FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Tony Bell, Communications Deputy
Office: (213) 974-5555
Cell: (213) 215-5176
tbell@bos.lacounty.gov

2009 WELFARE COSTS FOR CHILDREN OF ILLEGAL ALIENS EXCEEDED A HALF BILLION DOLLARS

February 5, 2010—“Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich released figures from the Department of Public Social Services showing that illegal aliens’ children born in the United States collected nearly $570 million in welfare and food stamps in 2009.

Approximately 23% of all CALWORKS and food stamp issuances in Los Angeles County are made to parents who reside in the United States illegally and collect benefits for their native-born children. 

  “When you add this to $350 million for public safety and nearly $500 million for healthcare, the total cost for illegal immigrants to County taxpayers far exceeds $1 billion a year – not including the millions of dollars for education,” said Antonovich.