Sen. Mike Lee’s Bill Aims To End Welfare For Illegal Immigrants

Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) is pushing legislation to block illegal immigrants from collecting federal benefits, arguing it is a burden on American taxpayers. The America First Act, first introduced in December, seeks to prevent those granted parole into the country from accessing aid programs originally meant for U.S. citizens.

During a Senate Budget Committee hearing, Lee reiterated that the bill is necessary to address what he called a long-standing loophole allowing millions of illegal immigrants to drain taxpayer resources. The bill is supported by House lawmakers, including Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) and House Budget Committee Chair Jodey Arrington (R-TX), who introduced a companion version.

Roy has stressed that the continued availability of benefits to illegal immigrants is drawing more people across the border, arguing that the legislation would remove a key incentive. Arrington has echoed similar concerns, stating that the bill could save over $177 billion in taxpayer funds.

During the hearing, Office of Management and Budget nominee Russell T. Vought voiced support for the bill, stating it aligns with President Donald Trump’s commitment to prioritizing American interests and securing the border. Trump’s administration has also been pushing other immigration-related policies, including stricter ID requirements for voting and enhanced border enforcement measures.

The legislation has faced opposition from Democrats, who argue that cutting aid could lead to unintended consequences for local communities. However, Lee and his supporters insist that ending access to federal programs for illegal immigrants is necessary to uphold fairness and accountability in government spending.

The America First Act is part of a broader legislative push by Republicans to tackle immigration issues and strengthen enforcement under Trump’s leadership.

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