RE: ‘Financial Aid for Immigrants Held Up in Albany’

Members of the New York State Assembly at the Capitol in Albany, N.Y., on June 23, 2011. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

I have a question that is beside the point of this article I just read (“Financial Aid for Immigrants Held Up in Albany”). I understand why people immigrate. I actually don’t care whether it is legally or not.

My question is WHY do immigrants get any type of welfare or government issued checks? Should whether or not they are here legally or illegally matter? Money is money and I feel that it is wrong to support immigration financially. If you want to immigrate, immigrate! Fine—but where is the entitlement to welfare or Social Security?

I would like a thoughtful response back, one that discusses history. All that I find on the Internet only mentions illegal immigrants—but my question refers to all immigrants that get welfare or Social Security.

Marilyn Phinney