# 41% of Americans support Syrian immigration **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [November 19, 2015, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/41-of-americans-support-syrian-immigration/738009 "2015-11-19T20:16:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2015, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/41-of-americans-support-syrian-immigration/738009/162 "2015-11-23T16:37:19Z")
There are between three and six months of subsistence benefits awaiting Syrian refugees, so I’m not sure why welfare or food stamps are relevant. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2015, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/41-of-americans-support-syrian-immigration/738009/163 "2015-11-23T16:57:38Z")
Technically, food stamps and WIC _are_ part of those “subsistence benefits”. Frankly, I don’t know why people get so steamed up about giving new arrivals who show up with nothing or nearly so housing and food for a couple months while they get established. If we didn’t, those same folks would no doubt bitch about homeless refugees camping out in parks and/or needing to remove their frozen corpses from the sidewalks of Chicago and New York during the winter when the penniless arrivals freeze to death from lack of shelter. It’s _temporary_, people! As in, not forever, just for a short while. And yes, Ellis Island type immigrants also benefited from various forms of assistance, from charities providing housing to English language lessons to public schooling for their children. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2015, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/41-of-americans-support-syrian-immigration/738009/164 "2015-11-23T18:40:00Z")
No, the benefits provided to refugees are either furnished by private organizations (and funded by the federal government) or the receiving states directly. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2015, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/41-of-americans-support-syrian-immigration/738009/165 "2015-11-23T19:36:55Z")
What, you think refugees are somehow _banned_ from applying for food stamps or WIC? They’re allowed to apply and receive them, and many do. Yes, they _initially_ receive housing, clothing, food, and some cash but that is a _one time_ grant to the refugee, intended to last 30-90 days. After that they are expected to find work. Not surprisingly, the initial job(s) they hold do not always pay particularly well and thus they may need additional assistance, just like the rest of the working poor in the US. But hey, don’t take my word for it - here’s a quote direct from the [US Federal Government](http://www.state.gov/j/prm/releases/onepagers/228696.htm) (emphasis added): > [@](#): > > Although\*\* refugees are eligible for public assistance when they first arrive\*\*, the U.S. Government emphasizes early economic self-sufficiency through employment to speed their integration into American society. Refugees ARE eligible for publicly funded benefits, including those from the Federal Government provided they are otherwise eligible (income, etc.) _Illegal_ aliens are not eligible for such benefits, but refugees are here legally. Frankly, I prefer that we provide assistance to people when they initially arrive to maximize their prospects of becoming self-supporting members of society. What’s the alternative? Letting them languish as strangers in a strange land, baring keeping ahead of starvation (or maybe not even that!)? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2015, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/41-of-americans-support-syrian-immigration/738009/166 "2015-11-23T19:57:24Z")
That quote does not say anything about WIC or food stamps. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2015, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/41-of-americans-support-syrian-immigration/738009/167 "2015-11-23T22:59:31Z")
Are you claiming food stamps and WIC are _not_ publicly funded benefits? I could tell you I met refugees at work and rung up their groceries at the checkout, after which they pay with a food stamp card or WIC but would you take my say so on that? What makes you think they are NOT allowed to receive those benefits? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2015, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/41-of-americans-support-syrian-immigration/738009/168 "2015-11-23T23:14:55Z")
So, you’re OK with letting them in, but you want to be strict with them? Given their limited options, they would likely be cool with that. Just guessing. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2015, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/41-of-americans-support-syrian-immigration/738009/169 "2015-11-23T23:57:41Z")
To whom are you addressing your question? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2015, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/41-of-americans-support-syrian-immigration/738009/170 "2015-11-24T01:17:56Z")
You can answer if you wish, I am not in a position to assign obligations. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2015, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/41-of-americans-support-syrian-immigration/738009/171 "2015-11-24T14:37:12Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Are you claiming food stamps and WIC are _not_ publicly funded benefits? Of course they are. Refugees are eligible for some publicly funded benefits. That source says nothing about whether food stamps or WIC are among them. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2015, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/41-of-americans-support-syrian-immigration/738009/172 "2015-11-24T14:55:58Z")
What other publicly funded benefits do you think there are? Well, TANF if they have minor children. SSDI if they are disabled and can convince the administration that they are (this can be harder than you think). Um… what else is there? But hey, for the Google-impaired, [this document](http://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/Non-Citizen_Guidance_063011.pdf) explicitly mentions “refugee” more than 30 times. Yes, they are eligible. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2015, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/41-of-americans-support-syrian-immigration/738009/173 "2015-11-24T15:00:39Z")
Okay, that’s a better citation. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2015, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/41-of-americans-support-syrian-immigration/738009/174 "2015-11-24T15:18:29Z")
Wait, they didn’t even bring their own food? Probably left their cash and credit cards back there too! Well, how very _convenient_! They’ll just have to pull themselves up by their bootstraps! OK, OK, we’ll give them the bootstraps, but not the whole damned boots! No reason to start in coddling these terrorists, not gonna have a Muslim atheist for President much longer! ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2015, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/41-of-americans-support-syrian-immigration/738009/175 "2015-11-24T15:24:19Z")
Probably the same source as [this](http://www.rcusa.org/post-arrival-assistance-and-benefits) is being used for this discussion about benefits for refugees in the US, but figured I’d drop it just in case: > [@](#): > > Post Arrival Assistance and Benefits > > (a) Private Resettlement Agency Assistance Church sponsor welcomes Burmese Refugee Family at Airport > Refugees arriving in the U.S. are placed with one of the private resettlement agencies that have signed a Cooperative Agreement with the State Department. These agencies generally have local affiliates throughout the U.S. > > The affiliates are responsible for assuring that a core group of services are provided during the first 30-90 days after a refugee’s arrival, including food, housing, clothing, employment services, follow-up medical care, and other necessary services. There are approximately 350 affiliates throughout the United States. > > Affiliates often work with relatives or others who have filed sponsorship papers to prepare for the refugees’ arrival. Such sponsors will be responsible for assisting the agency with a refugee’s resettlement. Sponsors may be relatives or friends of the refugee. For refugees without a sponsoring relative or friend the voluntary agencies will sometimes find an individual, a church, or other group willing to undertake sponsorship of the refugee, or act as the refugee sponsor. > [@](#): > > (b) Public Assistance > The Cash and Medical Assistance (CMA) Program is part of the Division of Refugee Assistance at the Office of Refugee Resettlement. CMA reimburses states for 100 percent of services provided to refugees and other eligible persons, as well as associated administrative costs. Programs eligible for reimbursement include: > •Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) > •Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA) > •Unaccompanied Refugee Minors > > ORR clients determined ineligible for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Medicaid may be eligible for RCA and RMA for up to eight months from the date of arrival in the U.S., date of final grant of asylum for asylees and date of certification for trafficking victims. > > Refugees may apply for RCA and/or RMA in their state of residence within eight months from the date of arrival. CMA also reimburses medical screening costs to identify and treat contagious diseases and medical conditions. > > Payment levels and rules for TANF and RCA vary by state. > > State programs for administering CMA and other forms of state assistance for refugees vary by state; there are state administered programs, public-private partnerships, and Wilson-Fish programs. For more information on the type of state program in each state, visit the Office of Refuge Resettlement State Programs Annual Overview map. You can also look through the RCUSA State Profiles on the refugee resettlement and assistance programs in most states. > > In FY 1998, new laws and regulations went into effect that prohibit immigrants from receiving many forms of federally funded public benefits, until such time as they become US citizens. Refugees, however, are excluded from this prohibition for the first seven years after arrival. After seven years, however, refugees will be unable to receive most benefits unless they have acquired US citizenship. > [@](#): > > (c) Education > All refugees under the age of 18 years old may attend public primary or secondary schools free of charge. Refugees have the same access to university education as US citizens and permanent residents. > > (d) Employment Benefits > All refugees are entitled to receive authorization for employment. They are protected by civil rights legislation and cannot be discriminated in the workplace. They are not eligible, however, to work for the federal government (except in US armed forces) until they become US citizens. > [@](#): > > (e) Immigration Benefits > > ``` > (i) Travel Documents > Refugees are eligible to leave the US for up to one year provided they have obtained a refugee travel document from USCIS. Travel documents are valid for one year. Refugees who leave the US without first obtaining a travel document may apply for a travel document abroad. However, the refugee still must return to the US within one year of his/her departure. It is strongly recommended that refugees obtain the refugee travel document prior to leaving the US. > > (ii) Adjustment of Status > One year after arrival refugees are eligible to adjust their status to permanent resident. > > Five years after arrival they can petition for naturalization, provided they have adjusted status to permanent resident during this time and have continuously resided in the US for five years prior to petitioning for naturalization. A > > djustment of status and naturalization takes place at the DHS/USCIS District Office covering the refugee's residence. > > (iii) Family Reunification > Immediate family members of refugees have US refugee status on a derivative basis. This is referred to as the Visa 93 procedure; that is, a spouse or any unmarried minor child of a refugee receives refugee status automatically provided that the relationship existed prior to the entry of the refugee into the US. > > The spouse, parents, unmarried sons and daughters of persons with legal status in the US, who were initially admitted as refugees or granted asylum in the US, are eligible for family reunion, if the nationality is designated for priority three processing. However, unlike the Visa 93 process, persons in the Priority-3 category have to be interviewed by DHS/USCIS and meet the US definition on their own. They do not receive refugee status on a derivative basis. > > Parents, spouse, and unmarried children of US citizens, are NOT eligible for US refugee status. They must enter the US through normal immigration mechanisms. > > ``` [Here](http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/snap-policy-non-citizen-eligibility) are the SNAP provisions for non-US citizens: > [@](#): > > SNAP Policy on Non-Citizen Eligibility > Last Published: 11/07/2014 > > A person must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible, lawfully-present non-citizen to qualify for SNAP benefits. Non-citizens who are eligible based on their immigration status must also satisfy other SNAP eligibility requirements such as income and resource limits to receive SNAP benefits. > > Non-citizens eligible with no waiting period. > > The following non-citizens are eligible with no waiting period: > > ``` > Qualified alien children under 18. > Refugees admitted under section 207 of INA (includes victims of severe forms of trafficking). > Victims of Trafficking under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000. > Asylees under Section 208 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). > Deportation withheld under 243(h) or 241(b)(3) of INA. > Amerasian immigrants under 584 of the Foreign Operations, Export Financing and Related Programs Appropriations Act. > Cuban or Haitian entrants as defined in 501(e) of the Refugee Education Assistance Act of 1980. > Iraqi and Afghan special immigrants under Section 101(a)(27) of the INA. > Certain American Indians born abroad. > Members of Hmong or Highland Laotian tribes that helped the U.S. military during the Vietnam era, and who are legally living in the U.S., and their spouses or surviving spouses and unmarried dependent children. > Elderly individuals born on or before Aug. 22, 1931 and who lawfully resided in the U.S. on Aug. 22, 1996. > Lawful Permanent Residents in the U.S. and receiving government payments for disability or blindness. > Lawful Permanent Residents with a military connection (veteran, on active duty, or spouse or child of a veteran or active duty service member). > > ``` > > Qualified aliens eligible after a waiting period. > > A qualified alien is a non-citizen with a certain immigration status as defined under PRWORA. > > A qualified alien who does not belong to one of the non-citizen groups listed above as eligible with no waiting period can get SNAP benefits if the person is otherwise eligible, and is: > > ``` > A Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) who has earned, or can be credited with, 40 quarters of work; or > A qualified alien in one of the following groups who has been in qualified status for 5 years: > > o Paroled for at least one year under section 212(d)(5) of INA. > o Granted conditional entry under 203(a)(7) of INA in effect prior to 4/1/80. > o Battered spouse, battered child or parent or child of a battered person with a > petition pending under 204(a)(1)(A) or (B) or 244(a)(3) of INA. > > ``` ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2015, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/41-of-americans-support-syrian-immigration/738009/176 "2015-11-24T16:01:00Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Wait, they didn’t even bring their own food? Probably left their cash and credit cards back there too! Well, how very _convenient_! They’ll just have to pull themselves up by their bootstraps! OK, OK, we’ll give them the bootstraps, but not the whole damned boots! No reason to start in coddling these terrorists, not gonna have a Muslim atheist for President much longer! OK, THAT time I got the sarcasm! You _almost_ owe me a new keyboard. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/41-of-americans-support-syrian-immigration/738009.md?page=8)