WASHINGTON, D.C. – As the government shutdown extends into its fourth day, both Republicans and Democrats are pointing fingers at each other over the cause.
Republicans claim that Democrats are advocating for taxpayer-funded health care for undocumented immigrants. However, Democrats refute this, stating it is false.
Under a 1996 federal law, unauthorized immigrants are ineligible to receive federal social benefits, including Medicaid.
Democrats have been pushing to reverse parts of the Big Beautiful Bill that restrict certain lawful migrants from enrolling in those programs.
Matthew Lopas from the National Immigration Law Center highlighted the impact of these restrictions.
“That includes many people who are here as part of a humanitarian program, like refugees and asylees, people who are paroled in the US who are survivors of domestic violence,” Lopas stated.
Despite the shutdown’s duration, there seems to be little progress toward a resolution.
In a move to show solidarity, several congressional lawmakers have announced they will either donate or forego their salaries during the shutdown.
