USCIS Procedures

[sjr09 155]

Legislative Update November 9, 2009

This may change USCIS procedures in regards to the Affidavit of Support.

Last week, the latest House health care bill (H.R. 3962) raised a number of concerns over the direction the bill was taking with respect to immigration policy. Earlier this summer, had raised concerns over the language of the bill with respect to Section 342(d), which would waive the current 5-year waiting period before legal aliens can access the affordability credits under the bill.

The cost of health care reform will be a function of the number of people eligible to participate. Since the House version of the bill lacks meaningful verification procedures, illegal aliens will be able to access taxpayer-funded subsidies for affordability credits and the public plan. ( Legislative Analysis). In addition, Section 242(d) of the House bill allows legal immigrants (green card holders) — who are otherwise required to wait five years before becoming eligible for most federal benefits — to immediately become eligible for affordability credits as soon as they set foot in the United States.

[edp333 9]

By 2014 most of the LPRs here on VJ will be past the 5 year waiting period or be US Citizens.

[sjr09 155]

By 2014 most of the LPRs here on VJ will be past the 5 year waiting period or be US Citizens.

Read one more time!

to immediately become eligible for affordability credits as soon as they set foot in the United States.

[edp333 9]

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has scored the impact of the affordability credits under H.R.

3200. CBO estimates that the value of the credit per individual will be $4,600 beginning in 2014 and

rising to $6,000 per individual by 2019.10 The following chart details the estimated total costs for the

affordability credits for 5-year LPRs over the 2014-2019 budget period.

http://www.fairus.org/site/DocServer/242d_v4.pdf?docID=3641

[SnME 3]

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has scored the impact of the affordability credits under H.R.

3200. CBO estimates that the value of the credit per individual will be $4,600 beginning in 2014 and

rising to $6,000 per individual by 2019.10 The following chart details the estimated total costs for the

affordability credits for 5-year LPRs over the 2014-2019 budget period.

http://www.fairus.org/site/DocServer/242d_v4.pdf?docID=3641

CONCLUSION: The House health care bill contains a number of provisions that significantly impact

immigration policy at a significant cost to the American people. Among these provisions is Section

242(d), which waives the 5-year waiting period before legal immigrants can access the federal benefit of

the affordability credit. This section will cost the American taxpayers a total of at least $33.8 billion

between 2014 and 2019, and potentially much more depending on the rate of utilization. Congress should

preserve current law, designed to further an important public policy, and reinstate the 5-year waiting

period with respect to the affordability credit.

You may have misunderstood the real meaning behind Nobamas proposed bill. He wants to change the current law and policy to cover LPR's immidiately...

You may have got confused because of the dates they used for their estimated costs to the American taxpayer?

The way I see it, My taxes should not have to pay for this #######. It they just got here (legally or not) and they have paid NOTHING into the system as far as their taxes are concerned, WHY should I have to foot the bill for their healthcare???

The 5 year waiting period for LPR's is a good thing and should be left alone. It is just a shame that it does not apply to the illegal immigrants that are everywhere in America... I know a couple of illegal mexican honeys that have spit out babies here that MY taxes paid for... The majority of hospitals never even seek collection on them for the services and some states easily allow them to get benefits that they did not earn and do not deserve.

My friend Jose is a 'legal' resident here. His wife is NOT. He explained to me about how they moved to Tennessee from their previous address just because she was due a baby soon and they knew that they could get 'benefits' in Tennessee with NO PROBLEM. And they did... Tennessee taxpayers paid for every bit of it and the state NEVER came after either one of the parents to pay any of it back even though the wife was not a legal US resident.

The entire thing drives me nuts!

If I get an American girl knocked up, I got to pay for the medical expenses unless I can PROVE that I am broke and we get on Medicaid...

If I get an illegal Mexican honey knocked up, I can sit back while the State pays for all of that...

If I get married and legally bring a Filipina here and SHE gets pregnant, I got to pay for all of that... No way around it because of the current law. They will come after me to pay (like they SHOULD)...

ALL people should be responsible for their own actions and their own healthcare. I see nothing wrong with a person asking the system for help if they have been a contributing part of the system for the required length of time and if they truly NEED the help. People that are here legally but have NOT contributed to the system of help should have to wait a little while before they ask for 'help'. I can appreciate the current law here. Those that are here illegally but have NOT contributed to the system for the same required length of time should be put on a bus or plane and sent home...

[Richard90027 1]

Another example of the US Gov screwing the taxpayer. Trying to make us all equally poor..

[SuperDuper! 230]

Another example of the US Gov screwing the taxpayer. Trying to make us all equally poor..

Dude, why so negative? Life really ain't that bad!

[Dakine 26]

ALL people should be responsible for their own actions and their own healthcare. I see nothing wrong with a person asking the system for help if they have been a contributing part of the system for the required length of time and if they truly NEED the help. People that are here legally but have NOT contributed to the system of help should have to wait a little while before they ask for 'help'. I can appreciate the current law here. Those that are here illegally but have NOT contributed to the system for the same required length of time should be put on a bus or plane and sent home...