ROYBAL-ALLARD CALLS ON PRESIDENT TO SUPPORT
FOOD STAMPS FOR LEGAL PERMANENT RESIDENTS

Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard today joined the Congressional Hispanic Caucus in calling on President Bush to ensure that the Farm Bill now being considered by Congress will restore greater eligibility for food stamps to Legal Permanent Residents and their children.

Roybal-Allard made the following statement:

"I join my colleagues today in asking the Republican leadership to restore eligibility for food stamps for legal permanent residents.

As the world's wealthiest nation, it is inexcusable that a high rate of hunger exists among low-income legal permanent resident families living in this country. We must not allow this tragic situation to continue. No one in this country, especially innocent children, should go hungry.

A significant number of low-income children in the U.S. - more than one in five - belong to legal immigrant families, and according to the Urban Institute, 37% of these families worry constantly about having enough money to buy food for their children.

Legal immigrants have played by the rules and deserve to be treated fairly. They work hard and pay taxes that support the food-stamp program.

Because legal permanent residents are often hit hardest in times of economic downturn, it is critical that they have access to the most basic of safety-net programs in their time of need.

Congress must expand access to food stamps with eligibility rules that are simple, straightforward, and fair.

I therefore urge the President to help us persuade the Republican leadership to restore eligibility for food stamps to legal permanent residents and to streamline the requirements for these hardworking, tax-paying, legal immigrants who are striving to realize the American dream of a better life."

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Congresswoman Roybal-Allard
Washington, D.C., Office: 2330 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515. Phone: (202) 225-1766. Fax: (202) 226-0350.
District Office: 255 E. Temple St., Ste. 1860, Los Angeles, CA 90012-3334. Phone: (213) 628-9230. Fax: (213) 628-8578.