CFE Poll: Majority Oppose Child Tax Credit for Illegal Immigrants

Amidst the Biden administration’s struggle with the increasing public opposition to the high number of illegal immigrants entering the U.S., a recent poll reveals that 72% of Americans believe that those who entered the country illegally should not receive child tax credits.

According to a survey by the Center for Excellence in Polling, as reported by the Washington Examiner, the majority of likely voters are against granting child tax credits to illegal immigrants. Additionally, 56% of respondents oppose including them in the program even if they have U.S.-born children.

The Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024, recently passed by the House, aims to enhance and modify child tax credit provisions, including the low-income housing tax credit. This $78 billion package, as stated on the congressional website, still requires a vote in the Senate.

Concerns have been raised by some Republican lawmakers that the proposed legislation could benefit parents of U.S. citizen children who entered the country illegally.

On the House floor, Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, voiced opposition to the bill on Jan. 31, citing its potential expansion of the welfare state and provision of the Child Tax Credit to parents of children born in the U.S. who are in the country illegally.

Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga., expressed similar sentiments in a tweet, criticizing the bill and its implications for incentivizing illegal migration.

In response to the situation, the Safeguarding American Workers’ Benefits Act has been introduced in the Senate to close the loophole that currently allows illegal immigrants to receive federal child tax credits.

Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., highlighted the need to address the national debt and prevent taxpayer-funded benefits from being claimed by illegal immigrants flooding across the border. According to a statement, she emphasized the importance of curtailing government spending in light of the ongoing influx of illegal entries.

The Examiner reported strong support for measures like the Safeguarding American Workers’ Benefits Act based on the survey findings.

Conducted by the Foundation for Government Accountability’s polling arm, the survey’s results were discussed by Tarren Bragdon, the organization’s president and CEO. Bragdon underscored the detrimental impact of open borders and a generous welfare system on American families, urging Senate Republicans to align with public sentiment in their legislative decisions.