WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — Welfare use among non-citizens in the United States remains high and varies widely by region and country of origin, according to a recent analysis of federal survey data. The findings highlight how education levels and income shape reliance on government assistance programs.
The report uses data from the Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement (CPS ASEC) from 2023 to 2025. It shows that 47% of households headed by non-citizens use at least one traditional welfare program. That figure rises to 54% when tax credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) are included.
By comparison, 28% of U.S.-born households use traditional welfare. About 31% qualify when tax credits are included. These programs include Medicaid, food stamps, housing aid, and school meal programs. Experts say the difference largely reflects income levels, family size, and access to jobs that pay higher wages.
Welfare use differs sharply by region of origin. Non-citizens from Central America show the highest rates, with about 74% of households using some form of welfare or qualifying for tax credits. The Caribbean follows at 65%, while South America stands at 53%.
The Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa also show high levels, at 51% and 46%, respectively. In contrast, non-citizens from South Asia have the lowest rate at 19%. Europe and East Asia also report lower usage rates. These differences reflect education levels, job opportunities, and earnings potential across immigrant groups.
The data also reveals large differences between countries. Households from Afghanistan report the highest welfare use at 87%. The Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico also show high rates. On the other end, households from India report one of the lowest rates at 16%. Canada, the United Kingdom, and South Korea also show relatively low usage. Researchers link these trends to education. Countries with higher average schooling levels tend to have lower welfare use in the U.S.
The report challenges a common belief that welfare is mainly for people who do not work. In reality, many non-citizen households include workers. About 88% of non-citizen households have at least one worker. Yet 46% of working non-citizen households still use traditional welfare. That number rises to 53% when tax credits are included. Low wages often explain this pattern. Many workers earn too little to support their families without assistance.
Education emerges as a major factor in welfare use. The report finds a strong link between years of schooling and lower reliance on benefits. Each additional year of education reduces welfare use by nearly seven percentage points. This trend holds even among working households. Higher education often leads to better-paying jobs. That reduces the need for public assistance.
Federal law restricts many non-citizens from accessing welfare programs. However, the report finds these limits have only a modest effect.
Many non-citizens receive benefits on behalf of U.S.-born children. About 36% of non-citizen households include at least one U.S.-born minor. These children qualify for benefits regardless of their parents’ status. Some states also offer assistance to immigrants using their own funds. In addition, many legal immigrants have lived in the U.S. long enough to qualify for federal programs.
