Do you think illegal immigrants should be able to use welfare/public assistance?

Hmm. I say no as well. It pains me to say this especially when children are involved. It also pisses me off when I hear words such as " Send those Mexicans back to their country!". I happened to be born in Mexico and was naturalized in 1999. So I take great offense to this. As it stands, undocumented immigrants do not qualify for welfare, food stamps, Medicaid, and most other public benefits. Most of these programs require proof of legal immigration status and under the 1996 welfare law, even legal immigrants cannot receive these benefits until they have been in the United States for more than five years. How do I know? I used to work at Texas Workforce where many people come to apply for public assistance. Most illegals contribute and pay taxes whether they know it or not. Almost all of them will never received what they have contributed. They have contributed to our economy totaling in the billions of dollars and most Americans think that they come here to get on public assistance. It is a well known fact that the majority of Americans on welfare are white Americans, not Blacks, or Hispanics, but whites. Just saying. The fact still remains that illegals have broken the law, but damn it's a misdemeanor at best. If I am wrong please correct me. Not justifying the action, but when I hear such things like : they are criminals " I have to say. Of course they are, but they are no terrorist and many are not violent. They tend to be low key fearful of being deported. Some are bad apples, but which population doesn't have any? It makes all the hype when an illegal commits a violent crime, but we know very well that most crimes in America are committed by Americans. I am a proud American who served my country and think that everyone should contribute and do their part. No free rides because if I can do it, so can they.

hell no

Very Simple not only NO but NO.

H--- No. They need to become lrgal and pay taxes like all of us have been doing for years.

No. And No. And NO!

I think the key word there is "illegal". They have already broken the law.

No the term illegal says it all. Under this countries laws they can come here and request to become a legal citizen. But until the illegals go through the process they are criminals and should not have any assistance from our government. Only emergency medical treatment to sustain life saving procedures and than sent back to their country of origin.

Personally I don't think LEGAL immigrants should have access to them, become a citizen, THEN you can have access to non-emergency services (don't want foreign guests dying on us).

I don't go to other countries thinking that I'll get benefits from THEIR government...

Absolutely not! I agree with LTC .

Absolutely not. First of all we have vets who are homeless (some by choice) and are not qualified for any aid or subsistence. Second weather the immigrants are working (performing jobs that most citizens won't do) or not, they are here illegally and are not entitled to the benefits of being a legal American citizen. I am tired of the bleeding hearts saying its a human right thing and the conservatives or Republicans are "racist" etc.. they are braking the law and should either be vetted and given the chance to become a legal American citizen and pay taxes and SS or sent back to their country of origin. We have laws in this country that are ignored most of the time by the far left and Democrats due to the laws don't suit their position. Tough! If I brake the law I expect to be prosecuted or charged with the crime. And in 99% of the time the law abiding citizen will be charged. I served my country for 20 years and not once did I ever expect anything from my country other than what I am entitled to through hard work, sacrifices and paying my taxes. Hell we have American citizens who have never worked a day in their life and expect to have a free ride for everything because of their color or gender. And I think we are at least in our 4th or 5th generation of the entitled. And complain when they might have to work or perform some type of service to their community or country to receive what ever it is that they want. Our great country has fallen off the cliff and I fear I will never live long enough to see it recover due to the liberal thinking and "the ME" generation.