Over the past few years, many middle-class Americans have come to feel as if the rights of law-abiding citizens have taken a back seat to the rights and comfort of illegal aliens.
These Americans go to work, raise their families, follow the law, and pay their taxes, only to see those who do not work, pay taxes, or follow the law prioritized by our state and federal governments for many valuable benefits and services. And more illegals cross our southern border every day. As of December 2023, the number of daily arrivals topped 10,000.
There are several examples of the prioritization of illegal immigrants over American citizens for valuable benefits that citizens pay for with taxes.
First, whether you live in a “sanctuary city” or not, your tax dollars are going to fund the education of illegal immigrants. In 1982 the U.S. Supreme Court decided in Plyler v. Doe that illegal immigrants couldn’t be excluded from public schools. The U.S. Department of Education has taken this to unprecedented heights under the Biden Administration by creating The Office of Migrant Education. Many states have opened similar offices. The sole purpose of these offices is to expend an increasing amount of American taxpayer money to ensure that illegal immigrants are properly educated.
As is so often the case, legal doesn’t necessarily equal right, and these policies take resources from the education of citizens. In the fall of 2021, just as the human tidal wave was gathering momentum, 10.6% of all students in the U.S. were “English learners,” requiring education resources just to become competent in English. Imagine what that percentage is today.
We are starting to see examples of our schools being overrun. This past January, James Madison High School in Brooklyn even shut down for a day and did not permit its students to attend so that it could be used as a staging ground for the welcoming of illegal immigrants. Where does it end?
Second, the U.S. Department of Agriculture recently released a plan to put USDA GusNIP grants toward “produce prescriptions” for illegal immigrants. A “produce prescription” is a taxpayer funded monthly dollar amount given to an illegal immigrant to purchase top of the line fruits and vegetables. With food costs, particularly fresh food costs, this benefit would be welcome to many American citizens who are trying to make ends meet. Too bad.
Third, the state of Michigan recently announced a “newcomer rental subsidy.” The Newcomer Rental Subsidy Program provides refugees and other newcomer population-eligible households with rental assistance up to $500 per month for up to 12 months, with eligibility based on immigration status and household income. This program specifically excludes American citizens. Not only is it likely illegal, but it is disheartening for struggling citizens. Detroit has a poverty rate of 33.8%. Flint’s poverty rate is 39.6%. A government that prioritizes housing illegal immigrants over providing additional assistance to its own hardworking citizens has lost its way.
Finally, New York City recently announced a program to give free debit cards worth $350 per week to illegal immigrant families. Of course, there are plenty of families of legal residents throughout New York City that could use an extra $1,400 per month tax free to purchase groceries. They are not eligible. The only qualification for this program is that you must be an illegal immigrant. Law-abiding New York City residents need not apply. This is a slap in the face to the many New Yorkers who are struggling.
The American middle class has been betrayed by the American political class. And it’s hardly surprising. The same people who have waived United States sovereignty to flood the nation with illegals are only too happy to take from hardworking citizens to maintain the millions they let in.
The political class does not care about you. They don’t care about the people who donate to their local churches, run toy drives, food drives, and who don’t think twice to help any family in need. The people who spend time cleaning up their block and take pride in their neighborhood. To the cashiers, Soldiers, waitresses, nurses, school bus drivers, police officers, firefighters, teachers, these elitists are clear - they don’t care about you. They don’t care about your family. They don’t care about how hard you work to provide for them. They are not trying to hide it.
The American middle class built this country. They deserve the support of the government they have elected.
James Fitzpatrick is the Director of the Center to Advance Security in America
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