Rubén Hinojosa: “I come before Members today to tell them about the drastic effects of the welfare reform law passed by the 104th…”

“I come before Members today to tell them about the drastic effects of the welfare reform law passed by the 104th Congress. Specifically, I want to share with Members an example of someone who has been tragically affected by the welfare reform law. Mr. Rosendo Tijerina is a legal immigrant who has worked in Texas for 11 years. Last November he was involved in a serious auto accident. His legs and pelvis were crushed and his heart was injured as well. He is now totally disabled. Yet under the welfare reform law, Mr. Tijerina is not eligible for supplemental security income. He has worked hard, paid his taxes, integrated himself and his family into his community and has been a contributor to our country's economy. He deserves better treatment than this. Mr. Tijerina and the other 125,000 legal immigrants who will be denied benefits under the law need to have these benefits restored. In my own State of Texas more than 34,000 legal immigrants are expected to be denied benefits. Mr. Speaker, I ask that these people be given some consideration.”