Wednesday, September 6, 2017

FACT CHECK: Are DACA Recipients Eligible For Federal Benefits?



WASHINGTON, DC -FEBRUARY 09: U.S. President Donald Trump (C) put his hand on the shoulder of Sen. Jeff Sessions (R) after introducing him before Sessions's swearing in ceremony in the Oval Office of the White House February 9, 2017 in Washington, DC. Trump also signed three executive orders immediately after the swearing in ceremony. Also pictured is U.S. Vice President Mike Pence (L). (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
FACT CHECK: Are DACA Recipients Eligible For Federal Benefits?
By David Sivak
05 Sep 2017, 09:58 PM

Conservative radio talk show host Laura IngrahamclaimedTuesday that Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), the Obama-era immigration program, grants recipients access to federal benefits.

Verdict: True

DACA recipients can participatein Social Security and Medicare, and lower income DACA recipients may claim amajor tax credit. They are still ineligible, however, for most forms of welfare including food stamps and Medicaid.

Fact Check:

Since the Obama administrationcreatedDACA in 2012, nearly 800,000 illegal immigrants under the age of 31 havereceiveda two-year delay on deportation action and the ability to work legally in the U.S.

Amid days ofspeculationthat President Donald Trump would rescind the program, Ingraham claimed on Twitter that, in addition to work permits, DACA provides recipients with access to federal benefits.

Illegal immigrants are ineligible formost public benefitsaccording tofederal law, including means-tested programs like Medicaid, food stamps and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Notable exceptions includeemergency medical care and federal disaster relief.

But DACA allows recipients toapplyfor social security numbers, which are requiredto claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), a major tax benefitfor lower-income earners. The program allows recipients toparticipatein Social Security and Medicare as well, but they generally cannot receive benefits until retirement age.

Generally speaking, DACA recipients are still ineligible for many forms of public assistance. Nonetheless, the program does expand access to some federal benefits.

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