Compact Impact Fairness Act of 2023

Compact Impact Fairness Act of 2023

This bill expands the eligibility of citizens of the Freely Associated States lawfully residing in the United States for certain federal public benefits.

Currently, citizens of the Freely Associated States (Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau) may live, study, and work in the United States as nonimmigrants. However, such individuals are generally ineligible for most federal public benefits, with Medicaid being one exception. Under this bill, such individuals may be eligible for certain federal public benefits, such as benefits under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program.

Furthermore, current law generally bars individuals from receiving federal means-tested public benefits for the five-year period starting from the individual's entry into the United States. Under this bill, citizens of the Freely Associated States living in the United States shall not be subject to this bar.

Bill 118 HR 1571, also known as the Compact Impact Fairness Act of 2023, aims to address the financial burden placed on states that are impacted by the presence of compact migrants. Compact migrants are individuals who come to the United States under agreements with the federal government, such as the Compact of Free Association with the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau.

The bill seeks to provide financial assistance to states that experience a significant influx of compact migrants, in order to help cover the costs of providing services such as healthcare, education, and social services. It also aims to ensure that the federal government fulfills its obligations under these agreements and provides adequate funding to states to support compact migrants.

Additionally, the Compact Impact Fairness Act of 2023 includes provisions to improve data collection and reporting on the impact of compact migrants on states, in order to better understand the needs of these populations and allocate resources more effectively. Overall, this bill is designed to promote fairness and equity in the distribution of resources to states that are affected by compact migrants, and to ensure that the federal government upholds its commitments to these populations.