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MAY 20 Rf£'D
April~, 1994
Carol Rasco
Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy
The White House
1600 PennsyJvannia Avenue N.W,
.Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Ms. Raseo,
I am writing to urge President Clinton not to disqualify noncitizens from receiving SSI,
AFDC, food stamps or Medicaid as II way of financing his welfare reform plan. Immigrants and
refugees who receive these benefit."! need them hecause they are poor, old, sick, hungry
(]I'
disahfed. It is simply unacceptable to finance any welfare reform by imposing greater burdens
on one segment of the poor and the needy.
Immigrants. and refugees do not come to the United States: to get welfare. They come to
the Vn.iled States because they are fleeing persecution or because they want to he reunited with
their families or to work. Immigrants work bard and pay taxes and should he entitled to the
same henefits and services as all other taxpaying residents of our communities.
a written response
my concerns. Thank you.
�6950 North Barnett Lane
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53217-3603
Apri 1 5, 1994
Mr_ Bruce Reed, Deputy Assistant to the President
Domestic Policy
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington DC 20500
!I
RE: FINIINCING WELFARE REFORM BY CUTTING BENEFITS TO LEGAL
IMMIGRANTS AND OTHER LOW-INCOME GROUPS
Dear j~r. Reed:
Jus t to be on record and to exp ress to you my oppos it ion
of cutting benefits to legal ilnIligrants and other low
income groups to reform welfare.
I believe in welfare reform and think it is most important.
However. I don't believe this is the way to achieve it
on the backs of the people who need it at the moment.
I would appreciate you doing as much as you can to
see that this practice does not occur in the forth
c~~i~g 1eg~~1at~c~_
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March 26, 1994
BOARD afDIRECT01H
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Mr. Bruce Reed
Assistant to the President
White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Washington, D.C. 90500
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. The National Asian. Pacific American Families Against
Substance Abuse (NAPAFAS~l. is ,a national, private,. ~on-profit.
membership organization.lt:is' devoted to ad'dressing the problems
of alcohol, tobacco, an'd Qttie~ drug 'abuse (and related. human '.'
service problems) among Asian and Pacific Islander populations.
NAPAFASA is therefore concerned about the handicapped and'
disabled that need help. There are many Asian and Pacific
Islanders that are disabled and need financial assistance.
We are concerned about the proposed welfare reform package
which would deny Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for
people who have yet to attain citizenship,
Denial of benefits to Asians and Pacific Islanders (API) who
are over 65 and are non-citizens would mean that a significant
percentage of the API community would not be able to. maintain
their independent living becaUSE! SSI. is their sale source of
support. To remove .this safety. network for them would result in
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the inability •to pay for housing, food, clothing, ' and. minimal,;,
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I DJ A"t,h;. Califon';,.
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Those who believe that "Ihese people" should just become citizens
(and therefore qualify for the SSI benefits), need to look at the
English language requirements for naturalization, Most 01 the elderly
cannot read and write at the 5th grade level. In order for a permanent
resident to take the naturalization examination in their own language,
they need to be here lor 20 years,
Almost all the immigrant elderly are not citizens because of the
English language requirement. For many of the immigrant elderly, SSI is
their sale source of support, Those who worked the requisite number of
years already get SSA (regular social security). but most of the elderly
have not been here that long,
On a more human level, it would affect many elderly immigrants
who sulfer from mental health problems as a result of their traumatic
experiences in their war-torn native countries, These elderly individuals
cannot work. and have great difficulty learning English well enough to
apply lor citizenship,
We demand that this portion 01 the welfare reform package be
eliminated, At the minimum. denying benefits to those who cannot vote or
otherwise participate in the political process is undemocratic, The API
community is not adverse to bearing our share of the inevitable cuts
which must be made in the area of social services, However, we will not
,allow our community to bear a disproportionate burden,
ord H, Kuramoto, D,S'w,
National Director
�MAR 21 '9412:11 T I A LOOP
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MAR 2 fREC'O
·March 21, 1994
Ms. Carol Rasco ' . ,
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Assistant to the Pr.esicjent for Domestic PolicY
VIa facalmUe
Dear Ms. Rasco:
I am writing on behalf of Travelers & Immigrania Aid (TIA) 10 urge you 10 retniiri from
cutting Supplemental. Security Income (SSI) and other benefits to legal immigrants in
order to help fund welfare reform initiatives. While· we strongly support: your effOrte to
·enhance the. effec)iV8rie8s and effICiency of the federal weHare program, .we believe
tl'lat pitting orie vUlnerable community. against another In order to do so Is both
· unnEICII888IY and unjustifl8ble.
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immigrants coOtribUte tremendously to the groWth and vitality of this country and, as
· numerous studies have:shown, pay far more in taxes than they use in public
assistance. The majOrity 'oflmmigrants and refugees come to this country to be .
· r9Un~ed with their immediate families, who are more than willing to sacrifice In order. 10
provide for their needs.' However, legal immigrants are subject to the same hardships .
as U.S. c:iilzens' end ocCasionSuy must turn to public assistance...This is especially the
case with the elderly.. blind or disabled.
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..The period of 'deeming of sPonsor's income for SSI was recently extended from until .
three
to five years.. T1i8 Republican weHare.reform proposal would eliminaie eligibility
· the time of citizenship, not only for SSI butler sixty other benefits including AFDC,
school breakfast and lunch. nutritional assistance for the elderly, and foster care. This
action Would seriOUsly undermine the hard work of immigrant families. and would
· perpetuate the "lJS versus them". attitude advanced by immigration restrictionlste~
True ""elfarorefcirm will be expensive, and 'we realiZe that choiceS will heve to be
made. Denying essential Sll<Vices to needy immigrants and refugees would be the
wrong
We.urge·you to seek alternative funding mechi8nlsms·for this critical
iriitiative....:
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Sid L. Mohn
Chief Execullve Officer .
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TUynnS , III"'IGUUS AID
101 s. tGsoIr.Sr., soo; 1818
CNaIgo. IhO 6060<
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fill 312·629..mO, ~ 312-629-450.0 '
�THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
March 22, 1994
Sid L. Mohn
Chief Executive Office
Travelers & Immigrants Aid
208 S. LaSalle Street, Suite 1818
Chicago, IL 60604
Dear Mr. Hohn:
Thank you for taking the time to write and
share your thoughts with me on funding
national welfare reform. It is very
important that this Administration hear
from groups like yours who have valuable
information to contribute. I have shared
your letter with staff members of the
Domestic Policy Council.
Again, thank you for writing.
Sincerely,
Carol H. Rasco
Assistant to the President for
Domestic Policy
CHR:ram
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�900 CJRCUi 75 PARKWAY
(404) H59-0J95
V'X (4114) 955-9303
SiJITEI350
ATiAlfl'A, GEORGIA 30339
April 26, 1994
Bruce Reed, Deputy Assistant to the President
for Domestic Policy
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C. 20500
RE:
Welfare Reform and Benefits to Permanent Legal Residents
Dear Mr. Reed:
I am writing to express the concern of the Atlanta Jewish community over
legislative proposals to cut the availability of SSI, public assistance,
Medicaid and food stamps to legal immigrants in order to finance welfare
reform.
',..
I~ is our understanding that the Administration's task force on welfare
reform and many members of both Houses are considering legislation similar
to H.R. 3500, the Republican Welfare Reform bill, which would finance
welfare reform by denying these' benefits
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to"'iegal irrunigrants.
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Proposals:to cut.' ess·ential benefits' to-'elderly~ olind and disabled' ~.
immigrants will put many' families in the unten-able position of having to
choose betweon family reunification and poverty. These policies threaten
the health and well being of the most vulnerable members of our
communities, particularly the elderly, blind and disabled immigrant family
members of American citizens. such choices· offend the basic values of this
country and the broad array of ethnic communities which make it strong.
Our nation's immigration policy is predicated upon the concept of family
reunification. Studies conducted by a'wide range of, academic institutions
as well as by the U.S. De:partment of Labor show that inunigrants pay more in
taxes than they use in benefits. The nation enriches itself economically
and culturally by reuniting immigrant fami~ies.
th~t many,of our leaders are perpetuating an
atmosphere that can only be interpreted by our'communities as a threat to
We are very concerned
legal immigrants a:r:td Americans
alike~.
We urge' you _:to reject;: any proposal
that would finance welfare reform,by cutting benefits to legal'immigrants.
JMK:mas
�SOUTH FLORIDA CONFERENCE
A VOLUNTEER. ACTIVIST ORGANtzATION WORKING FOR EMIGRATION, JEWISH SURVIVAL AND
HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE FORMER SOVIET UNION
10091 N. Kendal! Dove, Suite 309, Miami, FL33176 • (305)2]9.1435 • Fax No. (305)279-1921
Marth 28, 19'H
Mr, Bruce Rood
Deputy Assistant for Domestic PoUcy
Old Exotulin OHit. Building, Room 216
Washington, D,C, 20,00
Doar Mr, Reed:
It has tet.ntly b••" brought to my att01lli.Il that the M .. illi.tratio"'s
yelfare reform task-force is considering limiting eligibility for Social
Security and. other federal governmont proleams to United Stalos (imons,
As .. Board Memher of the Daioll of Councils. (formerly tho Union of
Councils for Soviet JOYs) and Vice Chairman and CODlro,sio»•• Li.i.on for
the South Florio Confenulce. DOn~80yernmen1.al organaations which
hayo I.". b.en deeply involved ill the .trug810 ror human riSllto and
freedom of emigration in the former Sovoit Onion. I am. doeply concerned.
This potenti.l policy undercuts tho hiswric proaise th.t the United States
has represented to immigrants and refu,ees throughout the yoars.
Tho possible victims of this policy aro hardy'orting te8allmmigrants.
both U.S. citaens and those who have yet. to obtain citizenship. Many of
Ute immi8n.Ats from the rormer Soviet Union ud other regions of tho
Yorl4yho benorit from these pr.grams legitimately need the as.i.tance to
IUIport their households. Leg.l immigrants should not be forced 1.0 chooso
bet"een family reunification or poverty. and should not be teft without
assistanco ;n times of hardship i.llcludial disability or old a,o.
h must be reme.berod that immigrants as a communit,. usc public
services at a 10...er r.te that the general population. Furthermore. studies
sh(", tbat immigrants pay more in taxes than thoy use in benefits lite
social security.
Emigr.nts from the former Soviet Union. lite le....l immilrants
generaHy. have come to the Dnited States saoting protection and freedom.
and hope to join the American community as hardYortins contributors to
the nation. As I08itimate aslhe goal ofwolrare reform is. it is
unatcoptabl0 to seet 10 oblain that goal at the e.pe".. of logat
immigrants.
On bohalf of Ihe member. or the Onion of Coundl. and South F10ride
COllferonce. I urae you to eppose any Ad81inisltatioA ,roposal that
discrim.inates against legal immigrants by discontinuing Sodal Security or
other assistance to the .ost vulnerable members or this cemmunity. and to
request t.bat the Administration seek alternate funding mechaJlisms for its
rofor. pregram.
I respectfully ....ait your response on this most critic.l issuo. Thank
you ror your ti.me and consideration of this viewpoint.
~dSandy can"d
Board Member. Union of Councils
Vice Chair41an/Collgressional Liaison, South Florida ConCeroftco
formerly South florida
ConlQulnco on Soviet Jewry
A Member of tho
Union of Councils
�North of Market Senior Services
March 24, 1994
Mr. Bruce Reed
The White House
Washington D.C. 20500
pear Mr. Reed:
We are very upset to learn that the Federal government is considering
. eliminating Supplemental Security Income benefits for all non-citizens. We
believe that the elderly, and disabled permanent residents of the United
States should continue to be eligible for SSI based on financial need.
At North of Market Senior Services we see low-income elderly citizens on
S8I struggling to live independently in the community in spite of advancing
.years and increasing frailty.
The largest group of non-citizens on SSI at North of Market Senior Services
are Southeast Asian refug-ees specifically Chinese-Vietnamese, Laotians and
Cambodians_ They were forced to leave their countries after the Vietnam
war~ sometimes spending years in refugee camps in Southeast Asia before
coming to the United States. Immigrating to the United States was a matter
of. survival after being victims of war.
l
Many of the elderly Southeast Asians came from rural areas and many had not
been educated. Illiterate in their oWn language they could not find jobs
in this country and did not learn sufficient English to pass the
complicated U.S. cltizenship test. Most had relatives in the war and some
were disabled themselves,
The only source of income for these elderly individuals is SSI and l in
spite of the reductions by the State of California l they survive and
contribute to improving their communities.
Some help take care of
grandchildren, enabli.ng their children to work. Often their adult children
have low-paying jobs and cannot support their parents without facing great
financial hardship. S8! Ii.nks the elderly· to Medi-cal which provides the
means for maintaining routine health care and treating the chronic
illnesses so common to the aging population.
The elimination of SSt for permanent residents will be disastrous for local
economies that reJ y on its purchasing power and tax revenue.
The
infrastructure of the inner city will weaken as a result. Many permanent
residents will be forced into homelessness and greater poverty~ Any effort
to abolish SSI for permanent residents is shortsighted~
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It is essential that SSI for eligible permanent residents continue.
We
urge you to use your influence in seeing that the Federal government
maintains its current policy.
'.
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Sincere
~i~~Ph M~~~r~~
. President, Board of Directors
JM:ps
Frsnclt J. Curt)" Cmiu
333 TURK STREliT • SAN FRANCISCO. CALIFORNIA 94102 • (415) 885·2274
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Iff' 07 '94' 03.'2llPM NAPL AsIAN:PAC eTR '.
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'BOAI$ OF DIRECro.s : . " .
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AsSlStanIIO IM'·President, Donlestrc PoliCy.
for
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tile proposal and comprise Ihe .lAS,9S0.,.; Philippines (35;900), Vietnam (34,870);
· Cbina(33,190); SouliiKocea (22;6iO) and CatIlbodia,(19,400),M~Y?fih. Vi.etnam... ·
IU\d"Carnbodian 1l1lJl1lgrants are refuge.. who wece granted political asylum to enter the
" Ul$ed 'StatU: It is hypOcritiCal rdrthe goveirun:ent ih'ilt ,made,thOir eScape from the, '
intolen#e conditiollJ in iheir coUntries Of origiil, offered them hope and opportunities to '
, iri\pl))ve the quatj!)' ofth..c tives,IO,'move towards withdrawihg ioiile 6r the,life, '. '
woWlrllllOl'l,< D.C, .
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The attll(;k'is urt>Onscionable; amoral ~d genoeu!.t, We intend 10 educite Asla!>.pacffic
J1tan#rs and OIhmWho'support the· ctrorts to maintaitiSsl beliotita fei,i ininiigrants, end
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eiu:ourage tJ!om to OXercise thel~rights "fITee 1p~cCh" asSembly Bod the ~leC:tO,ra1 .' .
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· W~;biing"thi. iasue lO'yoU:as'~tter ofoon.sd.;.ce,:blisi< buIru1Ili)eed andi~l for' .
· po6tical Jl!¢e..wj! on'behalf of ASi8n,PW< lil~ and all other elderly,.disabled and
. ""'. blinll wh9 Will.becategoricOllydenied"",." to' SSIbenotit.; if the Welfi.re cefonn .'
" .. . mea,SUrn that are"' -, ~m.1sw,-.'
proposed
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,The a~i:k on ll"iSeW1n",ab1< ~ powerlej~vietirlu cali i~l;;'driving 145,980 Asian
· clderl\> lUithlit !nio'!he abysmal throes .ofpoveny; hopel";ne..~: homelessne;s, despair
and misery, The .peejl\c Alian ~ conmiuniti,e. that, will'be heavily ~p,..fted by
W,.slil?tian. D.c. .
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, We waDt to know if"", can eoWtt ofyoitr .uppOrt and howyouv.ilJ valldatO youc ',,'
••pport, ,.'
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Booocutive Director.
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T:ackinq System
DmU::r:i-:::::C 20LICY C8t.JNCI!.
INCOMING PROFILE
To:
From:
Carol H. Rasco
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Date;
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Due Date:
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Signature Level:
Copies Sent To:
comments:
This letter concerning 55I entitlements will be 'answered
by a, standard.letter'being drafted by the Working Group
on 'lielfare Reform.
�MILWAUKEE lewlSH fEDERATION
March 24, 1994
The Honorable Brace Reed
Depal)' AssiSiant to the President
for Domestic Policy
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. Reed:
We applaud President Clinton'S efforts to make welfare reform one of his administration's
top priorities for 1994, However. it has come to our attention that in doing so, the
administration is actively considering cutting benefits to legal permanent residents until they
obtain US dtizenship. Included among these benefits are supplemental security income,
food stamps, Aid to Families with Dependent Children and Medicaid. As part of a large
coalition of ethnic and voluntary agencies, we are opposed to the concept of financing
welfare reform by denying legal immigrants access to Federal programs and selVices.
Over the last four years, 1,300 refugees from the former Soviet Union have reunited with
their family members and resettled in Milwaukee, Another 300-400 are expected to arrive
in each of the next two years. Over one million dollars each year is generated by the family
members, individual philanthropic contributions, government agencies and private
foundations in the first year to assist these newcomers in making a successful transition.
The vast majority, over 75%! find employment and become self-sufficient. Howevert an
increasingly significant percentage of these people are the e-lderly parents of other refugees
or other low income immigrants. In many instances, these legal residents are unlikeJy to
become US citizens because of limited language skills and cultural barr;ers whkh deter
them from taking the exam for citizenship. Family members living in limited financial
circumstances and facing the burden of supporting these relatives indefinitely will be placed
in the untenable position of being denied the opportunity for family unification unless they
choose to live in poverty. For those newcomers who are already here, restricting immigrant
access to national benefit programs will increase their dependence on state.locat and non
profit assistance programs. Communities such as our own, which already devote substantial
r!jsources to helping new immigrants, will be pressed to provide even morc service. ThlS
kind of cost shift would unfairly impact social service agencies, many of which are aJready
overburdened.
1360 N. Prospecf
"VCI'lIC
Belsy L. Gr<:lm
President
414·2:71·8338
RichiHd H. Meyer
Executive Vice Presidenf
FAX 414·27:.7081
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While we support efforts to help poople move out of poverty, we reject those proposals
which reduce poverty by denying benefits to one needy group in order to assist another.
Therefore, we need your assistance in alerting members of Congress and the administration
to the consequences of these proposed financing mechanjsms for welfare reform.
Thank you for your assistance.
Sincerely,
;fJ--dth6'
Richard H. Meyer
Executive Vice President
Milwaukee Jewish Federation
RHM/BLG:jj
cc:
Senator Herbert Kohl
Senator Russ Feingold
~;~:~
President
Milwaukee Jewish Federation
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~ • • ~ Migration and Refugee Services
National Office
CONn:REl"CE 3211 4th Street, N,E. Washinglon, DC 20017·1194
Atr*,
Pub)'"
T,,1. {lOl) S41-:m5
F&lI; (iOO} S41~3i:4S
Mminjllntion
PQli::;ylPtuI!Bm ~:kJplmnl
Td. (lOl) 541·3354
rl)( (202) 541-3399
Tcl. {l0l} 541-33115
FIX (202) !.41.3245
PII.oont! ellr<:
Tel. (202) $41·3230
F...; a1l2) 54[·JJ.51
Mr. Bruce N. Reed
Domestic Policy Council
Room 216
Old Executive Office Building
17th and pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500
March 2, 1994
Dear Mr. RQed:
We understand that the Administration is considering funding its welfare reform
initiative by denyiny Supplemental Security Income (5SI), and possibly other
federal benefits, to immigrants until they become u~s. citizens. _ Thia
requirement would force the citizen or lawful permanent resident sponsors of
immigrants 1:0 choose between shouldering 11 tremendous financial burden and
reuniting with their close family members~ while we support the Administration's
desire to improve the effectiveneoa of the u.s. welfare system. we deplore any
funding mechanism that would deny benefits to ona needy community in favor of
another.
Our immigration laws have traditionally embraced family reunification aa their
cornerstone. Extending the financial burden carried by u.s. citizens and lawful
permanent residents who wish to reunite with and care for their blind t disabled
or aged relatives ia a hardship that will undermine the ability of families to
support' each other in ,time of need. Many immigrant and U.S. citizen families
have already sacrificed a great deal to meet the previous deeming requirement of
three years. Moreover, Congress recently increased thia burden by extending the
deeming requirement to five years.
The United States is enriched by the cultural and economic contributions of
immigrants. Many studies, including thoee conducted by tbe federal government,
show that immigrants contribute more in taxes than they use in benefits.
Penali:r.ing sponsors of family immi9"ranta contradicts our belief in strong
families and the strength that our diver. tty 9ivos us.
We strongly urge you to seek alternative funding mecha.nisms that achieve the goal
of an effective welfare system: ena.bling poor families to overcome poverty and
provide the support and care so crueial to their loved ones. Thank you for your
om
saion in considering this important iasue.
~ . YS~w.-~, t·
ifhdh
erely,;
Executive
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OIR1C'O~
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Na:ICII!ll HeadQuarters
132 'M"!$: 43'd SlIc(J1
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March 4. 1994
N</Om;! S\rosson
!'f!lSlOtl<,
The Honorable Bruce Reed
Deputy Assistant to the President
for Domestic policy
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave.~ N.W.
Washington, DC
Dear
Mr~
1'~GI~scr
(.(el!)"'!' COffiC,\P
20500
Reed,
Enclosed is a copy of a letter we sent President Clinton to
express our deep conCern over his administration's recent
suggestion that welfare reform will be financed by cutting off
benefits for legal immigrants.
We urge you to consider our
concerns over the discriminatory nature of this suggestion.
We
would be pleased to discuss our concerns with you further.
SinCerelY~
~L~WiS
Legislative Counsel
�.
.."
lZ;!' Marylane Ave., N,E
We$"lltlgttm. DC 2I'XX.l2
12{12)S4:5S1
National H!ladQwlnmS
132 Wf;I$I 4310 $11'#.11
New YOI"" NY 10036
(2121944-9S00
March 3, 1994
President william J. Clinton
Ila
The White House
Go aSSG'
{'fC1J'M1~
1600 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Washington, DC 20500
Dear
Mr~
President,
We are deeply concerned about the recent suggestion from
representatives of your administration that welfare reform will be
financed by cutting otf benefits for legal immigrants. We urge you
to find a way to finance welfare reform which does not discriminate
against people lawfully in the Uni~ed States.
There. is no positive reason to target immigrants for exclusion
from the welfare safety net. We believe that excluding immigrants
from receiving benefits violates the promise of equal protection in
the Constitution~
Our laws have allowed, or even encouraged, these immigrants to
come to the United states because of our proud heritage as a haven
for refugees and a beacon of hope for those who have historically
made great contributions to this country. Since these immigrants
come to the united States in full compliance with the law,
excluding them will not curb illegal immigration.
The only recent immigrant group that is allowed to participate
in welfare prograllls are refugees.
Refugees are also the only
ilDlDigrant group that receives welfare benefits at a higher rate
than citizens. These refugees flee war and oppression, often in
haste~
There are strong reasons to allow a welfare safety net for
these particularly vulnerable immigrants and no rational reason for
excluding them from welfare coverage. Nei~er is there a rational
reason for targeting non-refugee immigrants for exclusion since
they receive·welfare coverage at a relatively low rate.
Immigrants receive welfare for the same reasons that citizens
receive welfare: loss of jobs, illness, disability, divorce or
other changes in life circumstances.
Often, these are only
temporary setbacks. If immigrants are excluded from protection by
the welfare safety nett their temporary setbacks are more likely to
develop into chronic marginalization.
1
�·w:
Many of these immigrants have children who are citizens. As
a result, the government cannot draw a line between immigrants and
citizens without drawing a line through American families.
Immigrants have traditionally been the object of both our
highest hopes and our ugliest scapegoating.
We urge you to follow
the former path of inclusion and not the latter path of.
discrimination.
Sincerely,
L(Uv.A nc h-'
Laura Murphy Lee
Director
Q//;_ fJ. \/ '
mRlUtJl¢
Legislative Counsel
•
�726 Merrick Avenue" East }.icndow, New York 11554
(516) 489.348Z • Fa,,; (516) 485-5883
Lynn
Ah<o
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Phdip KI(6 hj«~)
March 14, 1994'
:"". wr.iHmo:n
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C~",k Ab",moc"
Jud-i~ N",m..._ Ni<kn
BOARD OF DlRECTOI\S
Rab-b-. H(1WJrd R. all«Chl~,
Jud~
Norman Niden
Mrnm M, H:nl<u
R~bbj Br",~ (ijmburg
D~nny E, G",wbI,tt
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L,rm~,
Mu<*">'I S;"VI
Allyn Udd1
Singef
P.:It.X:.:lW Diro::wr
OFFICEfI,S
f'fnid..,u
Mr. Bruce Reed
Deputy AS$1stant for Domestic policy
Old Executive Office Bu11ding. Room 216
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. Reed;
Please find attached copy of a letter sent to President Clinton
We would appreciate the
Adminigtral:ion bypassing such an effort as i t can only
manifest deeper prQble~s.
on pOtential welfare reform plan,
Thank you for your cooperation and consideration,
LS: Is
Enclosure
�12(. Mnrky
Avtrm~
.. F..!t Me.dow, New Yeti: tI;54
(516) 1R9·JfB2 .. FAll: (5161 485·5883
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March 14, 1994
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WilHam
De~r
.J. Clinton
White nouse:
Mr.
JOSOO
President~
As an organization that has been deeply involved In the: struggle
for human rights and freedom of emigration in the former Soviet
Union, J am ~eeply concerned that your Administration's welfare
rdorm task-force is considering Hmiting eligibility for Social
Securi ty and other federal government p~ograme to United States
cttiy.ens. Thin potential policy undercutS'the historic promise
that the United States ha3 represented to immigralltJJ and refugees
throughout the years.
The po~sible victims of this policy are hardworking legal immigrants.
both U.S. eiti?en9 and those who have yet to obtain cit1zenship.
Many nf the immigrants from the former Soviet Union and other regions
of the world who benefit [rom these programs legitimately need the
R-nsistflnce to 911pport their households. Legal immigrants should not
be forced to choose between family reunification or poverty, and
should not bQ teft wi thout ssa.1stance in times of hardship including
dlsnbility or old age,
It must be remembered that immigrants as a community use public
se:r:vices at a lower rllte than the general population. FurthermQre.
studies shnw that Immigrants pay more in taltcs than they use in
benefits Hke Sochl Security.
Emi,grants from the for~r SavJet Union. Uke legal immigrants.
generally have come to the Unlted States seeking protection and
freedom. and ho~ to join the American colUtllunity no hardwot",kinS
contributors to the nation. As legitimate a~ the goal of welfare
reform is, it is unacceptable to seek to obtain that goal at the
expense of legal immigrants.
We urge you to abandon all proposals that would descriminate against
legal .i.mmigrnnts by dlscontlnuing assistance to the most vulneuble
memb~r9 of this community.
�,
726 Merrkk Avenue • Ea~t Meadow, N~w York !lS51
(5J6) 489,3482 • Fax; (516) 485·)883
Lyon Singer
ExfXl.!ri~'~ Director
OFflIC£RS
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Virc r..:.4k~L.
lbbbi M1f!}n t-t Ftrutn
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March 24, 1994
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BOARD OF UlRa-roas
Ibbbi Hm-a«llt
:1r. nruce Reed
Deputy Assistant for Domestic Policy
Old Executive Off1ee Building - Room 216
Washington. Dc 20500
~hj."
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R~hh, M.mn M. !';on.....
R.bbi Brut<' GlI'.mura:
!)tl'lTl'f E. C"'Ot.m!Ol1:\
l"uiJ Kelk,
Dear
S<-ym<lY. 1.i~bm.J'\
Welfare Reform and Immigrant Rights.. l understand the Cabinet
has been dtscu$sing the issue and may stiLl reccommend to
Presiden~ Clinton that he finance his Welfare Reform Plan by
barring all non-cith:ens from welfare programs including
Social Security. Aid to Families with Deper.dcnt Children.
Meditaid. and Food S:.amps ~
I\bt: Neuldd
H~l'[l E. N"yfdd
N.",nuJ\
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Tobi~
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Reed:
As a follow-up to my letter of March 14. i994, regarding
urgQ, the Administration to find a mechanism to fund its
plan in a way that does not discrim:Lnate against legal
immigrants,
w~
The Long Island Committee for Soviet Jewry would appreciate
hearing
frO~
you concerning th:Ls very urgent matter.
SLY'd
~2r,'~
LS:ls
�: 3-21-9' :11:32AM :5 F LAWYERS'
CO~~IT.•
Lawyers' Committee For Civil Rights
of the San Francisco Bay Area
301 MIS$fOt,I STREET, 8UJT! 400
SAN FRANC!SCO, CAtlFOANlA ioIIl(lJ
14'5) s.u.U4t
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BY FACS!Ml!.fi
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March 21, 1994
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Carol Rasco
Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy
The White House
1600 Pennsylvannia Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20300
~
1oaW,V4". t.l.I-.,
Dear Ms. Rasco:
We are writing 10 express our urgent and emphatic opposition to the Clinton
AdminiSlnlion's COIISideration of a proposal to disqualify lawful permanent residents,
refugees and other persons lawfully residing in the Unitt<! States from SSI, AFDC, food
stamps and Medil:aid as a mcchanism for fund!n& national welfare refQl'I!.4. We
understand that the President is meeting with the cabinet today 10 finalize the
....:ommendations for !be Administration's welfare reform proposal. We urge you to
vigorously oppose Ibis unconscionable proposal.
It is unaceeptable to take away benefits from the most vulnerable ill our society:
\be poor, the aged, Ibe disabled. Welfare reform must not be financed by imposing
great« burdens on one ,osment of Ibe poor and needy. l!acb person wbo will lose
benefits under Ibis proposal wiD either have paid taxes themselves or bed family members
who have contributed federal taxes for their support. The proposal also will undermine
\be core policy of our immigrutioo laws which is the reunification of families. Even
Immigntion and NatuIalization Service Commissioner Doris Meissner bas called \be
proposal "inappropriate."
Finally. such a proposal fuels the anti-immigrant hyteria and immigrant
scapegoating sweeping lb. country by implying thet the receipt of any welfare benefits
by any immigrant, legal or illegal, is a problem. If the Clinton Adminstration adopts this
proposal. it will have aligned itself with the eXlIemist members of Congress thet have
inttoduced H.R. 3500 and other proposals to deny public benefits to immigrants.
We recognize the welfare reform is an ambitious and difficult undertaking but we
urge that alternative financing mechanisms be Identified that will not have such divblve
and deva.ting cow;equences.
Sincerely.
~1.--
Ignatius Bau
Staff Attorney
�•
•
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASUINGTON
March 22. 1994
Ignatius Bau
state Attorney
Lawyers' Co~ittea for Civil Rights of the
San Francisco Bay Area
301 Mission Street, Suite 400
San Francisco, CA 94105
Dear Mr. Bau:
Thank you for taking the time to write and
share your thoughts with me on funding
national welfare reform. It is very
important that this Administration hear
from groups like yours who have valuable
information to contribute~ I have shared
your letter with staff members of the
Domestic Policy council.
Again, thank you for writing_
Sincerely,
Carol H. Rasco
Assistant to the President for
Domestic Policy
CHR:ram
�.03/13/94
,
laloOi
CATHOLIC CHARITY
fl'113 $'6 4611
HI: 19
W"H I 4 REC'O
HOUSTON IMMIGRATION AND REFUGEE COALITION
3520 Montrose Blvd.
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 228·5200/ FAX (713) 526·1546
AX TRANSMISSION
rn:
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FAXED:
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3- 13 -'11
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THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS, OR IF yOU 00 NOT RECEIVE ALL PAGES,
P EASE CALL (713) 228-5200,
�.03/13/U
.
CATHOLIC ClIARIIT
15:19
HOUSTON IMMIGRATION AND REFUGEE COALITION
3520 Montrose Blvd.
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 228-5200/ FAX (713) 526·1546
aroh 13 8 1.994
carol Rasco
lSSistant to the President for Domestic Policy
~S.
ear Ms. Rasco,
l
I am writing on behalf of the Houston Immiqration and
coalition, which is a network comprised of many area
orqanizations representinqt serving, and concerned about the
~mmiqrant and refugee o~unity of Houston.
Our Houston
qoalition is part of the statewide Texas Immigration and Refugee
Coalition, and includes leqal and social service providers, human
~i9hts and civil rights organizations, religious orders and
orqanizations, and various ethnic organizations.
~efuge9
We are very concerned that the Administration's task force
~n welfare reform is considering cutting the availability of SSI
nd possibly other essential benefits to immigrants legally in
he u.s. in order to finance its wel~arQ reform initiative. Such
proposal severely threatens the health and well beinq of some
f the most vulnerable members ot o~ community/ especially
~lderly, blind, and disabled immigrant family members of U.S.
citizens. We agree that significant reform of the welfare system
~s appropriate and overdue, in an effort to reduce real poverty
~n the U.S.; it is socially and morally unacceptable, however, to
inance such policy change by creating ana perpetuating poverty
n major u~s. ethnic communities.
1
~
i
So~e
media coverage has attempted to show significant levels
qf so-called 11551 abuse" by immigrants~ by citizens allegedly
petitioning for elderly parents with the intention of turning
~ver the~ support to u.s. taxpayers as soon as possible.
Such
reports are inaccurate and offensive; they belittle the very rea1
~tru9g1es ot those immigrant and refugee families~ many among the
qardworking poor, who legitimately need some assistance in
~upportin9 their households.
Increases in SSI use among
~i9rants merely reflects increases in the overall immigrant
population, and many sources of research have conclusively shovn
hat immi9rant use of pu~lie services is consistently lover than
at of the general eligible U.S. population.
�., 'I.
03/U/94
,
15; 20
Dlla $26 4611
CATHOL]C CH.>\RITI
,
I
.
.
,
Family reunification 1s rightly the fundamental basis of our
immigration policy. Studies by the Department of Labor
~nd other academic and research institutions have shown that
~iqrants and refugees pay far more in taxes than they Use in
qe~etits.
As a result, our nation is enriched not only
culturally but economically by reunification of immigrant
~amilies.
Here in Houston~ we believe that our community is
~epreaentativQ Qf the U.S. in this sense, as our city contains a
~ich and vital blend ot ethnic communities, and thousands of
~mmiqrants.
If the Administration proposes to cut essential
~nafits to elderly, blind and disabled immigrants; as a direct
result nany families will literally be forced to choose between
~amily reunification and poverty.
This counteracts both the
basie values of our nation and drastically i~acts the many
~thnic co~unities which have always made it stronq.
~ation's
I
:
In the larger senseI we are concerned about the incre.asin9
levels of misinformation and scapegoating reqarding immiqrant$ in
our society. This has led to unfair characterizations of
~mmiqranta themselves and of their their contributions to the
~arqer community.
Even more disturbing is the ~enophobic sense
of distinotion--a divisive and artifical "us vs. them" dichotomy
tween u.s~ citizens and newcomers.
'
t
e
We were shocked by the first proposals to cut benefits to
eqal immigrants, when these were supported by Republican members
f Congress in their attempt to hang issues of immigration
ntrol on we1fare reform. We are a~arm&d that the Clinton
inistration--which has taken a more constructive view on
mmiqration issues--would contribute to a mentality and a
qestructive trend which threatens the legal immigrants ana the
U.s~ citizens of our community alike.
We urqa that the
4dministration strongly reject any proposal which seeks to
linance welfare reform by cutting benefits to legal immigrants.
l;::~dL
I!usan Maxwell
HIRe Coordinator
�• . r'-'-:';;'~;;;! 08/9 4
fl'41$ UJ 3628
11 : 19
CIRRS
IQI)OllOOl
Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Rights & Services
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TO:
-Ms. carol Rasco, Assistant 10 the President for Domestic Policy, tax
202/456-2878.
.
-Mr. George Stephanopolis, Senior Advisor to the President for Policy and
S=gy, fax Z02I456-2883.
-David Ellwood, Assisl>Ult Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, Dept.
of Health and Human Services, fax 202/690-7203.
-Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, ClIair, Senate Finance Cornrnittre,
fax 202122+9293,
-Dan Rostenl:Dwski, Chair, House Committee on Ways and Means,
fax 20lJ22S-4064.
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FROM: LINA M. AVIDAN, SENIOR PROGRAM OIRECTOR;G{). .
oC"",*",1Jub.
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DATE: MARCH 8, 1994
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The Coalition for ImmigIlUlt and Refugee Rights and Services is a network
of over 90 non-profit community organizations in Ibe San Francisco Bay Area.
We urge you not to pit one group of poor people against another by
eliminatiog S5I and other public benefits to legal immigrants in the Unitlld States.
This proposal seriously threatens the weJl being of the most vulnCI1!hle members
of our communities, particularly the blind, disabled and elderly imrnigrant family
members of U.S. citizens.
California would b. one of the hardest hit stales if these proposal. are
=ted_ As many as 262,000 legal immigIlUlu r=;ve 58! in our slate. This
could easily OO5t city, county an slate governments millions of dollars.
Family reunification is the cornerstone of the nation's imrnigration policy;
studies conducted by the Department of Labor as well as a wide range of credible
aca;Ii!mic instillltions are nearly unanimous in showing that immigrants pay mOte
in taxes than they use in henefits. The U_S. citizens whose parents receive S5I
are long time tax contributors. It is also important to note that immigrants
l!Jlderutiliz:e public benefits.
We are deeply concerned with the unscrupulous attempt to link
immigration control with welfare reform. The suegestion that immigrants are
taking advanlage of the system does a great disservice to hard working members
of U.S. ethnic communities, and exacerbates the wave of xenophobia that is
sweeping our country. We urge you to reject any proposal which WQuid fll1llllte
welfare reform by cUlting benefits to immigrants,
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Administrative Offict (415) 243.g215 Fax (4tS) 24Jw&628 Immigrant Assi~ta.n.CC Une (415) 554-2444
�·.
Oocumen~
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Tracking
POLICY
Sys~em
C~UNCIL
INCOMING PROFILE
Carol H~ Rasco
To:
FrOtt:
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Subject:
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Assigned "1'0:
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Signature Lavel:
Copies Sent To:
Comments!
This letter concering SSI entitlements will be answered
by the Working Group on Nel fare Reform.
is being drafted.
A standard letter
�March 16 , 1994
Mr. Bruce Reed, co-Chairman of Task Force
Deputy Assistant for Domestic Policy
Old Executive Office Building, Room ~16
Washigton, DC 20500
!!ll fruldtnS
Imu Arol(),vlel\
1 Xd. Avenue
Kicti.avUh. f(i' 1Ie01
Dear Mr. CO-Chairman:
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if Dir,ctor.
~
Hikhail Avrvtin.
II'(
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hbbi hOQ Fd4•• o. n
Dr. Ltv,ColdE.rb.
KI>
Victor Levitu,
II'(
Dina Linu.ky.
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llent! It,kevI,
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hrut !oytu:.
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tuha Shenker,
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IN
We, emigres from the former Soviet Union (FSU), are
deeply concerned that the Administration's welfare
reform task-force is considering limiting
eligibility for Supple~ental Seourity Income (SSI)
and other federal social programs to O.S~ citizens~
The proposed funding source of welfare reform
undercuts the historic promise that the United
states has represented to refugees throughout the
years.
The potential victims of this policy change are
refugees from the FSU and elderly permanent
residents who don't have other means of income~
Emiqres from the FSU, who came to the united States
seeking protection from bloody ethnic conflicts and
threatening activities of ultra-nationalist and
fascist groups in the FSU, can't leave behind their
elderly parents or disabled family members. That's
why 14.5% of Soviet refugees are older than 65 and
depend on S5!. Their children have high level of
eduoation, but they need support} medical insurance
and efficient re-training in order to put their
talents in service to their new homeland.
Eliminating support for non-citizens will create an
army of homeless and hungry people legally admitted
to enter this country.
Immigrants always make a positive contribution to
the strength of our great nation. Studies show
that immigrants pay much more in taxes tha~ they
use in benefits as 55I, Medicaid, Food stamps and
AFDS. According to the HHS survey of 1991, half of
refugees from the FSU start working during their
first year in the United states.
No question, the welfare program should be reformed
believe the proper computerization, which will
cut in half the army of welfare officers,
restrictions on eligibility and a period of
support, stringent control against abuse, job
training and efficient employment placement should
give money necessary for the reform. However, it
is unfair to seek obtaining that goal at the
~e
�· .'
expense of legal immigrants and to set off
non-citizens VS4 citizens* Such discrimination
contradicts the democratic principles of America.
We urge you to abandon the proposal that
discriminates against legal immigrants by
discontinuing Medicaid, SSI, and other assistance
to the most vulnerable members of our community.
The alternate funding mechanism for the welfare
reform has to be found.
Thank you for your attention regarding this matter.
We believe America will continue humanitarian
tradition of welcoming those who look for refuge
and hope in our great country.
Sincerely yours,
~~~
Inna Arolovich
Vice President
-2
�"
ACITON FOR POST·SOVIET JEWRY, INC.
24 Cres~ent Street. Suite 304 Wall/lam, MA 02134 (617)893-2331 FAX(617)647~9474
nt.
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"'' ' URM
March 23, 1994
Mkm.J H. N","""
V!CfA'IU!.YIJEN"lS
Mr. Bruce Reed
-
"-
Dt.&ioy~
Deputy Assistant for Domestic Policy
Old Executive Office Bldg., Room 216
Washington, DC 20500
~!;:Illd>ino
5r.cRETARY
"""""
(I-J(fiCtJ11Vl! SOARD
MaMaIDl A 1'!ARGl!:
Dear Mr. Reed t
""""'
I recently learned that the Clinton Administration's
welfare reform task force is explorin9 ways to limit
eligibility for Social Security and other federal pro
grams to u~s~ citizens.
This would exclude those who
legally enter the U~Sa as refugees" t:>arolees or under
asylum.
1',.l(1'.cvTlVE DIRECTOR.
..........
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COMM:;:'IrrY Uo<.!50N
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R<;>. l<khvd E. N....
R... JoMW.~
Hot!. ~ P.1YNriII. Jr.
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R.abN~~"J:
Assisting Jews in theformerSovtct Union
Rc;>. Gury It S!-.>dd>
Rep. Did Swc«
Rq.?<!.erG.T~
s..... I'a>lII It T''''''In
ItaI!b> R...w.! M. W.....
IW>WCo<yD. Voleo
MEMBER
UNK>N Of! COUNCftS
Our organi~ation forcefully urges your task force not
to exclude from government benefits immigrants,
refugees and those seeking asylum. Such a move would
severely restrict the ability of those fleeing persecu
tion to come to this country and would certainly create
undue hardship for those least able to cope. In many
instances, it would mean leaving part of a family in
the former Soviet Union (FSU) because relatives here,
often recent emigres themselves t could not afford to
carry ,them financially., with the. rise in grass roots
anti-Semitism and chauvinism "in FSU t that would be a
disaster.
Our organization has worked with Jews in FSU since the
early 1970's and has been deeply involved in monitoring
their persecution and assisting" in their struggle to
emigrate.
Many families we worked with have come to
the u.s. with little money, but they obtained jobs,
educated their children, cared for their parents and
have succeeded in Ame~ica beyond their wildest dreams.
However, it is not clear what these families would have
done without the initial boost from the u.S. government
to provide basic medical care and social services.
Within one year, most of these families are tax-paying
wage earners and no burden to anyone.
Indeed they en
rich the fabric of American life with their talents,
their commitment to hard work and through their many
contributions to their new country.
To deny these
people government support until they. get "on their feet
is ,short-sighted. and wQuld"ultimately hurt the U.S.' as
well. ,If the U.S*.is to remain'a' haven-for those flee-
�March 21, 1994
Page 2
ing persecution, it must provide basic services, or we
will condemn these people to fUrther persecution~
Aqain, I urge you not to limit government programs only
to
u.s~
citizens.
to all concerned.
The consequences would be damaging
�Los Angeles Association Veterans of World War II
Who Emigrated to the United States from. USSR
BOARD COMMITTEE
March 31, 1994
,
Messrs. David Elwood and Bruce Reed
Welfare Refotm Task Force
The White House
1600 Pennsyl.vania Avenue·
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Messrs. Elwood and Reed,
I am writing to you on behalf of Association of Veterans and Invalids
of World War II who emigrated to the u.s. from the former Soviet
Union.
Members of our Association have fought alongside American
troops during the Second World War against common enemy - Hitler and
his fascist army of thugs who have brought evil and depravation to
millions of people worldwide. After the war ended RussIan veterans
have had to live through even' greater hell under the totalitarian
commun1st regime.
Of those who suvived many emigrated to the United
States! where they settled down and tasted true freedom for the very
first clme in theIr lIves.
Today these people are old'and frail. They are in poor health and
wIthout means for survival other than their only source of income
Supplemental security benefltg~
Presently there are 680 members in
our Association and we all urge you to exclude that part of the
welfare reform program which denies federal assistance and social
security and benefits to legal permanent residents of the U.S. who
are not u.s. citizens.
Passage of the proposed package would equal to slow and horrible
death sentence for many elderly people whose only life-line and
source of income are their Social security benefits and MEDICAL. It
will force many out of their apartments and into the streets J as
children and relatives of these brave but old and frail people will
not be able to financially support them. Due to current state of
economy in California many people can't either find jobs or don't
have permanent work to support their families, let alone extended
families'.
Those who work often make just enough money to support
themselves and no one else.
Immigrants from the former Soviet Union came to the U.S. hoping to
find protection from injustice, human rights and freedom to practice
religion. They found all that in the most open and democratic country
In the world - United States of America. This gceat country provided
and ,continues to provide our people with means for survival in the
form of Social Security beneflts f medical assistance, affordable
housing, and much more~ We think it would be most unfair and unlike
the humanitarian U.S. government and its elected officials to deprive
le9al permanent residents who have lived in this country for yeacs
but are not yet U.S. citizens of these privileges and rights.
We strongly urge you ·to delete any proposed changes 1n the reform
program whIch may negatively affect or deny Social Security benefits
to legal permanent residents on the grounds that they are tantamount
to discrimlnation against considerable/segment of th.e population in .
the United' States of America.
,:,'
Respectfully,
Naum Sapozhnikov
~ fl.' f~
~~(t~~~
President of.the Assoc!at!o~
7' S$'.. $:ftt/S"tk ,./6 L:/.I/J . ;<'03. :#
LOS ANGELES. CA 90046· (213) 850-0595
�1010 South Flower Slreel. Stme 302
ASIAN PACIFIC
AMERICAN
LEGAL CENTER
lOS Argshis, Califomia 90015·1426
748-2022 • Fax (213) 74t\-Cu79 '
(2~3)
==,.-'"CALIFORNIA
...-...--
SOUTHERN
March 27, 1994
Bruce Reed
Assistant to the President
White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr, Reed:
The Asian Pacific American legal Center (APALC) is a non-profit organization providing
legal assistance and civil rights support for low~income people, especially those of Asian or PacifIC
(slander origin. The APALC has recently participated in several important civil righl'i matters.
Therefore, we reel compelled to speak oul against the Clinton administration welfare reform
package, The package would deriY Supplemenlal Security Income (SSI) benefits to a significant
number of elderly Asian Pacific American immigrants. Stripping them of these benefits would
deprive them of their only source of income.
Most of the elderly immigrants in concern have n01 worked in the United States long
enough to receive sodal security. Thus, Supplemental Security Income is their only means of
support If Congress were to pass this package, the only possible solution for many immigranL"
would be to pass the naturalization exam. The exam, however, is <tlmost impossible to pa~ for
these people due to the barsh English I~mguage requirements. Fuiling the naturalization test will be
a major setback to th~ individuals. Thousands of elderly immigrants will be unable to pay for
basic Ilecessities such as rent. food, medicine and clothes.
Mark Vongseuth is one person who would be aITiXted If the Clinton Administration denied
SSf benefits to non-citizens. l\brk: and his wife came to the United States: from Laos in 1980. They
are both in their mid 70's, Since the Vongseuth's are too old to work, their only means of income is
d"erived from SSt benefits. Struggling every month to survive, the SSl benefits barely cover living
expenses. Without the SSI benefit'i, Mr. Vongseuth believe.~ "you will see within a month how
many elderly wiil be killed or dead. BeC<lUse what we depend on is this [SSI benefits) - there would
�..
be no food. no place to live", 111e Vongseuth'!-. know very little English and Imve nollived in the
.
Uniled States long enough to take the n,Jtut<tlizatioll exam in their own language, Unfortunately
.
they arc unable to become American citizens due to the h'lfSh English language requirements needed
'for naturalization.
When ,;on:;.klering the welfHfC reform package, please keep in mind what will bappen to
people like Mark Vongseuth, His situation is not unique in the APA community. As Mr.
Vongseuth states, "with no SS!. the most important needs [Of our liveS would be 1051." The APA
community is wi,lling to bear our fair share oflbe cuts in socia! services. We will not, however, allow
our entire community to bear this disproportionate burden.
Sjncerely.
�1010 South Ffower Street, Sui!e 302
los Angeles, Calilomia 90015-1428
(2 13) 748-2022· Fax (213) 748-0679
ASIAN PACIFIC
AMERICAN
lEGAL CENTER
--Of-
SOiJTHERN CALIFORNIA
March 27,
1~14
Bruce Reed
Assistant to the President
White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave .• NW
Wa,hington, DC 20500
Dear Mr, Reed:
The Asian Pacific Arnerican Legal Center (APALC) is a non-profit organization, providing
legal assistance and civil right." ~upport for lowwincome people, especially those of Asian or PacifIC
Islander origin. The Legal Center has recently participated in several important civil right.. matter",.
Therefore, we feel compelled 10 speak out against the Clinton administration's welfare reform
package.
The package would deny Supplemental Security Income (S~J) benefits to a significant
number of elderly Asian Pacific American citizens. Denying 5S) benefits would deprive these
individuals of their only source of income. and jeopardize their independent status. As a re:iuh.
many elderly dOzens would be forced to rely an already struggling family members for support,
Almo1't all of the elderly immigrants dependent on 55I benefits lack citizenship due to the
harsh English language requirements needed for naturalization. Those who have not lived in the
U.S. long enough' to take the exam in their nalive language (20 years), are helpless during the
.naturalization process. [n most cases. elderly immigrants will not pas.<; the exam. Under the reform
package, this would leave these individuals ineligible for virtuarty any program funded with federal
money,
.
E.,tneT Kwan is one of many people who will suffer if this portion of the package is passed.
Esther came with her husband tcHhe United States in 1978. After her husband passed away,
on
she
lived
Social Security. Currently, however, her sole sourte of income comes from SSI benefits.
The only reason she is receiving these SSI benefits is due to her medical ailments. The SSt benefits
�barely let her pay for expenses such as, medical (not covered by Ivledkare), rent, food and dothes,
M!), Kwan depends on the SSt benefits \:)e{;ause her daughter, who holds two jobs, cannot even
s~ppor1 her own family,
Esther K wan among others begs the Clinton Administration to not pass this ponion of the
welfare reform p<lckage. As she stalc:.... "without the support ofSSL I will become homeless." At the
minimum. denying benel1ts 10 those who cannot vote or otherwise participate in the political process
seems undemocratic. The Asian Pacific Islander community will bear our fair share or the inevitable
cuts in social services. We will not, however, allow our community to bear a disproportionate
burden.
Sincerely,
�ASIAN PACIFIC
AMERICAN
LEGAL CENTER
1010 South Flower Street, Suite 302
Los Angeles. California 90015-1428
(213) 748-2022 • Fax (213) 748-0679
- - ' - 'O F -
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
March 25, 1994
Bruce Reed
Assistant to the President
White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. Reed:
The Asian Pacific American Legal Center is a non profit, civil rights organization
designed to protect the individual liberties of all.
We are concerned about the proposed welfare reform package which would deny
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for people who have yet to attain citizenship.
Denial of benefits to Asians and Pacific Islanders (APA) who are over 65 and are
non-citizens would mean that a significant percentage of the APA community would not be
able to maintain their ability to pay for housing, food, clothing, and minimal subsistence
requirements. According to the 1990 Census, 450,000 or 7.3% of the APA community is 65
or over. 8.4%.of APA elderly live below the federal poverty guidelines. In Los Angeles
County alone there are approximately 72,000 APAs who are 65 or older and comprise over
10% of the community. In many instances, SSI is their sole source of support. While many
APA elderly are parents of immigrant children who are able to support them for the first
five years of their residency, these elderly parents switch over to 5S! just as soon as they
become eligible because their children are rarely able to care for their parents for the
remainder of their lives. The working poor are forced to make a decision between reuniting
with their parents and never being able to gel out of poverty.
A recent letter from a Korean woman illustrates this point. Sao-1m Yang is an 82
year old Korean woman who immigrated here with her husband in 191':7. She was
sponsored by her daughter to come to the United States to reunite the family. Ms. Yang
�neither speaks nor writes English. In fact, she does not even write Korean. When ,\sked
why she coultl not Ie'lrn English. she says "the thought orlearning a new language when {
do not even know my own ~ents intpos.sible." Currently, Ms, Y<tog lives alone (her husband
died a few yellf:.l back).tt the Angelus Plaza. a government subsidized housing rOf low
income seniors, She rel'Cives SSJ assistance of about S603 per mooth. Her daughter is
struggling just to have food 00 her own table and raise her two children, thus unable to
support Ms, Y.mg. Ms, Yang is "frightened to de~lth" about the proposed welfare reform
package <lnu L~ worried about ber ability to survive if the reform package takes her 55I
benefits awny.
Those who believe thaI people like Ms. Yang shoukl just become citizens (anti
therefore qmtlify for the SSI benefils), need to look at the English language requiremcnl<t for
-n~turali:;ation, In most (.:asc!->, !c~lrning the necessary English skill!' to pass the natufalization
te."it WQuld be very diffICult, irnot impossible. Mo:;t elderly immigrants arrive to the United
States with English skills well below the level nete<t5.1ry to pass the naturalization test A
lack oflOW-COI'I Of free English-.ls-a-Second Jangunge classes, couploo with the fact that
learning a new language gets progre.'isively more difficult HS we age. place considerable
barriens if they were to learn the necessary Englbh. skills. Although a permanent resident
may take the nawralization examination in their own language, many elderly immigrants in
need of5SI aid do not qualify because they have not been here for the requisite 20 years,
,
We demand that this portion of the welfare reform package be eliminated. At the
minimum. denying benefits to those who cannot vote or othenvise parti<:ipate in the polhical
procesl'i is undemocratic. The APA community is not adverse to bearing our share of the
inevitable cuts which mllst be made in the area ofsocial services. However, we will not
allow our community to bear a disproportioJlate burden.
Sincerely,
�30C West SJ:lse: SI¥e.
[lll/wm tMIIIIII! !llIImBI!
Los Ange!!l$, CA 90012
Asian Americar! Drug
Abuse Program
As,an Pacijic fam:!y
Cenler
April 5,
1994
Bruce Reed
Assistant to Ihe President
Wbite House
1600 Pennsylvanis Avenue, N.W,
WUl'hington. D,C. 90500
DC!lr Mr. Reed:
As!sn Youth Carle:
Cl,'lal(!wr! Selvice
Center
Indochinese Youlh
Center
Korean Youth and
The bu,\t/WcSI Cpmmunity Partnership. (E/WCP), :1 project federally funded
through the Cenler for Substance Abuse Pruvcntion of the Departmenl of
Health and Human Services, is aimed at strengthening our target community's
ability to address facior:; contributing to alcohol, tobacco ,and other drug
prohlcfW\,
We have targeted lhe "New Asian Corrldor" 10 conduct needs
us:;essmenlS nnd improve community-based services and programs.
We nrc concerned about fhe proposed welfare reform package which would
dq.~y Supplemental Security Income (SST) benefils for people who have yet to
attain citizenship, Denial of benefits to A:;ians and Pacific Jsl:mders {APA}
~ho fire o~t;r ~5. ':i,~d an;: non-clllzens would mean that II :;ignificum
pen;:cnlngc' of the APA' com;~unity would not ,be abl~ to ,mai!ltp.i~ !hcir.
,
j~(\cpc~derit Ii ying· 'bccuu,~e~, ·~Sl ; i<·the.i("s'?!r,~our~c, ~C< S1.!pPo;t., To rp!~9vc tbis,
tiutcly network .for, them would .~'e:mH In" ih~' .l.na'tilhty·'to p~y ,lor housmg, food,
clothing, and minimal sub:;j:;lencc. ~equiremenis.
'
....
<,
PJci:ic Asiar A<cor-01
Plog:al!l
Those who believe thut~ these pcople" should just become ciiiz.ens (and
therefore quulify for the SSI benefits), need to look. at the Englbh lunguage
requirements for naturaliz.ation. Most of the elderly cannot read and write at
the 5th grade level. In order for a permanent resident to take the
n:Hurnli:uaion examination in their own ItI.nguagc, they need 10 be here for 20
years.
Li:t!e Tokyo Senic(I
Cent!!
Almost all of the immigrant elderly are not Citizens because of the English
language requirement. They are on SS( as their sC'ie sour.:c of support. Those
who ';\·orked the requisite number of years alrendy get SSA (regular sociul
:;ccurity). bUI most of the elderly have not been here that long.
Commun,1y Center
Paci!ct; Asl2.ll Conso!bum
Employment
Gil
We demand that this portion of the welfare reform package be eliminated. At
(he minimum, denylng benefits to those who cannol v{!te or otherwise
part~dp!;te.<in'·th"e political proce~:;' i~ undemo~r~Hic, . T~y ,APA :;;om!llul,li,ty is 11.01
advcr:;c to bearing our shure; of" the· inevitable cuts' which) must be' Ill'tlde in the
area of
serviceS'.'" However.;' we:'will nOl allow'
coinmunity to bear .a .
d,i,s pr~p,ortio nate' .?l! (den: "'::..::".~;:'; ." ~,.:'
_:."''' . " " ,. "'.
' -.... '
social'
Sincerely, . '.'~"
Sealeh 10 Involve
PilipinQ Ar;1ericans
~/l-- .
Allison 1. Tom
Project Director
~
poliel ~
IU AI'H
I;,,¢!;~,.
;,Itte
n,u~
I'lt;t1tl
our
�Coalition of Agencies Serving the Elderly
April?, 1994
Mt'. Bruce Reed
Deputy Assistant to the President
for Domestic Policy
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. Reed:
The Coalition of Agencies serving the Elderly (CASE)
is opposed to the elimination of non-citizens from
the Older Americans Act programs, as proposed in HR
3500 and the elimination of non-citizens from the
the Supplemental Security Income program as proposed
in HR 3500 and recommended by President Clinton's
Welfare Reform Task Force.
CASE's members include 60 agencies ser.ving the
elderly in San Francisco. Our clients are Chinese,
Hispanics# Russians, Koreans, Chinese-Vietnamese,
Cambodians~ Laotians, Filipinos, African-Americans
and Caucasians_ While the majority are citizens,
many are lawfully admitted permanent residents who
pay taxes, contribute to their communities and to
our economy. Most of these permanent legal residents
would like to become citizens t but cannot learn
enough English to pass the citizenship test.
(English classes in San, Francisco Community College
programs have waiting lists, but with budget cuts
elderly students are not a priority~)
Many of our agencies contract to provide Older
Americans Act programs under Title III, including
nutrition and meals programs and supportive
services. These programs are often lifelines for
seniors, helping them stretch limited incomes,
providing valuable nutrition and helping them
continue to live independently. We are horrified to
see Older Americans Act programs on the list of
"Programs Which Aliens are Ineligible" in HR 3500.
Many of our clients are legal residents and SSl
recipients. They are people with no financial
resources who are not able to work because of their
Mailing Address 25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 750, San Francisco, California 94102
Telephone: 1415)626.1033
,
President: David Newcomer Executive Di rector
San Franc) seo Senior Center·
.
890 Beach Street, San Francisco~ Ch
94109
Tel: 415-775-1866 Fax: 415-775-4020
f
�age, health, skills and/or inability to speak
English. They desperately need these benefits in
order to survive in minimal dignity and comfort.
We are deeply concerned that non-citizens elders
will be ineligible for Medicaid (except for
emergencies), Community Health Centers, the food
stamp program, public housing, section B housing,
low-income energy assistance and legal services. All
of these exclusions increase the chances that these
elders will live in dire poverty. And if these
exclusions result in the elder becoming homeless,
they are excluded from food and shelter grant
programs of the McKinney Homeless program.
Though our expertise is in assisting the elderly, we
are also concerned about the impact of these
exclusions on younger Americans - children,
families, young adults, the unemployed.
We urge you to oppose HR 3500. It is very short
sighted legislation which simply feeds the anti
immigrant attitudes sweeping our country. This is
legislation that will cause severe problems for
. communities with large legal immigrant populations
such as San Francisco. We urge you to oppose any
provisions in the Welfare Reform Task Force's
proposal which exclude non-citizens from benefits.
It is inhuman to force the most vulnerable of our
legal residents further into poverty and sickness.
Sincerely,
~
David Newcomer
CASE President
cc. Fernando Torres-Gil
�ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA
222 NQrth Sevenleenth Slrccl
*
Ptllhtdelphill. Pennsylvania 19103~1299· (215) 587·)655
OFFICE FOR HUMAN RELATIONS
April 15, 1994
Mr. Bruce N. Reed
Deputy Assistant to the
President for Domestic Policy
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.E., Room 2/MW
Washington, DC
20500
Dear Mr. Reed:
In their statement, immigrants and Refugees in the united
States Today:
A Call to Solidarity f the Bishops' Committee on
Migration reaffirmed that "any abdication of our tradition of
welcoming those in need who have so much to contribute only
reinforces negative sentiment and rej~ctionist actions here in our
country and in other nations. If Those comin9 .to the United states
do so primarily to escape persecuti6n<
"to' ·re'unite w'ith family
members. Most of them become productive members of society who add
their culture, labor, and personal and financial resources to the
success of our nation. ThQrefore, immigrants,and refugees should
not be viewed as a burden for our "nat.i'on 'but:"as a valuable
or
resource~
The proposal to ttdeem" the assets of sponsors as those of the
permanQut residents appear to us to be a singularly unjust measure
and unworthy of our country. To deny access to basic services -
food f medical care, assistance to the elderly, blind and disabled,
and assistance to needy children -- should not be part of the
policies of a country as great as ours.
We urge you to reject this proposed policy and instead work to
ensure that immigrants and refugees be included in programs which
respond to basic human needs.
Thank you for your consideration of our request/·and we look
forward to hearing from you in the near future.
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A (/ivisioll
{If Ca/holic Social
Servkt's of the Arc/uijQu:sc of f'hitadt'tphia
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April, 12. .I 994 •
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:Dcar Mr. Reed:
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Bruce Reed
Assistant to the President
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-A:.:; lhe Executive Director of the largest community based organi:t.ation·for Korean
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. Amcrican..~, I am writing to protest thc,proposcd welfare reform package winch would deny
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)-oc!iel}ts. for people who have.yet to aHain citizenship. ,
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Working daily ~ith a largely i,mmigraflt population;thc Korea!! Youth & Community -,,' ,
Center attempts to u!1d~rstllfd the ~conomictd and crno~i9Ilai ohstach:s, splXific to the group
and assi;;:t multipl~ Ul>pcc/..'i of their daily lives.. - , ;
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Denial of hc~cfiL" to,Asia and 'pacil1c Islanders (APA) who are over 65 and are non dti:t,cns
would mean 1hat a slgI}ificanl pen;t,;!1tagc uf the APA'com:nunity would rmt be able '[0"/,
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. ma!nlain lhefr indcpcndenlliving ,because SSI .is theirsolc -source of support
remove
Lhis safety'nctwork for them world rcsu~l in 'the in~hility to, pay for housing. f004 clothing., '
and minimal suhsistencc rcqujremcnt>;.......: _,
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Those who' hcHcvc:that "thc-~e people" should just b~'COl:nc'citi~ins-(and therefore qualify'
. Jor the SSI bCndiL>;;), need h) look at the Eflglish languagc.rcquj-rcmenl,·fornaturali,zation;'
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On a mme human level. it would aflecl individuals like E....thcr. Kwan, an dder whos!"!
limited Engli~h skil1~ forces hef)O rely 011 55! fQf sole support after h~r J1Usbancl's rccc~t
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Alm6s~';)11 of the immigrant clderJ'j arc not dtlzcns bcc"!usc of the English I;)-n'guag~
rcquii'CmcnL 'alm~st of all of the immigr:.mt elderly 'arc oD- SSLas their sole source of
support Tho.,~ who-wprkcd the rcquisil(: numbC!' of years a1ready get CA (!'cgulul' sodal "
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security):, but Il10st of the cld~rly ~avc not occn here th,!; long.
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fC..,idem to take the nalur;)li'lJIlion examination in. their ow'n la'mwage, they ne'cd to be here '
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�Hartin Pittioni
1220 Monument Blvd #B-14
Concord, CA 94520
AprU 11, 1994
President Bill Clinton
The White House
1600 Pennsylvannia Avenue N.W.
,Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear President Clinton:
I am writing to you as a tax-paying immigrant and a
supporter of your administration. I came to this country in 19B4
initial~y for purposes of completing an undergraduate degree.
However I I fell in love with this country, married my college
sweetheart, and stayed.
Mr. President, I could tell you that since I am on t~e verge
of becoming a Citizen, that I dO'not really care about the
various proposals from Republicans, Democrats and your
administration to restrict same or all forms of public assistance
to non-citizens. However, I must tell you that I feel deeply
concerned about these proposals.
During your campaign, I was elated that you vowed to
practice the politics .0£ inclusion! and chastised the Republicans
for their politics of exclusion. It seems, however, that the
principle of inclusion is threatened, to my dismay, by ,your own
administration •
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I ,realize that your proposal to, cut non-citizen eligibility
for SSI, AFDC, food-stamps and Medicaid to finance welfare reform
is "moderate" compared to other shockin91y extreme proposals
pending before Congress. However t I strongly oppose on principle
any form of benefits discrimination against immigrants. I pay
just as much in taxes as my citizen neighbors, and therefore I
feel entitled to the same amount of protection as they are. I
oppose any attempt to create a class of "~xcludad" non-citizens,
be it by your administration or Congress.
Mr. President, please do not proceed further down this
divisive road. To ma, your campaign was about an America for all
of us, not for some of us. I deeply respect your enormous work
and progress in your domestic policy agenda and hope that you
,w~ll stay the course promised in your campaign.
~:
Carol Rasco
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National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA
April 15. 1994
The President
The White House
Washington, D.C.
20500
Mr. Presioent:
Washington
Office
On behalf of the religious organizations we serve,
w~
are writing to
express our views on the late February draft prepared by the
Administration's Working Group on Welfare Reform. We are grateful to you
for appointing a group of experienced and dedicated public servants to make
recommenoatioo$ on this issue, which is so crucial to millions of people in
this nation. We also appreciate the opportunities we have had to Dleet wi th
membet'S of the Working Group to share views arid concerns in candid
discuss:l.ons*
We share your belief that the welfare system is badly in need of reform;
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howevee, we believe that the only way to end welfare is to end poverty. As
long as there is a grossly inequitable distribution of wealth and
oppo~tunity.
there will be individuals and families who cannot support
themselves. even with full-time jobs. The primary purpose of welfare
reform should be to create a system that will nllow those who cannot'or
should not work outside the home to live in dignity and decency. while also
helping those who can work to become fully $elf-supporti~g.
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We are concet'"ned that the proposals contained in the issue paper lack
specificity on the issue of financing welfare refo~m. In seve~al meetings
with Administration officials, indications have been made that cutting
services to legal residents in the U,S. is under Administration
consideration. We oppose paying fo~ welfare reform by shifting funds to
the welra~ prog~am f~om programs serving non-citizens or other poor and
needy people. We oppose cutting programs that serve legal residents in the
U,S., espeCially since these people and their U,S. citizen family members
contribute to the economy and pay taxes.
Our comments fall into rou~ general categories which are spelled out in
detail in the attached document. The categories are:
L Emplo~: We believe that the goal of genuine welfare reform can
only be achieved through widespread job creation, with jobs that pay enough
to support a family and that have ~he prospect of stable, long-term
employment..
2. Flexibilit:t: Each family's situation is different, and, to be
successful at helping people beeo.me self-supportlng. a welfare system will
have to be flexible enough to allow them to meet their family needs.
3.
Family
Sup~;
For the religiOUS community the well-being of families
We believe that helping
parents establish. and maintain stable families in which to nurture their
children should be a primary goal of welfnre refot~. We are convinced that
;..;elfar-e refo:"m cannot be accomplished in the absence of health Cal'l? ('erarm.
and their children is of paramount importance,
Wil!>~ing!On,
D.C 200rl2
20~' 5+4'
2330
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The Welfare System: The current welfare system has, fov" many people.
provided a "last resort" support system in times of crisis. and a helping hand
out of poverty. For many others, it has been demeaning and humiliating. We
believe that a reformed system must treat all participants humanely and that
there must be enough well-trained workers to operate an
e~fective
case
management system.
We are grateful for your commitment to improving the lives of people on
welfare. and we look forward to engaging in this effort with you.
Sincerely yours,
Allerican Ethical Union - Washington Rtbicn1 Action
orrico
Herbert Blinder. Director
6214 Crathie Ln,
Bethesda. MD
20816
Church of' the Brethren - Washington OrCice
Tim McElwee. Director
.110 Maryland Ave •• ME - Suite 201
Washington. DC
20002
Church Women Uni ted - Washington Office
Ms. Nancy
Chupp.
Director,
110 Maryland Ave .• NE - Suite 108
Washington, DC
20002
Columban Fathers Justice and Peace Office
Rev. Mark Mengel, Director
P.O. Box 29151
Washington, DC
20017
Coamjssion on Social Action of Reform Judaism
Rabbi David Saperstein, Co-Director
2027 Massachusetts Ave •• NW
Washington. DC
20036
Inter1"aith IMPACT for .Justice and Peace
Rev. James Bell, Director
110 Maryland Ave .• NE - Suite 509
Washington, DC 20002
Jesuit Conference - Office of Social Ministries
Peter J. Klink. $,J., Secretary for Social Ministries
1424 - 16th Street. KW - Suite 300
Washington. DC 20036
Luther:-Otl Immigration and Refugee Service,
John Fredriksson. Washington Representative
122 C Street. NW - Suite 300
Washington, DC 20001
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Lutheran Office of
GovQ~enta1
Affairs
Evangelical Lutheran Church to America
Dr. Kay S. Dowhower,
Di~'Qctor
122 C Street. NW - Suite 300
Washington. DC
20001
Maryknoll Justice and Peace Office
Father Thomas O'Brien M.M .. Director
P.O. Box 29132
Washington. DC
20017
National Counci1 of Churches
James A. Hamilton, Deputy
Qene~al Secretar~
110 Maryland Ave •• NE - Suite 108
Washington. DC
NEIWORK:
20002
A National. Catholic Social .Justice Lobby
Kathy Thornton R.S.M •• National Coordinator
806 Rhode Island Ave •• NE
Washington, DC 20018
Presbyterian Church (USA) - ilashington
orfice
Rev." Elenora Giddings Ivory. Director
110 Maryland Ave •• NE - Suite 104
Washington. DC
20002
Synagogue Council of' luaecica
Rabbi Irwin M. Blank. Washington Representative
4101 Cathederal Ave .• NW
Washington, DC 20016
United Chur<:.b. of' Christ - Office for Church in Society
Rev. Dr. Jay Lintner, Director, Washington Office
110 Maryland Ave .• NE - Suite 2
Washington. DC 20002
United Methodist Church - General Board of Church "and Society
. J:ane Hull Harvey, Assistant General Secretary
Ministry for God's Human Community
. 100 Maryland Ave •• NE
Washintcn, llC
20002
United Methodist Church - Women·So Division
Anna Rbee. r~ecutive Secretary for Public Policy
100 Maryland Ave., NE - Suite 501
Washinton. DC 20002
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INTERRELIGIOUS CHITIQUE OF WELFARE REFORM PBOPOSAL - April 1994
1. Employment: We believe that the goal of genuine welfare reform can only be
achieved through widespread job creation, with jobs that pay enough to support a
family and that have the prospect of stable, long-term employment.
• We are concerned about the use of of the Job Training and Partnership Act as a
vehicle for job creation. Although outcomes-based and performance-based
evaluation is good, in some cases JPTA has in the past selected only the persons
with the greatest potential in order to appear successful, while those needing
the most training and support were left out. A mechanism to prevent this
practice needs to be created.
• Under JTPA. women tend to be placed in traditional "female" employment. They
should have ,the opportunity to train for and work in positions that are not
traditionally associated with women. All people working in this program should
receive wag~~s that place them above the poverty line.
• We encourage support for persons seeking higher and non traditional education and
training through the JOBS program, since these experiences will help them to stay
off welfare.
• We are concerned about what happens to the requirement to work placed on the
clients/recipients when the funding cap is ·reached for the JOBS program, or if
states run out of funds and cannot meet the match. Would recipients continue to
receive benefits, or be dropped from the program?
• We believe that part-time work should be encouraged for those for whom it is
appropriate. because it provides valuable experience for people with few skills
and those who have not been employed before.
• We support a phase in and the c'oncept of a JOBS-Prep program.
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We would prefer that the resources of the WORK program be used to create long
term jobs rather than temporary jobs. We are con'cerned about the potential time
limits for WORK, especially in areas of high unemployment. such as some counties
of
West Viq~inia and on most Indian reservations. We are pleased to see that
persons reaching their limit would have the option to earn back time; however,
this may not be adequ.ate.
We feel that the goal of any job program should be to enable families to escape
poverty. TIms, the proposal to deny the earned income tax credit to persons
,participating in WORK seems particularly unfair in areas of high unemployment.
We suggest that this proposal, if adopted at all, be waived in such areas.
• We believe that participants in WORK should not work off their benefits. but
receive wages, which provide a greater sense of dignity. Sick leave must be
provided. Deduction in wages should be made only with just cause, and
protections are needed for persons who may be harassed on the job.
• We support providing people partiCipating in the WORK program with the same pro
tections in their jobs as others employed at their work site. Differences in the
way workers are treated'would isolate welfare recipients and further demean them.
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INTERRELIGIOUS C!UTIQUE
Page 2
• We oppose using the va~ue of food stamps to subsidize the WORK program, which
would be particularly onerous in low-benefit states. The status of WORK
participants with regard to food stamps is unclear. Would they still be able to
receive food stamps?
If the proposal to subsidize WORK fron: the Food Stamp
Program ~~re adopted, a person in the WORK pl~grarn would be less well off than
his or her non-welfare colleague doing the same job for the same pny, because the
non-~~lfare person could receive food stamps.
Like-wise. an AFDC recipient not
in WORK could rec;eive food sttltUps. Benefits receiycd by n person in the WORK
program should not be of less value than those reC:!i!ived by a ~.imil!1rly situated
person on welfare but not in WORK. Hunger is increasing rapidly in this country.
We would not want the welfare system to fuel that increase, and we feel the
proposal to subsidize WORK with food stamp funds could have that effect.
• We do not perceive that there is any incentive for'employers to
hi~
WORK
participants for the permanent workforce after they leave the wonK progcnm.
Ut:Uizing the WORK program, businesses could have the government subsidize 'their
labor force, simply accepting repeated WORK placements without hiring anyone for
the long tem.
2. Flexibility: Each family's si,tuation is different. and, to be successful at
helping people become self-supporting, a welfare system will have to be flexible
enough to allow them to meet their family needs.
• We believe that part-time work should be considered sufficient to meet the work
requirement if there are family needs that justify less than full-time work OP if
jobs are difficult to find in the area.
• We are concerned about the statement that those unable to work because of
disability are expected to do #something," or make some sort of ,contribution. It
is unclear to us what would count and who would decide. Would a mother on
welfare caring for her son who needs constant care because he is on a respirator
be counted as doing "something. tt even though she does it in her own home?
• We are concel'ned about the consequences of' refusing a job. A person with skills
who is offeved a mini~um wage job which demands no skills and which does not lead
to long ter:n employment or a decent wage should not be forced to take s',lch a job.
We are aware of some programs which work well becaUSe ind:Lviduals ar-e not
mandated to take the first job that comes along. but are allowed to continue job
search to find s job with a future that will' support 'a family. Rather than
sanctioning a person for refusing a specified number of jobs. we suggest setting
a tin;e limit within which a job must be found. This would give tha individual
flexibili ty to choose the !!lost appropri"ate Mong options.
• We feel that transitional support may need to be continued long after employ;:;er.t.
InComes increase slowly in low-skill jobs. which often do not provide benefits.
People working in this type of employment will probably need child care and
medical benefits for ~~ extensive period of time.
• We support Individual Economic Development.
This concept is particularly
Raising asset limits
for eligibility for cash benefits is an important addition and implementing an
Individual Development Account and providing aCcess to. micro. loan funds are also
oovement in a positive direction.
important for persons living in high unemployment ftl.'eas.
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INl'ElUmLIOIOUS CRITIQUE
Pngc3
• We know there will be some states that have a disproportionate number of persons
who would qualify
rOt'
the JODS-Prcp program.
Limiting the' percentage of caseload
that states could place in JOBS~Pt'ep to a national, fixed percentage would be
unfair. The ratio of the numbers of persons qualifying to the total population
of each state should be considered,
3.
Family SUP~: For the religious community the well-being of families and
their childcen is of paramount importance. We believe that helping parents
establish and maintain stable families in which to nurture their children should be
a primary goal. of welfare reform~ We are convinced. that welfare reform cannot be
accomplished in the absence of health care reform .
•. e support health care refor1llt that provides universa.l coverage and comprehensive
W
benefits. and we believe that no family's access to health cave should be
jeopardized by leaving welfare. Passage and.implementation of health care reform
legislation is essential to welfare reform.
• We support the provision ,to end bias against
two-pa~nt
families."
• We affirm that both parents have responsibility for their children and agree that
change in child support eofo~ement law is necessary. However, we find that the
paternity establishment provisions could be troublesome. We are concerned about
what 'WOuld constitute good cause exceptions for not establishing paternity~ how
that decision would be ~ade and by whom. and what would happen if the father
cannot be identified. We do not agree that henefi ts should be denied if'
paternity is not established~ since this would punish children who have no voice
in the matter.
• We support the child support assurance demonstrations programs.
• We s~pport an effort to prevent teen pregnancy and oppose child exclusion/family
caps.
• We believe that persons unable to work for reasons of physical or mental
disability, whether they are disabled theaselves or care for someone who is
disabled, should receive support from e program such as SSI.
• We believe that the well-being of children requires that they have adequate time
to be nurtured by their parents. Single parents who have pre-school children or
children who are in school only part of the day should not be requi~eo to work
full time in order to receive benefits. They should be all~~d to work part~time
and receiv.e supplementary benefits.
• We oppose removing people f~m the system after a certain length of time in WOJm.
Allowing the system to give up on people and terminate their bene-fits after a
specified time will not cause them to disappear. It will simply shift the bu~dcn
or their care to another sector - perhaps over-burdened non-profit agencies or
programs serving the homeless. If supportive services are provided adequately
and if jobs are available. people will become employed. POOI" parents with
children should not Mat' the burden of high unemployment and inadequate services.
�,
INTERRELIGIOUS CRITIQUE
Page 4
• We support the extension of the JOBS program to allow an individual to complete
education or training. However. we are concerned about th~ expectation that a
single parent caring for children and going to school must also work,
• We oppose reducing benefits for famiHes ;in ....hich parents fail to participate in
JOBS, because the result would hurt children. There is no way to assure that
sanctions punish only the parents. short of removing the children from the home .
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. • are concerned about the availability of child ca~ for minor parents who wish
We
to return t~ school. Child care must be guaranteed for children whose parents
are required to be away from home. Presently, funds for child CBre often run out
in mid year making school and other training options impossible. For reforms to
be effective. child care is a must. The welfare refot"UI program should generate
the needed number of slots and also ensure quality. Child care slots must not be
taken from other wocking poor people to secve those who are on welfare. At the
same time child care must be guaranteed if program requirements are to be met.
• We agree that investments should be made in child cnre quality and supply, and we
support enabling welfare recipients to beco~e child care providers and thus
operators of small businesses. However, wage supplementation would be essential
for child care workers because wages paid to them now at"e very low and normally
cannot support a family.
• We support the proposed education and training opportunities for non-custodial
parents, but,custodial parents should be given priority.
.
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• We support mentoring, case management and the exception from the requirement that
. minor parents live with their parents for those whQ are married or who are in
danger
in their parents' home.
The Welfare System: The current welfare system has, for many people. provided a
"last resort" support system in times of crisis. and a helping hand out of poverty •.
For many other's. it has been demeaning and humiliating, We believe that a reformed
system must treat all participants humanely and that there must be enough well
trained loO'or'kers to operate an effective case management system.
4.
• We welcome tr.e statement of Intent to change the flculture of the welfare
offices". Criticism often heard from clients/recipients relates to the lack of
dignity and support given them as persons, We hope that this will change. and
look for-ward to seeing proposals for how this would happen.
• he t~lieve a strong case management approach that provides personal and
consistent support is essential for all participants. Although there is a strong
case management component for minor parents. little is said about case management
services for other clients/recipients.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Kay Bengston. Luthe.ra:1 Offico fot' Governmental Affair'S
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Amet'ica
(202)783-7507, or, Mary Anderson Coopor,
National Council of Churcbes (202)544-2350.
�...
Indo American ·Seniors
C/O Northside Community Center
488 North Seventh Street
San Jose CA 95113
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.March 2R. 1994
,,
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. Honorable Bill Clinton
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·President of Ihe United StaleS
, . The White House
A¥ashlngtnn, D.C. 20500
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.. :Oear Mr, President:
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~we. 'the undersigned are Indo American senior citizens residing in San Jose, California.'
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; Plea;'" do not eliminate government benefits for legal hnmigranls, such as SS), Medicaid, AFDC
~. ~or food stamps. If·you take away our benefits, some of US will become homeless. We came to
:'the United St.its 10 have. better life than we had in India. We love this country, hut some of
::us came here late in life, so we had trouble learning enough English to pasa a citizenship lest
lit Is bard to learn a new language. Some of us can not read or write or bave disabilities that
:make It impossihle for us to become naturalized. There are not enough ESL classes in
California. Some of us are struggling financially now and can not .ffonl classes.
'~
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'
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,
~ ".!. .'Although we contirare to race discrimination for our different race and religious beliefs, Indo
; ,,: ..1American humigrants have worked hard and created jobs, obeyed the law, and lilte all
i.. •immigrants, made many contributions to American sociely and helped to make Ametica strong,
,
iWe keep the American dream alive.
,
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f,1AS the Presid~nt ~f all Americans, you should stand strong against the hysteria fueling anti
. l .immigrant leglslallon. '
.
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.~: ,i ,lSincerely
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t :' ~' ":~~(b~"'-' ~_S"",,,j,""')
:, .$,,'ityI """'-f4:-[Q." Ib~.
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Indo American Seniors
C/O Northside Community Cen'ter
488 North Seventh Street
San Jose CA95113
'
" "March zg, 1994
~~.;
'. ~~'"
,
,of .' The Honorable Robert T,
Matsui
',1
United States House of Representatives
" ,Washington, D.C. 20510
"
:, 'De,ar Congressman Matsui,
We, the undersigned are Indo American senior citizens residing in San Jose, California,
."
i'
Do not support the elimination of government benefits for legal irnmigrants, such as SSI,
" " Medicaid. AFDC or food stamps, Some of us were struggling to survive so we came to the
UnIted States 1'0 have a better life than we had In India, We love this country. but some of us
," : came here late in life, so we had trouble learning enough English to pass a citizenship test.
f' , Some of us can not read or write or have disabilities that make it impossible for us to become
",~, , naturalized, There Is a great unmet need in California for ESL classes, We are struggling
'c' financia!ly now and don't have enough money for classes. If you take away our benefits, sonie
,r,: " of us WIll become homeless,
'!',.. ' .
"}' .
.~" :
,Although we continue to face discrimination In employment. Indo American immigrants
,~;, ,t, hsv,: worked hard and created jobs. obeyed the law; and like all immigrants. made many
,(: contributions to American society and helped to make America strong,
,
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'~:f ' The internment of Japanese Americans hsppened In an environment orraclst hysteria. the
'f, ,: same hysteria which Is now fueling the wild fire of anti-immigrant legislation, Immigrants do
.' riol drain America's resources -- we are America's greatest resource. We keep the American
''"i dream alive. Our children make it a reality.
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Assista;rt~~~·?~si~~n{:.
,White House ... '.
[1600 Pennsyl~aOia"Ave.N.W:
-. Washington•. D.C.90500' ./
-
David T. Ellwood
Ass!. Secretary
Planning and Evaluation
1I11S
200 Independence Ave. S.W.
Wasblngton. D.C. 20201
Mary 10 Bane
Asst. Secretary
Administration for Children & Families
. nns
200 Independence Ave. S.W.
Wasbington. D.C. 90201
,
•
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�IRRBIC TRRNSLRTION CTR TEL:I-415-421-3244
. - -.
~
Apr 13,94
ARIUIJC TRANSLATION (ENYU{
15:55 No,DOl P,OI
APR /4
:_.~Ia; .~~
SI", Cettlllcd Court Intorpr.,...
Wo,Id T,,,,,. Cell"", SUite ZSO.S
1M frand$CO, 0. 94111
T." (415) 421-34411 fAX (415) 4%1.3Z44
April 13. 1994
Carol Rasco
Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy
The WhiteHouse
l600 Pennsylwmnia Avenue N.W,
Washins,nn , I).C. 20500
This is 10 express my urgent and emphatic opposition to the Clinton Administration's
consideration ofa proposal to di$Clualify perm!Ulcnt residents. refugees find other persons
lawfully re<iding in Ihe \Jnited S,~'"' frum SSI • AFDC , food stump. nod MediCflid as •
mechanism for funding rullionai welfare retnrm , I ulldmtand that tbe President has met
with the Cahinet to finalize the rceommenda1ion~ for the Administration'$ wdferc reform
proposal. 1urse you tu vigorously uppo~e tbis uncon_~ionable propoSJlI .
It is unacceptable to take away bentlilS from the mo!;t wlnerable in our society: tilt poot,
the aged. the di••bled . Welfare reform must not h. finaneed by imposing greater hurden,
on one segment ofthe poor and needy, Each' person whn williosc henefits under this
propo~al wilJ either have paid taxel) thcm~lves. or had fanuly members who have
C()ntributco federal UtltCS for their support. The propo:;al afso will undermine the core
policy of our immigration 1aws • which is the reunification of familie$ . Even the
Immigration lind Naturalizatit)fl Service Commissioner. Duns Meissner. bas cllUdd the
proposal I, inappropriate."
finaUy. such 8 propo.~al fuels the anti~ immigrant hysteria and immigrant scapcgooting
sweeping the country, by implying that the receipt of ."y welfare bellofit' by .ny
immigrant ,Icgol or illegal, i, a problem. Ifth. Clinton', Administration adopt' this
pro}lOW. it win have aligned itsetfwith tbe cxtremit.l members of Congress who have
iJltroduccd H-It 3500 and other propo~ls 10 deny public benefits to immigmnts
J reoogni7.e the welfare reform is 80 ambitious and difficult unucrtl1king • but I urge tlud
allcrnative finllncing mechanisms be identified that will not have such divisive and
devastatIng consequences,
c~
Ii.so.. Elmahgoor
( Director)
m
�P402
Am I I REC'D
'.
Network for Immigrant & Refugee Rights & Services
A VOICS FOR IMMIGRANTS IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY
April II. 1994
1lIDN~0a\;
IiI:U:tIIW6t. ~
T-.lbpa,1ad:w7
lcIpo.ak&. TIqIftRf
CarolRaseo
Assistant to the President
De., Ms. Rasco,
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We are aware that the Administration is tum:ntly considering cutting
the availability of SSI. AFDC. food .tamps and medicaid to
immigrants legally in the United StaleS in ()rder to finance its welfare
reform initiatives. We .lron~lX QIlpose this proposal .
•
Do not draw lines between Lav.'ful immigrants and citizens.
•
The proposal will keep families apart.
•
It is not an answer to ask the elderly to natwalize.
t-ha-.ta ............
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Genuine welfare reform which will reduce poverty in the United States
should not be funded by creating and exacerbating poverty in major
U ,g. ethnic communities,
t-. c:-.d:I '- t.d. ___
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The Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights and Services (NIRRS)
is • coalition of organizati()ns in Santa Clara County concern with the
rights ()fimmigrants and refugees.
Sinrereiy,
-~~
Richard Hobbs
President NIRRS
_.,liOW
.._ _ a.w.
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NlRKS. IS.!!." 1""100 Street. Sill! J.... CA 95112
OIdtI4:blwtlh»4 zt1.I1M ·bIwtIlhiitt. _ , .... GIaaI:ic:t9J4f!5
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MON
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Asian Law Alliance
184 El'I~1 'tlCkKWl S!r~ • Se:n J~. ClIliiornia 951t2·S1SJ
(Q)
281·9710
April I!. 1994
Carol Rasco
Assistant to the President
Dear Ms, Rasco,
w. are awaxe that the Adminisl!!ltion is currently considering cutting the availability of
SSI, AFDC, food stamps and medicaid to immigrants legally in the United States in order
to finance its weJfare reform initiatives. We strongly oppose this proposal.
• Do not draw lines between lawful immigrants and citizens.
• The proposal v.ill keep families .part
• It is not an answer to ask the elderly to naturalize,
Genuine welfare reform which v.ill reduce poverty in the United States should not ""
funded by creating and exacerbating poverty in major U.S. ethnic: communities.
Asian Law Alliance (ALA) is • c<lmmunity law office in San Jose, California,
�LAWRE:I!CE A. JOSEPH
135 CAMERON GLeN DRIVe::
ATl"oIttn'A. Gf:OfiGI" 30325
USA
,
Bruce Reed
Deputy Assistant to the President for Domestic POlicy
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
April 28, J 994
Washington DC 20500
RE:
Welfare Reform and Benefits to Permanent Legal Residents
Dear Mr. Reed:
I am writing to express my concern and the concern of the Atlanta Jewish
community over legislative proposals to cut the avaitability of 5SI, public assistance,
Medicaid and food stamps to legal immlgrants in order to nnance welfare reform.
It is aur understanding that the Administration's task farce of welfare reform and
many members of both Houses Bre considering legislation similar to H.R. 3500, the
Republican Welfare Reform bill, whiCh would finance welfare reform by denying
these benefits to legal immigrants.
Proposals to cut essential benefits to elderly, blind, and disabled immigrants will put
many families in the untenable position of having to choose between family
reunification and poverty. These policies threaten the health and well being of the
most vulnerable members of our communities, particularly the elderly, blind and
disabled immigrant family members of American citizens. Such choices offend the
basic values of this country and the broad array of ethnic communities which make
it strong.
Our nation's immigration policy is predicated upon the concept of family
reunification. Studies conducted by a wide range of academic institutions as weil
as by the U.S. Department of Labor show that immigrants pay more in taxes than
they use in benefits. The nation enriches itself economically and culturally by
reuniting immigrant families,
We are very concerned that many of our leaders are perpetuating an atmosphere
that can only be interpreted by our communities as a threat to legal immigrants and
Americans alike, We urge you to reject any proposal1hat would finance welfare
reform by cutting benefits to legal immigrants.
"
�joSOP
YOUl1lNFOh~ltAijON
Jewish Community Federation of Richmond
540.\ ,\1mmmCJll Avella...: -1'3). FilL>. [712~' RidllHoml, Vir!iill,!\ 23226' ':AX (i\(~1J ?lC.-·)jo1· 1'h"uc (;Ii};) '1:-;l\.0(~15
April 27 r 1994
'fhe Honorable John h'. Warner
United Statos Senator
225 Russell senate Office B:dg
Washin9ton, D. C. 20510
Dear Senator Warner:
We urge you to accept no provisions which pay for welfnre reforn:
on the backs of immigrants or other low income groups as is bei~g
-
.
presented
by
the
Mainstream
Porum.
These praY is ions
could
eliminate benefits for legal .:mmigr21nts who arc not yet citizens.
The elimination of provisions for basic needs for irnmigrar.ts will
result in the curtailment of legal immigration into t:his cauntLY,
America was founded on the traditions of compassion and
commitment to safeguard the rights of pe~s6ns escuping political
and religious persecutions and those seeking n:~unification with
family members.
We believe the perception of America as a safe
haven will change under proposed standards.
We encourage
immigrants:
you
to conslder the following
-Family reunification has
immigration policy.
always been the
facts
about legal
cornerstone
of u.s.
-Legal immigrants are screened prior to entry in order to assure
that they will not rely on public benefits.
-Immigrants contribute vastly to the u.s. economy.
-Immigrants use public benefits less than U.S. natives.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. We urge
consideration of· our concerns upon your. deliberations.
Sincerely,
~_
(l-..., ~
'T~;~r, CHairman
~~ \:::.~C<A--..
Bernard Kaplan, Co-Chairman
Community Relations Committee
President: Dorothy P. Bloch - Ptesldcm·Ekc~ Cathnin~ S, ptf>1;'in- Vice Pr.:~irl¢l:I': Malk R, Si~i~\')'
Vice Pnmidt:nt: Mak<1:m Kalmal1' Vit:e ~5.m~nt: Neil $. K~ler * Se~f1:ttt)': Ridwd D. Guy
T!CllSUt~~ Swan C. Siegel- As';sl.!l.n! Trl'a.,u;e~: RidulId J. Novem~
tM,eutive Direetm; OlIviil A. NWislnl.lm
your
�Jewish Community Federation of Richmond
Apt'j 1
:~-/
'1':10 !fonor;tb.Le Clu.u:J.cs S.
Robb
stat~,S scnutor
Rus;.~c] 1 Senate Office
United
-l93
W;;1shington,
131dg
D.C. 20510
Dear Senato:::, Robb:
-
-
ive urge you to accept: no prov is Lons Wi:ich pay [or we.!. fare reform
on the bucks of immigrnnts or other low income groups as is be i nq
pr>.;;sented
by the !-1ainstreZlm forum.
These
pr'ov i s i on:~ COli lel
eliminatf;! benefits for leq;)l lmmigrdnts 'l.fhe are not yet citizen:.·;.
The elimination of provisions for basic needs for imlUlgr~nts will
result in the curtailment of lega.l immigration into ~his country.
America was founded on the traditions of compassion .:md
commitment to <sat:cguilrd the rights of persons escaping polit,:.cal
and re:,igiou5 persecutions and those seeking reun.i fication with
family r:tembers.
We believe 'the perception of America as a tiafa
haven \,1i11 change under proposed standards.
We enCO\lrage you to
immigrants:
consider the f.ollowing
-Family reunification has
immigration policy.
always
been the
facts
about
cornerstone of
-Legal immigrants are screened prior to entry in
that they will not rely on public benefits.
legal
u, s.
order to ilGSUrO
-Immigrants contribute vastly to the U.S. economy.
-Immigrants use public benefits less than u.s, natives.
Thank you [or your ;;Ittent :'on to tid s matter.
We
consideration of Que ConCerns upon your deliberations,
lIrfJC!
I'resident: [lorn.!.) P. Bkx:h' f':l:.Sidcnt·Elcc:: Cml!("fme S. rkg;'in· Vkc Pn:s;;k;IlI: 1Ir;a1k n S:Si$A"
VIce !';esldrnl: ....h knlm K:tlm;m· Vh:c P'Mldent; N~il S, KcsdCl • SrCltll;Uy: Rkhll.1<l 0" ;'I1Y
Tftll!S\lfC/: 51ulUI C. Siq;d· M~I~I.m: Tn.. ",;!!;;,:!: Rkh;.nll NO"CJ:lIlwl
r:~~!!I; vc lhlccl<tr: David A, Nu~~bJ\I!l\
your-
�· ~~ ""'liSt INFOR\\~AT'ON
Jewish Community Federation of Richmond
April 27,
1994
The Honorable Thomas J. aliley, Jr.
United States Representative
2241 Rayburn Bld9
vlashington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Bliley:
We urge you to accept
-.
no provisions which pay for welfare reforx
on the backs of i~migrants or other low income groups as is being
presented by the Nainstreatl Forum.
These pt"ov isi ons could
.eliminate benefits for legal immigrants who are not yet citizens.
The ellmination of provisions for basic needs for immigrants -will
:result in the curtailment of legal it:lmiqrotion into this country .
•America was founded on the traditions of conpassion and
to safeguard the rights of persons escaping politicaJ
t.and religious persecutions and those seeking reunification with
.family members.
We believe the perception of America as a safe
haven will change under proposed standards.
~commitment
We encourage
you to
consider
the
followi~g
facts
about legal
immigrants:
-Family reunification
has
always been
the
cor~erstone
of U,S.
immigration policy.
-Legal immigrants are screened prior to entry in order to assure
that they will not rely on public benefits.
-IlTlIrIigrants contribute vastly to the u.s. economy.
-Imm~grants
use public benefits less than u.s. natives.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
We urge
consideration of our concerns upon your deliberations.
______
,
~ . ~~
your
Sincerely,
TO~~ Cha~rman
~. ~c}-G0-~
Be~ KaPlan,/~~-Chairrn~
Community Relations conmittee
l'utidtill: J')orothy P. Bloch· Pre~itknl.Elec1· C;uhninc S, PIOllirt· Vke Pn,sideriL Ma:k R. Sisisky
Vict; I'Tcsidenr: Malcolm Kdrnu.n • Vice Pre~ident: Neil S. Kei\slel • Semetary: Rkhmrll). (liM)'
TreasUln; StUllII C. Siegel· Asilsum T:(lI.~uN:r: Ridwd 1. NO'<embct
E~«ut.ive Dire.::1Or. Divhl A. Nus.tmJm
�R I ~ Ii II I' ~
Ofrlce of the President
:=:
)211 fourth StmtNE
Wuhington OC200IHllU
12(2)541.3100
FAXI2Q21541':U66
T£LEX 1400424
Most Reverend William H. Keeler, 0,0.
';~rchbi5hop of Baltimore
President
Marcb 28. 1994
President WUliam 1. CIi.,on
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
WasbingtOn. DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:
As President of the National Conference of Catholic BishopslUnited Stales Catholic Conference.
I wisb to express my strong opposition to financing welfare reform by restricting benefits 10 immigrants
roming to the United States to join dose frunily members. While we applaud your leadership in seeking
reform of the welfare system, we believe that such efforts would be severely undermined if financing
reform jeopardizes the well·being of thousands of legal immigrants and their families who have sacrificed
to sponsor them.
We understand that serious ronsideration is being given to financing the Administration's welfare
reform proposal by severely restricting lawful residenlS' access to such federal social service benefits as
Supplemental Securi.y Inenme (SS!). Aid '0 Families with Dependen. Children (AFDC). Medicaid and
Food Stamps. Undef current law, the income of spons<>ring relatives is already counted in determining
a lawful resident's eligibility for vatious federal programs. This counting, loOWD as -deeming: is
rurrently applicable to lawful permanent residents for their first three to five years in the United States.
We understand that the proposal that is beine considered by the Administration would extend this deeming
period until such lime as. the resident obtains citizenship.
We believe that the potential financial impact that families would incur if forced to assume
expet1Se5 for elderly, infirm, or disabled relatives whom they sponsor would: literally force many families
to choose family reunification at the cost of severe financial hatdsbip. In addition, sueb policies would
further discriminate between lawful Immigrants and citizens in how their need)' family members would
be treated, If we as i nation support the reunion of dose family members, it is then unfair to deny
essential services for increasiogly longer periods to sp<lnsored relativC':$ who have the same compelling
needs as other elderly. blind, or disabled relatives who happen to be citizens. MOSl significantly. we
obje<.1. to a funding strategy which forces colUpetilion for resources among various at-risk populations.
While recognizing tflat welfare reform is an imperative for your administration and the nation,
we trust that the means by which it ~ financed wil1 not occur at the expense of sponsors and their
inunigrant family members who can contribute so significantly to the social.w1 economic fabric of our
nation, We urge you t1..1 devise a fairer and more humane means of financing welfare reform,
Sincerely yours•
•
•
Most Reverend William H. Keelet
Archbishop of Baltimore
President
�EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN
CHURCH IN AMERICA
Sit:'> We'>:
HU'>%
( ..IN:. £leA Il*
Roo.!'C.....djp l/I"t»<. 606:!' ! 12· 300--2'100
r.:~
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April
2/),
1994
The HOOOI'abIe D.. IWstcukowski
U5.H~.fR~.~
2111 Ra)i>urn House Ofli<e Building
washington, DC 2/lSt5
Dear Congresomao ROIIcukowski:
_
is • ropy of the OWo,king Principlu for Welf.... Refonn" that is guid;ng lb. work
of the Evuge1kal Lutheran Church in America as we a£SC$$' the various proposals now being circulated to
transform out public: welfare $ystem.
Al; y"" oooside, the wriety of opOOllS beiJlg iotrodll<:£d and debated, I command these
principles to yoo.. 1.utbetaas acrtlSS the rountry have been engaged in human sel'Vk.es for many years. The
~twor1,
social millis.try organizations affiliated with OUr dturch was :recently rated 6nancially the largest
non-profit human service delivery system in the United States, We have many years of experien« in serving
low income pe~ the agcd.. persons with disabiliti~ immigrants. refugees and other people in need.
or
I am disturbed by the many proposals from both Republicans and Democrats., the Congress
and the Administration. that would cut or limit services to a variety of poor and needy groups to finance
welfare reform. or partkular concern js tbe targeting of legal residents in the U.s. until tbey become U,S.
citizens.. [cannot support thi$ method of targeting ODe specific poor sector of OW' society to finance
expanded job serviee.s lot other poor people. I ..... you ....p...,. sud! pro_Is that l\u:1 I.bo ..r..........
IIDti-ImmIsnmI/..tI..-d\ItIft ...11..... timt I......pIng .... laud.
As Bishop 01 the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, I lind deep meaning in these
words from the Old Testamem: "'Whtn an aIim resides willi )'OIl in yoor hmd, )'OIl shall_ OP[>'US lite aIim.
Th< aIicI """ _ _ )'OIl _
b< '" )'OIl lIS lite _ _ YOU;)'OIl shall I""" lite aIim lIS ycurulj, for
)'OIl .... a/ims in lite _
of EtriI"" (Lm/icus 19:33-34). While lbese words .pplied spociIiealIy to • small
nation centuries ~ the call 10 jwtke continues to resonate. Indeed. for tbe vast majority of us living in the
US... were DOt our fort:bean lOjoumCI'$ in this land-·inunigrants seeking a n,ew life? Remembering our
roots., can we no( seek just and equal treatment for all those who reside legally in this country?
We stand ready (0 work with you in this important ref()l'm of the welfare system. We
cannot, however, support a package that targets any vulnerable group of people (Le" the aged, the blin~ the
disabled, lega] immigrants., and famwt'.'S and ehildrcn in poverty) to pay for services for other ~erable
peopie.
Sina:rely,
.
II
Ene.
For more inforrnotion,
John
Contacl
Kay BengrtOft, Lutheran Offlce for Govemment(ll Affairs, 202/783-7507, ond
F,.driksson, Lulilerun lmmigralion and Refugee Servic,," 202/783-7509
�WORKING PRINCIPLES
FOR
WELFARE REFORM
These principles, based on ELCArelated social statements, were
affirmed by the Board of the Division for Church in Society; as the
current basis for ELCA public policy advocacy related to welfare
reform and for the purpose of ongOing dehberation in the ELCA.
March 11, 1994
EVANGEUCAL LUlHERAN CHlJRrn IN AMERICA (E.L.c.A.)
DIvrsrON RJR CHURrn IN Soc.:ImY
DEPAKIMENT RJR SnJoi:e;
8765 W. HIGGINS RD.
CHICAGO, IL 60631-4190
800/638-3522, EXT. 2710
�~·f·
; ...~
,
.
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..
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;·:~:::.The current public welfare system is in net.>d of significant reform.
11,e purpose of 1111~ TVorking
:~.;.prilldpIL'S is to clnrify the /Ja.<;cs for EI.CA p,ublic I'olit..y advocaty regardhtg Icgislntivc proposals for refomling
~}/., tlie welfare sys.tem, especially the federal Aid to F,lmilies with Dependent Children (AHX) progr;:am.
,:r. tvWny of the prindples are also applic..ble to wc1farc-rel<lh..>d proposals at the state level.
,~.".:
'Jif-Poverty is the underlying problem welfare programs seek to alleviate. The Evangelical Luthernn
:i'\';" Church in America (with its predecessor churches) has a long and extensive history of involvement
},:,In this mea. The ELCA-affiliated network of social ministry organizations is financially the largest
1\'such non~profit network in the country. Many of these organizations have long histories of serving
:),:" people in situations of poverty (presently serving over 3OO,O:X)), including signific..lnt work in the
J'i':area of refugee resettlement. The women's organization of the ELCA has taken initiatives to
,~.\·:·respond to women living in poverty. Many of the 11,000 ELCA congregations are reaching out to
.:f~:: people living in poverty in their communilie> through social selVice efforts (such as food programs
~..., and shelters), through pastoral care, and through advocacy and organizing efforts,
[~..
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:..':':. These principles presume and build upon the biblical, theological. and ethical understandings
';'::'" 'artk.ulated in the social statements of the ELCA and its predecessors, as indicated in the endnotes.
:::1, In these social statements, the ELCA has, among other things, committed itself to "defend human
:) dignity, to stand with poor and powerless people, and to advocate justice."l The economic sector,
':.~;Jamilies, and vohmtary associations play important roles in this. However, the focus in these
principles is on the role of government.
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;":; In 1986-87, a "More than Charity" campaign (of the church bodies that formed the ELCA) held
·K. ,hearings on poverty and welfare reform throughout this country. Out of this process carne "Guiding
~:i ',Principles in Social Welfare Reform," which have informed the development of the following
;,(principles. In 1993 the ELCA adopted a many~faceted strategy on "Women and Children in
/."Poverty," as a priority emphasis for the rest of this decade. That strategy recognizes that, in addition
,~., to the many kinds of church~~ised a..;sistance, policy and practices that create and sustain poverty
,:)~:.need to be challenged and changed.
"',1',1
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.:.;'·.,:,The following format sets forth:
",
/somo basic theolautcal afflnnatJons, grounded In ScripbJre, the confessions, and the social slabmlents of
.}'., the ELCA.
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,:
,
.i'·
Some ethical interpretations and implications of these theological affirmations for the discussion of
welfare reform today.
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Some specific public policy positions that caff be df"duced(rom the above.
.
. ', .
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::~: In moving from broad affirmations to specific positions, ELCA members are likely to have
;'/, significant differences and to give different weight to the various principles. As a church we
.-',:,)., encourage ongoing deliberation as to what policies will best serve God's intentions for persons in
~<: t;ommunity. Although the positions cited here are intended to serve as a current ~1Sis for ELCA
~/.:public policy advocacy, they are subject to change in the future, especially through the study and
.: ;)deliberative processes that will occur as part of the development of an ELCA economic social
:~,\:\:statement.
".'
2
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1lIE OIIUGATIIIII OF GIlVBIIIMEIIf: TIle IIOft".'""II'. oIiIigallon umlerGod Includes esfaMlshIlIlI justice.
,".bIttIng amllIIhancIng IiIIman rigllls, ami piUlnoting IIIe geaend iII!IfaAl of au petSUIiI.~
Government has the responsibijilY to IIeIp meet the needs and uphold the rights ol1liose wIic are at tile
malgins 01 the economic system.'
GuverfWtnt is responsible to establish just welfare poJ{cy, This includes determining who
receives welfare an.d raising neassary revenues.
,
.
~
REFORM OF THE SYSTEM OFGOVERNMENT-PROVIDED WELFARE SHOULD BE
CONSIDERED IN LIGHT OF SOME BASIC AFFIRMATIONS AllOUT HUMAN BEINGS.. ,
DEPENIIaI1' 011 GOD: As IiIIman IiefnUS we are dependent 011 God for all we have aod are.'
"
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None of us are truly "seH-sufficient: "deserving: or autonomous. These distinctions are only relative
and should not be used to separate some people (i.eo, those on weftare) from others. as if they were
somehowof less value.
,
Welf(lr~ policies that make
distincriQIfS between persons who are "deserving" and those who are
"undeserving" need to be questioned.
"Self~sllfficiency,"
although an imp(mallC goal in welfare reform, should not necessarily be seen
as the only or highest goal in all cases,
III1iRDEPfIII8I WllH MlJlllAl.IIESPOIISIBfUTI: Human liefngs are Inteoded '" God 10 live I. inlerdepeJt
dent relatiUllSlii(ll willi 0IIe anoIber.1I is 1.1IIe baslclillman reIationsIiIps of domestic. political. aod
~ Hie that peI_1IIme In their _
hIImanIIy.' Asociety aod IIIe petSUIiI II It have IIIIIluaI
iI!SpIiIISibIII tDward 0IIe liIoIIier.
In the public realm, this interdependence is reflected in income-support programs that transfer funds
from taxpayers to adesignated group of persons within asociety, Most cn~ens, at some time duling
their lifetime. are both payers and receiVers of public transfer payments, some of which are means
tested (e.g" weftare proglllms), others of which are not (e.g.. Social Seculity, Medicar•• veteran
bene,"s, unemployment compensation).'
Welfare reform should be motivated 'WI primarily by the cost to taxpayers but by a sense oj
interdeJUndence and responsibility toward aU people.
Government is especially obligated toward tIlose who are the most vulnerable. Structures and sup
ports are required to undergird the development of skills and capabilities needed lor persons to
function in society and thus live out their obligation to contribute toward the social good.
3
�Welfare reform should seek to cnalJle perso!U' to rise Ollt ofpoverty, affirm their human' dignity,
Cllld empower them through educatioll, (raiflillg. alld services to achieve Jmlg-term economic
sUfficiency.
,
.y..
Long-term economic sufficiency (.'tumor occur apartjrom adequate social, struc/ural, and
re/a/iollal support, illcJllding stable/amilies, .Wlfe communities, adequate schools, preparation
jor, access to, and opportunities for jobs.
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When persons call1lol generate at! income adequate to Jj~'e ill a decent. humane way. a safety net
must contillue 10 be Ql'ai/able to meet their baJic needs.
;,,:
PerSOIlS fulfill Iheir obligation 10 society 1101 only by becoming economically self-sufficient, bllt
also by cOfltributing 10 Ihe common good of a society ill other ways (e.g., carillg for children) .
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'.'" HIIlIIAIIIIIGIIJTY AIi!I BASIC IIHDS - All hwnan beings are entiUed to the basic necessities Dla dignified,
'li humane eIisIence and/or to the means DI securing such. Aright Is what lusHce requires In response to
.t{: particular human needs,'
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. Human dignity should not be violated through provisions of awelfare policy that view human beings
primarily in terms of their cost to the wider society, their job skill value, or the income they are able to'
generate.
Public policies should assure persons of their fundamental rights of adequate income, decent housing,
health care, nutrition, and education. 8
In order to bring those in /leed closer to a sustainable income. the benefit level for thefederal
Aidfor Families with Dependent Childrell program (AFDC) should reflect regional dijferenceJ
and coshJf-Uvillg iI/creases.
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addition to income support:
I/utrition programs should he made more (Ivai/able through improved access and education:
the number of safe, affordable /lousing units needs to be expanded;
univerJ'al health care coverage. key in reducing the Ileed to stay on welfare, should be in
place: 9
.. educational systems, key in preparing people for changing employmeffl opportunities, need to
be revitalized.
',.
,
>. FREEDOM AH11IH1TlAT1V£: Human beings have been created with moral agency and freedom, witl1a power to
'act responsibly In light DI their portIcular circumstances, accountable to God, seH, and others.- God has
'. :' gile. human beings IIIe capocity and Initiative to define the problems of material elistence in cDllll1Unily
:,.'...and to eHeel positive change.
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ASOCiety is healthier when its members are encouraged to participate responsibly in determining their
own lives rather than being only the passive consumer of goods and services,l1 No person or commu
nity should relinquish the initiative or capacity to affect the conditions of their liIe, and social and
political institutions should encourage such initiative. 12
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�Welfare policies should nurture the power to act responsibly, Wilh possible incentives and
rcw-'ards for accomplishing planned goals. Coercive or punitive measures should nol be used If)
compel human action•
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,
lnadequau: gran/levels jorce mOSl recipients of weffare to seek unreported income if they art to
survive, and therehy encourage lying and c/reating.
Gram levels either must be increased so they are adequate/or the basic necessities of lift,
and/or the present earned income "disregardjormula" must be adjusted to allow fam.ilies to
keep a greater portion of the income they earn and to save/or the future. Grants. loans. or
scholarships/or education and rr,aitling should not be factored imo income.
.
1IIIII/III WORI: 1Inugb WOIII. bumaoI belngs "'" prlvlleged ami oIJIigated ID reftect!fle CreaIDr whose WOIII
1fIey..... The exclusion of persons Imm!fle communlIy of WlrIt Is 8 denial of !fie opportunity of realldll1J
God'llnImIIIooIlor htIMolIr. Worlt Is ,,_lor humanll,ell-bellI1J. but lID! as IlII end 1.1Iseff. Warlt Is
1Iws IM8IIt lor peISOIIS hi ''''II!UnIty. II1II persons lor WIWt. a
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Making it possible for people to move from welfare to work Is important because employment is a
muns by.which people become contributing participanlS in society, However, this is hindered In a
labor market increasingly dominated by low·wage, part-time or temporary jobs Ihat cannot support a
family,
Effective job training (on the job, Technical. and lIon~traditional) and educational programs
(vocational, secondary, GlUi higher) must be expanded so (hat participams can acquire 'the s{(iifs
necessary/or stable employment.
Stable Jobs with Jiving wages and adequate benefits should be the goal, Provision 0/ these jobs
shQuld be done in ways that do not have the direct effect of displacing other workers_
should not he/arced into Jobs that will make them worse off. that is. low
paying jobs without basic benefits they receive under welfare (e,g., heaith care, child core,food
.<;tamps, tratuiportalion). Such benefits should carry over temporarily and be phased Out only as
Welfarl!~ucipients
the employment income attd benefits increase.
"Workfare" (requiring work in exchange/or welfare) may not actuaJiy increase people's long·
ferm employability, bUf may contribute toward a permanelll working umJ.erclass, eroding both
wages anti employment sJaJUiordsjor other workers. ShorHtrm structured w(Jrk experiettce,
however, may have a positive effect 011 some perS(J1tS who have never beelt employed outside the
home,
FOr all workers, the millimum wagt should be illcreased and indexed according ro Ihe rate of
inflation. In addition, an expanded Earned Income Tax Credit (eITe) is important because. in
effect, it subsidizes low-paying jobs fhrough the rax sysrem,
INVES'IMEIIr IN FAMIJES: Families "",!fie basic communilles In whlclI personhoad Is losIlmId. and 110m
whlclI allllllbel$mowellD! ID participate in SIICieIy.. Families "'" enIiIIed ID (lloII!I:IIGn Imm fon:es !bat
wauId tear __ apart••
5
�Men and women should not become parents until they are able to nurture and support their children.
Public policies should support responsible family life.
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Appropriate/or",:; ojse.nwliry eduClltioll in the schools, community pregnancy prevention
programs, and paren/illg preparation classes are /0 be supporled./ 6 Programs to enhance self·
esteem lind life options arc impor/ollt deterrents to teel/age pregnancies .
Welfilre policies should encourage cOlllinlling parclltoi or other adult support and gllidancejor
millor parclI/s.jor example. through mel/tors and living ill a household with a responsible adult
(when appropriate). Millor parel/ts should never be required to return 10 all abusive home jn
order to qualify for governmcm assistance.
Policies thaI require or encourage parellts to rema;1I unmarried or /0 separate ill order to
qualify for welfare programs must be changed.
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1«JRTIIlIE AIm SUPPORT Of ClllUlREN: All children have !he right ID parental care and aflection. n Caring lor
and providing lor IIIe manllold needs 01 children Is an Imporlanl way In which people contribute ID !he
con...m good of SOCiety.
In each set of circumstances, there must be a realistic assessment of what is necessary to bear,
nurture, and provide for children over the long-term, and what resources are available or need to be
provided 'for this purpose. 1e
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Single parents of young children should IlOt be required to seek employmellt outside the home If
they decide thallhe good of their children, and thus the social good, ;s best sen'ed ill their
circumstallces through the work of lIurturing their family, rather thanlhrough efforts 10 become
ecollomimlly self-sufficient.
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Quality, affordahle child care should he made available to parellfs who are employed owside
the home, or who participate ill educatioll, training, Clnd job search prograr!!s.
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Strong child support and/or assurance programs are needed.
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The law must hold both parellfs responsible for the financial support oj their chiidren. IP
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Programs such as job traillillg. educatioll, alldlor substallce abuse treatment call help some
custodial as well as 1I01l-custodial parents to meet their child support ohligatiolls. Custodial
parents should generally he givell priority.
Families with children should be helped to move out of poverty. rather than penalized.
'.'.
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Sanctions should not be imposed
ing AFDC.
if additional children are conceived hy parellls already recefv
A rejulJ(/able children's credit, in place of a tax deduction, COl! help provide greater tax equity
alld aSil'ist low-;ncomej"milics to rise OUI of prH'erty.
6
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CAIIJIII FOR tHE S'IRAIIIER:"You sItaII not oppnoss a IeSideIII aIieII•••farJOll_allellt.••"\I'lt. 23S}.
Regardless at lltelr citizenship, aJllWrnan beln.. are equallr enIIIIllIIllI wllallIteJ need III live IIInlllilllingful
I'IIIaIInIIID Ilad ud neI~.·
Asoclely's h.a~h can be measured by how it treats those in Its midst who are most impoverished,
who often are reiugees and non-citizens.
Refugees have distinctive needs. which should continue to be addressed under a separate
,
,
pro~~am and not subsumed into the AFDC program.
!i.l"
After an initial period a/residency, welfare benefits should m>t be denied to legal immigrants,
wh/typically contribute to the economy and pay taxes,
Supporting welfare reform by taking from other d:sa<fi,'ontaged groups is unacceptable.
EIIQIIS IIIIIQIE: As CII!IIIIw.I God, each human bel.. ud lite cin:umslanees 01 biSiher lila are unique.
'.
Awelfare policy must have flexiblilly in the kinds and lenglll of assistance and supportive selVices that
are provided,
~:
Individual plarls should be developed that respond whoiisrically alld directly to a family' s
panicular needs and challeirges. lit addition to CUI income grant, some combination ofjob
traini;lg, education, j()b coultSelling and placement, persotWl management skills, parenting
skills, and substance abuse treatment may be needed, Child care and transportation must be
ID'(Jilable 10 those who need ii,
Time limits on the receipt ofbentjits should not be arbitrary, Tlu:y should lake into account
individual circumstances, the needs ofdependent childrtn, altti the failure ofthe economy to
generale enough jobs wilh adequaJe income and benefits,
'
Some persons may not be employable or should not be expected to work, such as those ,'aring
for disabled persons or children, Some requiring·assistance may have been traumatized by
physical or sexual abuse, permtlllcmly damaged by substance abuse, Of have experienced
another type of trauma ordisabiJity. An expansion o/the SS/ program may be necessary to
assist persons in these situations,
A case manager approach should be more fully utilized, Trained witll skills and culturally..
specific sensitivities. such a case manager works with a cliellt in. a spirit ofrespect. The task is
to develop a plan, monilor it, and provide the ongoing personal support that enables a diellt to
carry out the pian. The two work together, with mutual resp()nsibility and accountability, tithe
assisting agency does nOI provide the services designated ill the plan, clients should not be
obligated to fUlfil1 their commitmems, alld allY mandated sanctions sMuld not be imposed.
While innovative demonstratioit project$ $hould be encouraged, they mU$t not impose punitive
behavioral requirements or-result injurlher deprivation oj reCipients.
7
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.
'::~.~n,e
listed principles should be considered in the negotiating and budgeting processes for
';':~elfare tefonn. Given limited revenues, prQgt'~ms consistent with these priru:iples that begin on
:,~ ~ small-scale are preferable over large-scale programs that are inadequately funded and less
<likely to be .ffedi••.
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",;
For furlber ialonnallon confucttlle luIberaII puldIc PIlBcy office in fGIIt slate, or tile Lutlleran IIfflce
lor GOIe..I'lenllll Afl\JiI$, 122 1:. St..IlW, Suite 125, Waslllngtua, OJ:. 2lI8II1; 12lI2I783-15II1.
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{Endnotes
,.
"
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:'IMosl 01 Ihe lollowing ate social slal.menls ol.lh' RCA which are avall,bl.trom Ihe O,parlmenllor Siudies. II
.'you would like 10 order asingle copy 01 asocial slalemenl, please call 600/638·3522, exl,nslon 2719.
,',
::i',' "The Church in Socieiy: A Lutheran Perspective" (ELCA, 1991).
JI,! "The Nature of the Church and Its Relationship with Government" (ALCIAELC/LCA, 1964).
':l~' See
lor example. "The Church and Social Welfare" (LCA. 1968) and ''Towards fairness in Public
is; Taxing and Spending (ALC. 1982).
",; See the explanation 01 the first article of the Creed In Luther's Small CateChism.
"~:5 ."Economlc Justice" (LCA, 1980).
.
;;'."Toward Fairness In PubliC Taxing and Spending" (ALC. t962).
.I:' "Human Righls" (LCA, 1978).
":',' "Human Rights" implementing resolution; "Abonion" (ELCA, 1991).
See the Working PrinCiples for Health care Reform (ELCA Division for Church In Society, 1993).
,"!' "Abonion" (RCA. 1991).
.i.:' "Economic Jusliee" (LCA, 1960).
.:,.:,<' "Human Rights" (LCA, 1978).
;:~" "Economic Justice" (LCA, 1980).
.~'.." "Sex, Marriage. and Family" (LCA, 1970).
"'}"Human Rights" (LCA. 1978).
,..;:'! 'Abortion" (ElCA, 1991).
"Human Rights" (LeA. 1978).
t',i'"Abortion" (ELCA. t991).
"Abonioo" (ELCA. 1991).
....:" "Human Rights" (LCA, 1978).
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8
�BRUCE.
-----------
cc'::'-::====.IF_THl=S"',I:::S....:OKAY. ---WE·LL.OO·wrmIT_,
April II. 1994
Thank you for taking the time to write the Administration concerning
welfare reform. Your comments regarding the options for financing welfare
reform are greatly appreciated.
The Administration Is commltted to designing a welfare reform plan that
will be defiCit neutral. This means that essential new Investments In chUd
care. Jobs. skills. and tralnlng must be offset primarily with savings
elsewhere 1n the budget.
A number of opUons are under consideration. and no deCiSions have been
made. Such chOices are very difficult. and In considering alternatives we
are keeping in mind the basic values Utat underUe our welfare reform
efforts! work. family, opportunity. and responsibility.
In a recent teleVised news (','onference, the President rejected the financ1ng
provisions of the House Republican welfare reform blU. H.R. 3500. which
would terminate all means-tested benefits for all non-cItizens. Such an
extreme, across-the-board measure would unfairly deny basic health
coverage to thousands of fam1l1es, and shift an enormous burden to the
states. The Administration will work actively to oppose the financing
provisions In H.R. 3500.
We appreCiate your sharing your concerns with us. AgaIn. thank you for
writing.
Sincerely,
Bruce Reed
Deputy AsSIstant to the PreSIdent
for Domesllc Policy
�Bruce.
Here's a draft finance letter drawn from the
one the WRWG has drafted.
Should we use this finance
incoming SSI letters?
~etter
to answer the
Should we also provide it to Presidential
correspondence for their use?
Should we use the same sort of letter to
answer the letters on the gambling tax?
�.
AP~-06-1994
17: 24
FROM
TO
Fr-.F/OPR
2- l.
3
4~
5~
6~
7-~
S- 9
Dear 10-:
Thank you for takinq the time to write to the Working Group on
Welfare Reform, Family support and Independence. Your comments
regardinq the options for finanoing welfare reform are greatly
appreciated.
The Administration is committed to designinq a welfare reform
plan that will be deficit neutral~ This means that new
investments in child caret jObS, and education and training to
help AFDC recipients become self-sufficient must be offset.
A number of ohanqes are under consideration. Preliminary op~ions
include both programmatic reforms that would redu.ce spen:eUng and
measures that would raise revenUe. Such choices are very
difficult, ana in considering alternatives we are keeping in mind
the basic values that underlie our ~elfare reform efforts: "work,
family, community and responsibility.
We appreciate your sharing your concerns with us, and we will
keep you informed of the progress of the Working Group_
Again, thank you for writing.
Sincerely,
Patri<::1a Sasa
Director of Public OUtreach
Working Group on Welfare Reform
Family Support and Independence
l
�TO
'34567431
WORKING GROUP ON WELFARE REFORM~
FAMILY SUPPORT AND INDEPENDENCE
FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION COVER SHEET
Aerospace Building
370 L'Enrant Promenade, S.W.
Seventh Floor
Washington, D.C. 20447
Fax: (202) 205-9688
Cover
Date _ __
+ ----'_ Page(s)
To:
From:
Phone: _ _ _ _ __
Abbi; Qpttesman
Phone:
205-3600
Fax:,_ _2oa,Q/;2.5-:::!9.w68.l,l 8_
Message:
t,
Aa~ tfv.-.- H%N:l'rr I~,
N1(/(J/(d tfor ~i&
P .01
�Dear:
Thank you for taking the time to write the Administrat~on
concerning welfare reform. Your comments regarding the options
for financing welfare reform are~gr"a:.;;f/. "ppreci"ted~. ~s~:'1
.
The Administration is committed to es1gning a welfa
reform
plan that will be defioit neutral
This means that ew
investments in child care, jobs, aRe edts8M1en and training ~
.be'p _'PBC rE!ctplent8 ooeeme gelf.ewfliiL:e!l.eA't; must be
Offset~~==~_
......J_~ti,'~f,._~ ~ ...... , .. "
A number of o~A:~es are unde.r oonsideration}
Pre) fminsiE7' op'ti'eas
1<qcl ude .bptb progt;amm~ ma=tlm' MQottidrac>alil'lge speng! ng and
m'Ulil9ts!ees that ",e\t;'4 !eft!!!" :revet);ue.
Suoh choices are very
diffioult l and in oonsidering alternatives we are keeping in mind
the bas1c values that underlie our welfare reform efforts: work,
family. :~~~1 and responsibility.
:"1'-h:-.r
t
e appreoiate your sharing your concerns with us.
you for writing.
Sincerely.
Bruce Reed
�
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Bruce Reed - Welfare Reform Series
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Welfare Reform Series
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<a href="http://clinton.presidentiallibraries.us/items/show/36314" target="_blank">Collection Finding Aid</a>
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An account of the resource
The Bruce Reed Welfare Reform Series includes material pertaining to legislative strategy, analysis of state plans, child support, speeches, rollout of the Working Group's proposal, and various drafts of welfare reform bills authored by the Working Group, Congress, and public/private organizations. President Clinton established an interagency group, the White House Working Group on Welfare Reform, Family Support, and Independence (1993-1994), in order to carry out his campaign promise “to end welfare as we know it.” The Working Group was co-chaired by Bruce Reed.
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Clinton Presidential Records: White House Staff and Office Files
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629 folders in 69 boxes
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The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letters - SSI/Immigration [2]
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Domestic Policy Council
Bruce Reed
Welfare Reform Series
Is Part Of
A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included.
Box 53
<a href="http://clintonlibrary.gov/assets/Documents/Finding-Aids/Systematic/Reed-Welfare-finding-aid.pdf" target="_blank">Collection Finding Aid</a>
<a href="http://catalog.archives.gov/description/612964" target="_blank">National Archives Catalog Description</a>
Provenance
A statement of any changes in ownership and custody of the resource since its creation that are significant for its authenticity, integrity, and interpretation. The statement may include a description of any changes successive custodians made to the resource.
Clinton Presidential Records: White House Staff and Office Files
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Adobe Acrobat Document
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Clinton Presidential Library & Museum
Medium
The material or physical carrier of the resource.
Reproduction-Reference
Date Created
Date of creation of the resource.
5/3/2011
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
612964-letters-ssi-immigration-2.pdf
612964