Most American Voters Support Keeping Illegal Immigrants from Benefits

A recent study by Rasmussen Reports indicates that a significant number of American voters feel it is important to prevent illegal immigrants from accessing government benefits.

When asked about the significance of keeping illegal immigrants from utilizing programs like Medicaid and food stamps, 72% of respondents expressed that it was at least somewhat important. Out of that group, 48% deemed it “very” important. On the flip side, 15% felt it was “not very important,” while 10% said it was “not important at all.” A small percentage, about 3%, were unsure.

Interestingly, despite various narratives in mainstream media, there seems to be a general agreement across political affiliations. A majority of Republicans, Democrats, and independents agree that it’s at least somewhat important to prevent illegal immigrants from benefiting from these programs.

Notably, 59% of Democrats, 88% of Republicans, and 68% of independents view this issue as very or somewhat important.

When asked if the government is doing enough to stop illegal immigrants from gaining access to benefits, opinions varied. About 45% of voters felt that the government was doing enough, while 37% disagreed. The remaining 18% were uncertain.

Among Republicans, there’s a divide; 43% think the government’s efforts are sufficient, while the same percentage believes they are not. Among Democrats and independents, 46% from both camps feel that the government is adequately addressing the issue.

The survey took place from July 6 to July 7, 2025, involving 1,014 voters, and has a margin of error of +/- 3%.

This survey comes shortly before Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced measures to prevent illegal immigrants from accessing benefits provided by HHS.

The HHS has officially revoked a prior interpretation of the Personal Responsibility and Labor Opportunity Settlement Act (PRWORA) of 1998.

For over two decades, this policy had restricted the law’s scope, allowing illegal immigrants to access programs intended for American citizens. With this recent update, HHS aims to align with legal requirements, reinforcing transparency and fairness for the American populace.

In Kennedy’s statement, he expressed, “For too long, the government has separated the taxes of hardworking Americans to encourage illegal immigration. Today’s actions restore integrity to federal social programs, implement the rule of law, and protect important resources for Americans.”