Advocate for Immigration Reform to Favor Skilled, Self-Sufficient Newcomers

Reducing welfare use by immigrants could save taxpayers billions, but Congress must act before midterms.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 5:20pm

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An abstract, fragmented painting in warm earth tones, cool blues, and muted greys, with overlapping geometric shapes and brushstrokes conveying the complex, fast-moving nature of U.S. immigration policy debates.As Congress debates immigration reform, a fractured, avant-garde painting captures the complex, fast-moving nature of the policy debates.NYC Today

Betsy McCaughey, a former lieutenant governor of New York, argues that U.S. immigration laws should be rewritten to prioritize educated, skilled immigrants who are less likely to rely on welfare. She says more than half of immigrant households use welfare, costing taxpayers billions, and that Congress needs to pass reform legislation before the next election.

Why it matters

The high rate of welfare usage among immigrant households is straining government budgets and making social programs less sustainable for Americans in need. Reforming immigration laws to favor self-sufficient, economically valuable newcomers could boost the economy and reduce the taxpayer burden.

The details

McCaughey says current law bars legal immigrants from taking welfare benefits for five years and illegal immigrants from benefits entirely, but many still find ways to access a wide range of costly handouts, including subsidized housing, Medicaid, and food assistance, often by claiming benefits for their American-born children. She argues Congress should implement a points-based system that rewards factors like English proficiency, education, and work history to prioritize immigrants likely to be economically self-sufficient.

  • In 2019, former President Trump invoked a law to deny permanent status to immigrants who used public benefits.
  • In November 2025, Trump restored the 'public charge' rule that Biden had revoked.
  • The Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the birthright citizenship case Trump v. Barbara in 2026.

The players

Betsy McCaughey

A former lieutenant governor of New York and the chairman and founder of the Committee to Reduce Infection Deaths.

Donald Trump

The former president who took steps to reduce welfare use by immigrants, including invoking the 'public charge' rule to deny permanent status to those relying on public benefits.

Joe Biden

The former president who revoked Trump's 'public charge' rule, but whose 'give away the store to immigrants' mentality McCaughey criticizes.

John Roberts

The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, who indicated during oral arguments in Trump v. Barbara that the Court is unlikely to overturn birthright citizenship based on modern-day problems.

D. John Sauer

The solicitor general who argued for the Trump administration in the birthright citizenship case, citing modern immigration issues like birth tourism and illegal border crossings.

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What they’re saying

“The world may be new, but it's 'the same Constitution'.”

— John Roberts, Chief Justice

“Denying medical and food benefits to families with children is understandably unpopular. The smarter approach is to revamp our immigration laws.”

— Betsy McCaughey, Former Lieutenant Governor of New York

What’s next

The Supreme Court is expected to rule on the birthright citizenship case, Trump v. Barbara, which could impact future immigration policy.

The takeaway

Reforming immigration laws to prioritize educated, skilled, and economically self-sufficient newcomers could significantly reduce the taxpayer burden of welfare usage by immigrant households and boost the U.S. economy, but Congress must act quickly before the next election.