States Want Fewer Curbs on Funds for Immigrant Aid

Pointing to what it considers flaws in the landmark 1986 immigration reform act, a group of state welfare officials charged Monday that federal funds for public health, education and other programs for newly legal immigrants are not being used efficiently.

A report by the American Public Welfare Assn., an organization of officials from 50 state human services departments, recommends that the Immigration Reform and Control Act be changed to give states more leeway in helping new immigrants achieve full citizenship.

The report urges also that Congress not tamper with the $4 billion allocated in 1986 to pay for state services to immigrants--funds that President Bush and the Department of Health and Human Services have proposed cutting.

Officials at the Department of Health and Human Services, which administers the federal funds, would not comment. “We have not yet seen a copy of the report,” department spokesman David Siegel said.

Under the current system, the federal government reimburses states for programs that provide assistance to immigrants or help them meet citizenship eligibility requirements. However, strict restrictions on the states’ use of federal funds decrease the efficiency of some programs, the report said.

“Without prompt congressional action on the recommendations . . . Congress’ intent in passing the Immigration Reform and Control Act--the promise of full citizenship and critical assistance in reaching that goal--will be seriously undermined,” New York Commissioner of Social Service Cesar A. Perales said at a press conference.

States are prohibited from using federal funds for job training programs and for efforts to inform immigrants about the complex requirements for obtaining citizenship--two top priorities in California, said Mark Helmar, assistant secretary of the California Health and Welfare Agency.

“Vocational education is a very high priority in California,” Helmar said. “It keeps (immigrants) off cash programs and gets them into higher-paying jobs, where they can get health benefits.”

Informing immigrants about the complex two-stage process of becoming a permanent U.S. resident through outreach programs is equally important, Helmar added.

“States want to reach out to the eligible population, but we cannot do so under current rules,” he said.

The report warns against cutting any of the $4 billion in federal funds, which are meant to be divided among states over a four-year period. Helmar said that the Bush Administration’s Office of Management and Budget and the Department of Health and Human Services have considered cutting the funds.

However, Helmar acknowledged that a cut is unlikely because both the House and the Senate would have to agree.

More than 3 million illegal aliens nationwide have applied for temporary resident status under the act’s provisions. Of those aliens, 1.5 million live in California, which stands to receive $1.8 billion in federal funding to pay for education, health and welfare for the immigrants, Helmar said.

To be granted permanent resident status under the act, immigrants must wait 18 months after receiving temporary resident status and then meet a variety of conditions that include passing English and civics tests and undergoing a criminal background check.