America First Act
2/7/2025, 1:02 PMSummary of Bill S 62
Bill 119 s 62, also known as the "Limiting Federal Benefits for Certain Immigrants Act," aims to restrict the eligibility of certain immigrants for federal benefits. The bill seeks to tighten the requirements for immigrants to receive benefits such as food stamps, Medicaid, and housing assistance.Under this legislation, immigrants who are not legal permanent residents or who have not been granted asylum or refugee status would be ineligible for federal benefits. The bill also includes provisions to prevent immigrants who have been convicted of certain crimes from accessing federal benefits.
Supporters of the bill argue that it is necessary to ensure that federal benefits are reserved for those who are legally entitled to receive them. They believe that limiting benefits for certain immigrants will help prevent abuse of the system and protect taxpayer dollars. Opponents of the bill, however, argue that it unfairly targets vulnerable immigrant populations and could lead to increased poverty and hardship for those who are already struggling. They argue that denying benefits to immigrants could have negative consequences for public health and safety. Overall, Bill 119 s 62 is a controversial piece of legislation that raises important questions about the balance between protecting taxpayer dollars and ensuring that vulnerable populations have access to necessary support. It is currently being debated in Congress, and its ultimate fate remains uncertain.
Congressional Summary of S 62
America First Act
This bill limits the eligibility of certain non-U.S. nationals (aliens under federal law) for various federal benefits and grants, makes permanent the child tax credit increase, and requires individuals to provide evidence of satisfactory immigration status prior to receiving specified benefits.
The bill prohibits asylees, parolees, and individuals withheld from removal from receiving certain federal benefits, including Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), and Supplemental Security Income. The bill further restricts on the basis of immigration status benefits under federal health programs such as Medicare, emergency disaster relief, housing assistance, food assistance, early childhood assistance, student aid, and Community Development Block Grants.
The bill also makes permanent the increase in the child tax credit set to expire at the end of 2025. In addition, this tax credit and the earned income tax credit are not available to asylees, parolees, individuals granted temporary protected status, individuals withheld from removal, individuals granted deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA) status, and non-U.S. nationals with employment-based immigrant visas.
Federal aid is reduced for elementary and secondary education by 50% annually to jurisdictions that do not assist federal immigration enforcement actions (deemed sanctuary jurisdictions under the bill).
The bill also removes statutory exemptions for Haitian entrants that allows such entrants to receive various aid.
Certain benefits are prohibited, including Medicaid and SNAP, until an applicant’s satisfactory immigration status is proved.
