Conservative Politicians, Commentators Recirculate Old Falsehood on Aid for Immigrants
Quick Take
Immigrants who come to the U.S. without authorization have very limited access to government benefits. But an old falsehood revived by conservatives conflates aid given to authorized refugees with the limited assistance available to immigrants who entered the country illegally. The claim also inflates the benefits given to refugees.
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Social media has been awash with claims inflating the amount of government aid given to immigrants as crossings at the southern border continue to draw attention.
Vivek Ramaswamy, a candidate for the Republican nomination for president, for example, posted one such meme on Oct. 2. It said: “Retirement plan: 1) Move to Mexico 2) Give up citizenship 3) Come back illegally 4) Set for life!”
The has been circulating since September, racking up tens of thousands of engagements, after Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado , “Biden is giving each illegal
