A new Rasmussen Reports survey, conducted July 6-7, 2025, shows American voters strongly support limiting government benefits like Medicaid and food stamps for illegal immigrants. The poll of 1,014 likely voters, with a ±3 percent margin of error, reveals a clear public demand for prioritizing resources for citizens.
Strong Consensus Across Parties
When asked, “How important is it to prevent illegal immigrants from getting government benefits like Medicaid and food stamps?” 72 percent of respondents said it’s at least somewhat important.
A striking 48 percent called it “very” important, while only 15 percent deemed it “not very important” and 10 percent “not at all important.” Just 3 percent were undecided.
This view unites voters across the political spectrum. Among Democrats, 59 percent see restricting benefits as important, joined by 88 percent of Republicans and 68 percent of independents. This shared stance defies mainstream media narratives, pointing to a common priority among Americans.
Divided Opinions on Government Efforts
On whether the government is doing enough to block illegal immigrants from accessing benefits, responses were mixed. 45 percent believe current efforts are sufficient, while 37 percent disagree, and 18 percent are unsure.
Republicans split evenly, with 43 percent on each side, while 46 percent of both Democrats and independents think the government’s actions are adequate.
A Pivotal Policy Change
Days after the survey, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced a major shift. This month, HHS moved to bar illegal immigrants from accessing its benefits, reversing a decades-old policy.
An HHS press release explained: “HHS has formally rescinded a 1998 interpretation of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA), issued during the Clinton Administration, which improperly extended certain federal public benefits to illegal aliens.”
It added: “For over two decades, the 1998 policy improperly narrowed the scope of PRWORA, undercutting the law by allowing illegal aliens to access programs Congress intended only for the American people. With this update, HHS is complying with the law—ensuring that federal benefits are administered with transparency, legal integrity, and fairness to the American people.”
Safeguarding Resources for Americans
Kennedy’s statement framed the change as a restoration of fairness: “For too long, the government has diverted hardworking Americans’ tax dollars to incentivize illegal immigration. Today’s action changes that—it restores integrity to federal social programs, enforces the rule of law, and protects vital resources for the American people.”
The HHS move echoes the public’s sentiment, as captured by the Rasmussen poll, for protecting benefits for citizens. As immigration debates persist, this alignment of policy and public opinion emphasizes a push for accountability in how taxpayer-funded programs are managed.
The Fairview Gazette will keep you updated on any immigration news.
