First appearance on Fox: A House Republican from Michigan wants to know whether federal tax dollars are being used to subsidize housing for illegal immigrants.
Rep. Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) sent a letter directly to President Biden on Wednesday regarding the federal government’s Office of Refugee Resettlement, arguing that the grant process “raises a number of troubling questions.” .
Funds awarded by the agency will be used for Michigan’s Newcomer Rental Subsidy Program, which provides eligible refugees and asylum seekers with rental assistance of up to $500 per month. But critics of the program say it is vulnerable to abuse by undocumented immigrants.
Trump declares border a ‘war zone’ and slams Newsom for doing a ‘terrible job’ over migrant flood
Michigan Republican Rep. Lisa McClain wrote a letter to President Biden, grilling him about whether the federal government subsidizes rent for undocumented immigrants. (Demetrius Freeman/Washington Post via Getty Images | Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
“You are failing to protect our borders and the annual number of border encounters is up from 859,501. [fiscal year 2019] In just the first five months of fiscal year 2024, the refugee resettlement program will only increase the burden on American taxpayers,” McClain wrote in a letter to Biden.
To qualify, immigrants must be refugees, asylum seekers, special immigrant visa holders, victims of human trafficking, Cuban and Haitian immigrants, and Afghan or Ukrainian humanitarian parolees. Immigrants whose applications are only pending are also eligible.
Texas at odds with Justice Department after circuit court blocks anti-illegal immigration law
Democratic Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has taken criticism for her state’s program that gives rental assistance to asylum seekers. (Bill Priano/Getty Images)
Republican critics argue this means immigrants who cross the border illegally and apply for asylum to avoid deportation could benefit from the subsidies.
If an immigrant cannot provide proof of income, such as a payroll check or bank statement, the applicant must explain in writing why the document is missing. One of the options available to them is ‘cash payment’.
In his letter, McClain directly asked Biden whether U.S. tax dollars are being used to provide housing assistance to undocumented immigrants, and if not, he would “prevent U.S. tax dollars from being used to provide housing assistance to undocumented immigrants. What is the government doing to achieve this?” For those who break our laws and cross our borders illegally? ”
WATCH: Dashcam footage shows Texas National Guard member arrested on suspicion of smuggling immigrants
She also said that given the record number of people crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, the U.S. federal government’s refugee resettlement aid would be a “new move as the government rolls out the red carpet and attracts more people to illegally refugee.” Isn’t there a possibility that it could be seen as an incentive?” Beyond our borders. ”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
A Fox News analysis found that nearly 7.3 million immigrants illegally crossed the Southwest border last month under the Biden administration, more than the population of 36 individual states.
Fox News Digital has reached out to both Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s office and the White House for comment.
