Staff Reports
Taxpayers are about to foot an absolutely staggering bill thanks to President Biden’s latest immigration policy maneuver. A fresh analysis from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) reveals that we’re on the hook for at least $7 billion to let illegal immigrant “Dreamers” sign up for Obamacare. And guess what? The cost might skyrocket to $9 billion over the next decade if Congress decides to keep certain tax credits around. But that’s not all—toss in another $2 billion for debt service payments, bringing the grand total to a potential $11 billion. All this, for folks who aren’t even supposed to be here in the first place.
Here’s the kicker: about 110,000 illegal immigrants under the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program are expected to jump on this taxpayer-funded gravy train, thanks to Biden’s new policy. If Congress extends pandemic-era tax credits, that number could balloon to 140,000. Yes, you’re reading that right—more of your hard-earned money going to subsidize health insurance for people who entered the country unlawfully.
The CBO tries to throw in a feel-good line about saving some money on emergency care costs for DACA recipients. But let’s be real here—those savings are peanuts compared to the massive bill we’ll be racking up to provide them with subsidized coverage. And who asked for this analysis in the first place? None other than senior House Republicans, clearly trying to shine a light on this costly charade.
Let’s not forget the history lesson here. When Obamacare was originally crafted in 2010, it specifically blocked illegal immigrants from accessing taxpayer-funded benefits. This was double confirmed when President Obama announced DACA in 2012, with definitions deliberately written to prevent recipients from signing up for Obamacare by declaring them not lawfully present. Yet, in one fell swoop, Biden decided to change the definition to give DACA recipients full access. The irony is delicious, if it weren’t so infuriating.
Adding ‘Dreamers’ to Obamacare will cost at least $7 billionhttps://t.co/0ecgtdlXMJ pic.twitter.com/IxUXgQyTcf
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) June 25, 2024
Biden has the audacity to claim that Dreamers, who he describes as “our loved ones, our nurses, teachers, and small business owners,” deserve the promise of healthcare just like all legal citizens. Perhaps he’s forgotten that the good ol’ American taxpayer is the one actually footing the bill for this “promise.”
And guess when this change takes effect? November 1st, just in time for the election and the start of the next Obamacare open enrollment period. Could the timing be any more suspicious? It’s almost as if the administration is banking on the kindness of voters to overlook the hefty price tag. There may be 600,000 people enrolled in DACA, but many already have insurance through their jobs or state Medicaid expansions that cover illegal immigrants. Others simply won’t bother signing up. But for those who do, the taxpayer will be left picking up the tab. And that’s the naked truth, folks.
