Overcoming Barriers: Understanding Factors Limiting Immigrant Access to Welfare Benefits
Major
International and Global Studies
Second Major
Business
Submission Type
Oral Presentation
Area of Study or Work
International Studies, Political Science
Faculty Advisor
Carmela Ferradáns
Location
CNS E101
Start Date
4-13-2024 11:15 AM
End Date
4-13-2024 12:15 PM
Abstract
Migration to the United States has substantially increased over the last few years, seeing record-breaking numbers compared to the past decades. Consequently, this has led to major population growth in the U.S., in turn, raising concerns on economic costs and burdens associated with migration. Currently, many U.S. migrants qualify for different types of welfare and entitlement programs, however, data from the CATO Institute shows that migrants are less likely to access welfare benefits. When they do, they utilize a lower cost value of benefits compared to U.S.-born Americans. This especially applies to Social Security Benefits, Medicare, and Medicaid, which contain the biggest gaps in usage between the U.S.-born and non-U.S.-born populace (Nowrasteh and Howard 3). Data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that many migrants qualify for beneficial programs based on their age and income, calling into question the factors that hinder or discourage migrants from accessing these (American Community Survey). This paper will examine the different benefits and programs available to migrants and the criteria for qualifying for social services such as welfare, unemployment and retirement benefits, and food stamps. Data findings will also be presented to showcase the current statuses of migrants and how many currently claim them. I predict that in addition to a lack of education on beneficial programs and communication barriers, different state policies driven by various factors including public and government support for migration, along with the legal and economic statuses of migrants, prevent their access to these. Research findings can be used to further develop inclusive initiatives in response to the migration surge with policies that promote greater socioeconomic equity in society.
Overcoming Barriers: Understanding Factors Limiting Immigrant Access to Welfare Benefits
CNS E101
Migration to the United States has substantially increased over the last few years, seeing record-breaking numbers compared to the past decades. Consequently, this has led to major population growth in the U.S., in turn, raising concerns on economic costs and burdens associated with migration. Currently, many U.S. migrants qualify for different types of welfare and entitlement programs, however, data from the CATO Institute shows that migrants are less likely to access welfare benefits. When they do, they utilize a lower cost value of benefits compared to U.S.-born Americans. This especially applies to Social Security Benefits, Medicare, and Medicaid, which contain the biggest gaps in usage between the U.S.-born and non-U.S.-born populace (Nowrasteh and Howard 3). Data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that many migrants qualify for beneficial programs based on their age and income, calling into question the factors that hinder or discourage migrants from accessing these (American Community Survey). This paper will examine the different benefits and programs available to migrants and the criteria for qualifying for social services such as welfare, unemployment and retirement benefits, and food stamps. Data findings will also be presented to showcase the current statuses of migrants and how many currently claim them. I predict that in addition to a lack of education on beneficial programs and communication barriers, different state policies driven by various factors including public and government support for migration, along with the legal and economic statuses of migrants, prevent their access to these. Research findings can be used to further develop inclusive initiatives in response to the migration surge with policies that promote greater socioeconomic equity in society.