72%, It's Worse Than We Thought

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Well, this is eye-opening. A recent analysis from the Center for Immigration Studies, drawing on U.S. Census data, has spotlighted a troubling reality about welfare dependency among immigrant groups. The chart in question ranks over 100 countries by the percentage of their U.S.-based households receiving government benefits, and Somalia stands out at the top with a staggering 72% of Somali-born households on welfare. That's nearly double the 38% average for all immigrants and far exceeds rates for most other nationalities.

To break it down, the chart illustrates welfare use across categories like food stamps, Medicaid, cash assistance, and housing subsidies. For Somali households, the reliance is pervasive, with data showing that in Minnesota—home to the largest Somali community in the U.S.—the figure climbs even higher to 81%. There, 73% are on Medicaid, 54% receive food stamps, and 27% get cash welfare. Alarmingly, 89% of Somali households with children depend on some form of aid. These numbers aren't just statistics; they represent a massive drain on taxpayer resources, highlighting how certain immigration patterns burden the system rather than contribute to it.

What's particularly alarming is the context of widespread fraud exacerbating this issue. Federal investigations in Minnesota have uncovered schemes involving over $1 billion in alleged welfare theft, primarily within the Somali community. Prosecutors have charged dozens in scams targeting child nutrition programs, autism services, and housing aid during the pandemic. Fake nonprofits and inflated claims siphoned funds meant for vulnerable Americans, with some estimates putting the total fraud at $250 million in one program alone. This isn't isolated; it's part of a pattern where high welfare dependency intersects with criminal exploitation, costing states billions and eroding public trust.

We can't ignore the implications. Over 72% of Somali households on welfare means the majority aren't self-sufficient, relying on American taxpayers to foot the bill for housing, healthcare, and food. This isn't about helping refugees integrate—it's about a failed system that imports poverty and perpetuates dependency. Native-born households in Minnesota use benefits at just 21%, underscoring the disparity. Why are we allowing this when our own citizens struggle? It's unsustainable and unfair, funneling resources away from those who've built this country.

Perhaps it's time to reconsider our immigration policy entirely. We need stricter vetting to prioritize skilled, self-reliant individuals who can contribute economically from day one. That means requiring English proficiency, education, and job prospects before entry. Withdraw from international refugee agreements that force us to accept groups with proven high dependency rates. And for those already here committing fraud? Swift deportation and asset seizures. America should be a land of opportunity, not a global welfare office. By reforming policies to favor assimilation and productivity, we can protect our resources and ensure immigration benefits everyone—not just drains the system. This chart is a wake-up call; let's heed it before the costs become irreversible.