Carl Higbie argued that immigrant-headed households use major welfare programs at substantially higher rates than households headed by U.S.-born Americans, saying taxpayers are being forced to support benefits that extend well beyond the programs included in federal welfare statistics.

Higbie began by pointing to data from the 2024 Survey of Income and Program Participation, focusing on household participation in government assistance programs.

The federal survey tracks income and participation in programs including SNAP, WIC, SSI and other forms of assistance.

"The 2024 Survey of Income and Program Participation indicates that 53% of households headed by immigrants, that's naturalized citizens, legal residents, and illegal immigrants, 53% used one or more major welfare programs," Higbie said.

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"59% of illegals, but only 37% of actual US-born Americans."

Higbie argued that those percentages do not capture what he views as the complete financial cost associated with immigration because several taxpayer-funded services are not included in the figures he cited.

"Yeah, keep this in mind. Doesn't include things like public school, using the ER as their primary care doctor, then they not pay the bill, you know, 911 emergency call, or the cost to prosecute a crime," Higbie said.

"That's not involved in all this."

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He then turned to Minnesota as an example of a Democratic-led state where immigrants can access a variety of public services regardless of immigration status.

"So, so what are immigrants getting?" Higbie asked.

"Let's walk through how your tax dollars are being allocated while you slave at work all day."

Higbie used a hypothetical Somali immigrant while describing benefits available in Minnesota.

"Let's say a Somali, I don't know, like Ilhan Omar, coming here legally or illegally, overstaying their visa, whatever," Higbie said.

"Here is what you get from a state like, oh, I don't know. Let's say Minnesota."

Minnesota allows residents to obtain a standard driver's license or identification card without providing proof of legal immigration status, although applicants still must meet identification, residency and testing requirements.

"They literally have like a factsheet, a factsheet that they just hand out to people coming here legally or illegally on what they can access," Higbie said.

"Hey, look at this. You get an identification, a driver's license, or a state ID for free. Stick around long enough, they might give you a CDL."

Higbie also highlighted public education and school meals while arguing that the total taxpayer expense goes beyond traditional welfare programs.

"Education, K through 12, public school, all children regardless of status in the state of Minnesota, and a lot of other blue states, can go," Higbie said.

He then turned to meals provided through schools.

"You're eligible for school meals sometimes," Higbie said.

"If you make over 100k, and you're born here in America, your kids aren't eligible. But non-citizens, yeah, they can get those meal plans for free. Well, you're paying for it."

Minnesota's Free School Meals Program provides participating students with breakfast and lunch at no charge during the school day.

Higbie argued that Minnesota is not alone in providing extensive public benefits and services to immigrants.

"Not just in Minnesota, though," he said.

"This is actually pretty common in almost every blue state."

He then returned to his broader argument that taxpayers are covering too much of the cost associated with immigrant households.

"You mad? I am," Higbie said.

Higbie concluded by describing immigrant households receiving welfare as a "public charge" and calling for their removal from the country.

"53% of these folks coming here are a public charge," Higbie said.

"Get them the hell out of this freaking country, man, because all of these states are taking my tax dollars while they do this."

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