United States President Donald Trump has sparked a fresh wave of debate over immigration and social spending after claiming that approximately 33.3% of Nigerian immigrant households in the U.S. receive some form of public support.
The President shared these figures via his Truth Social account on Sunday, citing a chart titled Immigrant Welfare Recipient Rates by Country of Origin. The data covers 114 countries and territories, detailing the proportion of immigrant households accessing social programs, including healthcare, food assistance, and other government-funded initiatives.
Breakdown of the Findings
The chart shared by the President suggests a significant variance in welfare participation based on the country of origin. While the figure for Nigerian households stands at roughly one-third, several other nations showed substantially higher rates of dependency:
| Country/Territory | Welfare Participation Rate |
|---|---|
| Bhutan | 81.4% |
| Yemen | 75.2% |
| Somalia | 71.9% |
| Marshall Islands | 71.4% |
| Dominican Republic | 68.1% |
| Afghanistan | 68.1% |
| Congo | 66.0% |
| Guinea | 65.8% |
| Samoa | 63.4% |
| Cape Verde | 63.1% |
| Nigeria | 33.3% |
Context and Policy Implications
The release of these figures comes amidst the Trump administration’s intensified focus on immigration reform and the fiscal impact of foreign-born residents on the American economy.
Trump has frequently argued that the U.S. immigration system should prioritize individuals who are financially self-sufficient, often criticizing the “public charge” aspect of current migration trends. Critics, however, argue that these statistics often fail to account for the long-term economic contributions of immigrant communities, including tax revenue and labor participation in essential sectors.
The data regarding Nigerian immigrants is particularly noteworthy given that previous studies, including those by the Migration Policy Institute, have often ranked Nigerian immigrants among the most highly educated and professional groups in the United States.
Broader Trends
The chart details participation across a wide spectrum of programs, though it does not specify the duration of the assistance or whether it includes temporary support received shortly after arrival (particularly for refugees from high-conflict zones like Afghanistan and Yemen).
The President’s post has already generated significant traction online, with supporters calling for stricter entry requirements and opponents questioning the methodology and timing of the data release.
Source: Africa Publicity
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