Abstract:
Use of public assistance by noncitizens is controversial. Before 2018, institutionalization and receipt of cash benefits were considered as evidence of whether immigrants were likely to become a "public charge" and, therefore, ineligible for citizenship. But a new rule-proposed in 2018 and finalized in 2020-also made participation in SNAP/food stamps and Medicaid relevant as evidence. We examine whether participation in SNAP/food stamps and Medicaid among U.S.-born children-whose own eligibility for program participation should be unaffected by the new rule-has changed, based on the citizenship status of their parents. We find evidence that, after the 2018 proposal, U.S.-born children with noncitizen parents are less likely than the children of U.S.-born parents to participate in these programs. We discuss the literature on "chilling effects" and on the impact of safety net programs on children's long-term outcomes.