s be clear: Day one was 3.5 years ago, and nothing has improved.

The facts speak for themselves:

– At least $150.7 billion annually is the cost of illegal immigration, with $1,156 per year being drained from every American taxpayer.

– Each illegal immigrant costs the U.S. $8,776 annually.

– Illegal immigrants working in the underground economy frequently avoid paying any income tax and even receive net profits through refundable tax credit programs.

The truth is, the Biden-Harris administration’s policies have failed, and Americans are paying the price. Instead of protecting our borders and prioritizing our citizens, they have chosen to reward those who break our laws.

But there is hope. As your next Congressman, I will work closely with President Trump to end the chaos at our southern border, ensure our immigration laws are enforced, and stop the economic drain that illegal immigration has placed on hardworking Americans. We will implement policies that prioritize U.S. citizens—policies that will bring back affordable housing, reduce inflation, and strengthen our economy for the benefit of all Americans, not just a select few.

It’s time to stop putting illegal immigrants first and make sure that every American citizen enjoys the rights, privileges, and security they deserve. Together, with President Trump, I will fight to restore our place as first-class citizens in our own country.

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