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Report: Feds Have Met With Mexican Gov’t 151 Times to Promote Fed ‘Assistance Programs,’ Non-Citizen Participation Has Quadrupled Since 2001

Oct. 1, 2012 4:39pm Becket Adams

Members of the Obama administration have met with Mexican government officials approximately 30 times to discuss the promotion of government nutrition assistance programs (such as food stamps) “among Mexican Americans, Mexican nationals and migrant communities in America,” according to a new report from The Daily Caller’s Caroline May.

The number of meetings was disclosed by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in a letter to Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) who inquired into the feds little-known promotional program back in July.

“The Mexico-U.S. Partnership for Nutrition Assistance Initiative is just one of a wide range of USDA partnership activities intended to promote awareness of nutrition assistance among those who need benefits and meet all program requirements under current law,” Vilsack wrote to Sen. Sessions in a letter obtained by TheDC.

This would make it roughly 151 times since the nutritional assistance partnership was started under President George W. Bush that U.S. officials have met with representatives from Mexico’s government “to discuss nutrition assistance programs as well as to provide program updates.”

“Those instances included 91 meetings with embassy and consulate staff in 25 U.S. cities; 29 health fairs in 19 U.S. cities; and 31 roundtable discussions, conferences and forums in 20 U.S. cities,” May notes. “Roughly 30 of these meetings and activities occurred under the Obama administration.”

According to Vilsack’s letter, this number may or may not be entirely accurate as a few of the meetings “may not have been recorded.” The agriculture secretary also maintains that the USDA isn’t looking to “boost its rolls” or pressure anyone into enrolling.

In response to the agriculture secretary’s letter, the Senate Budget Committee Republican staff under Ranking Member Sen. Sessions on Monday released the following graph:

“We do not pressure any eligible person to accept benefits, nor is our goal to simply increase the number of program participants,” Vilsack writes.

Of course, this seems at odds with the “outreach” portion of the USDA’s website which flatly states that its purpose is to “increase participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program [i.e. food stamps]“.

“[W]e are determined to help people in need make informed decisions about whether or not to seek assistance for which they may be eligible,” the letter adds.

Legal non-citizen participation in SNAP has jumped 190 percent from 2001 to 2010, from 425,000 to 1.23 million legal non-citizen participants, according to figures revealed in the letter.

“That number rose 77 percent since the program’s inception in 2004, when it served 693,000 non-citizen participants,” May notes.

“USDA did not offer data for 2011 and 2012, but a Republican Budget Committee staffer told TheDC that based on the growth rate, the number of legal non-citizens participating in the food stamp program today is about 1.63 million. That’s more than double the number of legal non-citizens who participated in 2008,” she adds.

Vilisack’s letter was also careful to note that illegal immigrants are barred from participation in SNAP.

“I share the goal stated in your letter,” Vilsack’s letter said in reference to Sen. Session’s July inquiry, “which is to help people move toward gainful employment and financial independence.”

“At the same time, the Nation’s nutrition assistance programs have never been needed more to help struggling families until they get back on their feet. I hope that this information clarifies our efforts and my views on these vital program,” the letter concludes.

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Click here to read May’s full report.

Front page photo source courtesy the AP.

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Comments (73)

TheRooster
Posted on October 1, 2012 at 5:36pm
Nothing new here. When I lived in Del Rio (TX) back in the 90s it was a standing joke that Mexicans got their groceries in the US because they were free and Americans got theirs on the Mexican side because that was all they could afford.

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- KBARRANCH
  Posted on October 1, 2012 at 7:04pm
  Why in the Hell do these Bastards in Govt keep using the word “benefits”??? Call that $hit what it really is. Wel-Effing-Fare!!! Benefits are for people who have vested interest in a program. While we are on the subject, let’s call a spade a spade, they are not non citizens, they are Mesikans 90% of the time. They have destroyed their country, what makes us think they can “benefit” ours… Gosh-damnit I am one pissed off SOB…
  
  Report this comment
- Detroit paperboy
  Posted on October 1, 2012 at 7:34pm
  They can’t give our grand kids money away fast enough, and I’m about done payin for it………
  
  Report this comment
- db321
  Posted on October 1, 2012 at 7:45pm
  We have enough money to get through this election then ALL Welfare recipients will loose everything. They don’t see it coming, but after they worship Obama for the past 4 years, I’m not sure God is going to be there to protect them from starving to death. They are going to get everything they want.
  
  Report this comment
- muffythetuffy
  Posted on October 1, 2012 at 8:19pm
  Can Mexicans use those Food Stamps in Mexico? No where in the US Constitution does it state that a person has to be in American to receive Government benefits.
  
  Report this comment
- dmerwin
  Posted on October 1, 2012 at 10:09pm
  Another successful government ploy to take my tax money and waste it. Thank you, Barack!
  
  Report this comment
- Deadbang
  Posted on October 1, 2012 at 10:46pm
  Pretty freaking sad when non residents, no lets call them what they are illegals can get foodstamps. We can’t take care of everybody. Maybe if we stopped giving them food shelter and college education for breaking the law they wouldn’t flock ot this country. As much as I don’t want to believe it this once great nation is making it last few swirls around the toilet bowl.
  
  Report this comment
- Obama Been Lauding
  Posted on October 2, 2012 at 5:17am
  If you sit a bowl of cat food outside your door, what will a cat do?
  For all you dumba**es, they will be there every day, waiting on that bowl of food!!!!
  In other words, stop sitting the taxpayer bowl of money out for “ILLEGAL IMIGRANTS”!
  
  Report this comment
thibx
Posted on October 1, 2012 at 5:29pm
sometimes you can only shake your heads and say “what are these damn fools thinking” oh i know vote,vote,vote,vote and make sure its for the demon-nuts.

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- dwilco77
  Posted on October 1, 2012 at 5:43pm
  Wow – thats almost as many parties as they have had the White House since May.
  
  Report this comment
Eric_The_Red_State
Posted on October 1, 2012 at 5:25pm
The problem with Socialism is you eventually run out of other peoples money.

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- BloodSweatandTears
  Posted on October 1, 2012 at 7:03pm
  Said Margaret Thatcher. When people had some $$$.
  
  Report this comment
moreteaplease
Posted on October 1, 2012 at 5:25pm
“We do not pressure any eligible person to accept benefits ( I wouldn’t think you’d need to, considering the target demographic ), nor is our goal to simply increase the number of program participants,” Vilsack writes. ( Don’t know that I buy that one since the “number” could also be seen as possible votes for Obama.)

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- OutOfTheAether
  Posted on October 1, 2012 at 7:08pm
  I’m with you. Are we trying to buy votes here? All I could think while reading the article was “You’ve GOT to be kidding me”
  
  Report this comment
progressiveslayer
Posted on October 1, 2012 at 5:22pm
This story alone is enough to enrage taxpayers to vote the Marxist mulatto maggot bastard born with a steely Dan in his mouth POS fraud in chief out of office.Are you enraged enough?

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- BODYBAG
  Posted on October 1, 2012 at 5:40pm
  Vote? This should be enough for citizens to storm the castle and drag these
  people out to a citizen tribunal where they should be tried and hung.
  
  What’s it going to take for the citizens of this nation to get MOTIVATED & ANGRY?
  
  This is all the proof you need for CLOWARD-PIVEN. If you’re reading this and
  dont know what that is then please LOOK IT UP.
  
  Report this comment
Eric_The_Red_State
Posted on October 1, 2012 at 5:21pm
When “Booger”, the gas jockey down the street gets to decide who the leader of the most powerful nation in the world is — and he can be bought with a free “Obama Phone” — then you know our society is doomed.

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- dixie63
  Posted on October 1, 2012 at 8:18pm
  Excellent post.
  
  Report this comment
SlyFox123
Posted on October 1, 2012 at 5:20pm
z

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turkey13
Posted on October 1, 2012 at 5:20pm
Woops – I think NASCAR is in big trouble! I just read where they are moving the Nationwide series race back to the USA in March. The race will be moved to Phoenix. Nascar thought the Mexicans would actually pay to watch. When I watched the race this year you could see all the fans on hills around the track watching for free. The France family should know they didn’t build NASCAR, the government did it.

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SlyFox123
Posted on October 1, 2012 at 5:20pm
We, the citizens of this country have been lied too, for so long that it’s more then a Sin and a Shame, it’s just down right CRIMINAL.
There is really not one person who is or was ever a politco….that is was ever worth a {tinkers damm}.
Each and every one of these “people” have talked to us (the citizens of this country) out of the sides of there mouths…..It’s a down right shame!

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elosogrande
Posted on October 1, 2012 at 5:20pm
I believe nutritional assistance for non-citizens is to be commended. We should give these people whatever is needed to keep them health and send the bill to their home countries to cover ALL of our costs. If they refuse to pay, deduct it from the dues we are forced to pay to the U.N. They can, in turn, try to get reimbursed by the countries who disrespectfully STIFF US!

My point? The Taxpayers shouldn’t have money confiscated from them for this or any other costsd incurred by legal or illegal aliens. Their home countries should pick up the tab, and we should pick up the tab for our citizens who have illegally entered another country and gone on some kind of public assistance. If we do this, it will all even out – right?

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- Yeah_Buddy
  Posted on October 1, 2012 at 5:54pm
  Yeah, can we bill them for education, subsidized housing and health care too? This alone would get our ledger back in black. Chances of it happening…ummm…
  
  Report this comment
vamom2
Posted on October 1, 2012 at 5:17pm
Absolutely repulsive!!! Those of us here legally get screwed and supposed to smile and say thank you to this admistration!!! Enough already!!! We are broke!!!

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cwrink
Posted on October 1, 2012 at 5:15pm
Enticing the illegals to cross the border. No wonder the government. wants no border security.

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turkey13
Posted on October 1, 2012 at 5:13pm
@cleets4feets I think you misunderstood about the EBT cards since I don’t know either, but I saw a sign at Murphys at Wal-mart and they only sell gas & smokes.

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OneNextToOne
Posted on October 1, 2012 at 5:12pm
A disabled neighbor of mine went to apply for food stamps. She had gone on the internet and according to the USDA site, she was qualified. The first thing they did at the office was hand her a form inquiring about whether she wanted to register to vote. When she said she was already registered, they told her that she had to fill out the form explaining that. Then and only then, did they ask her to list her expenses and income. And then told her that she was not qualified. That the USDA site tells everyone they are qualified. I believe that this is really the reason there is a push on to get people to register for foodstamps. It is a push to get them registered to vote.

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- LeaveMeBe
  Posted on October 1, 2012 at 7:44pm
  I’ve heard of this with certain social security benefits. Tell them to keep applying, it should take no more than six times to get it.
  
  Report this comment
thekuligs
Posted on October 1, 2012 at 5:10pm
Let me just tell you that they DO pressure you. My husband is an E-5 and they practically jam government benefits down our throat. We don’t take anything. We pay to feed our 5 kids ourselves when everyone else my husband works with has family on WIC and SNAP–and they ALL drive newer cars than me, have iphones, and designer purses. Because they get more money for food for their 2-3 kids then I spend on my whole family. Our society has no idea how to manage wants vs needs and they package this like people are entitled to it. Makes me SICK.

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- Elena2010
  Posted on October 1, 2012 at 6:56pm
  Thank you for your service, too! May your children always know that you love them :-D
  
  Semper Fi,
  Retired Navy Chaplain
  
  Report this comment
- LOTO
  Posted on October 1, 2012 at 7:50pm
  Thank you also!
  How can a military defend The Constitution when its soldiers are beholding to pensions and programs?
  
  Report this comment
Capt_Gregg
Posted on October 1, 2012 at 5:08pm
That it began under the Bush administration is infuriating, but let’s skip on up the timeline a bit. This administration has met with Mexican official 30 time to discuss food stamps. Where are their priorities? How many meetings have they had with Mexican officials concerning Fast & Furious? They want to be sure that illegals in this country don’t go hungry, but, not only do they do not seem to care that F & F has killed hundreds of Mexican citizens (and a few of our own), but willfully facilitated those murders.

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floridareader
Posted on October 1, 2012 at 5:02pm
Whoever says he didn’t meet his promises is wrong:
Fundamentally change America… has done quite a lot of changes (for the bad, of course)
Spread the wealth around (He’s been very diligent on that)
Create jobs: in China and other countries that hate America
Make sure everybody would have healthcare: at any cost.
Change Washington: D.C. sits in the wealthiest county in the country.
Become energy independent: in short time all of us will be riding bicycles and won’t use cars and won’t be buying expensive gas.
End Iraq war: in the process, and started Afghanistan, Egypt, Libya, Syria…
Secure borders: made them safer for illegal aliens
He’s been very busy, and hasn’t finished. That’s why he grades him self as: incomplete.

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Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on October 1, 2012 at 5:02pm
Nothing new or shocking, treason from Obama on down.

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Eric_The_Red_State
Posted on October 1, 2012 at 5:02pm
So what are —– YOU — going to do about it?

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Cleats4Feets
Posted on October 1, 2012 at 5:01pm
I was at a Department store the other day (IN FLORIDA) that ONLY SELLS CLOTHS and they have a sign in the window that says NOW ACCEPTING EBT CARDS!!!!!!!!!!!

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- LOTO
  Posted on October 1, 2012 at 7:56pm
  Its a kind of a twist on FDR’s Blue Eagle Program.
  
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Cleats4Feets
Posted on October 1, 2012 at 4:53pm
This is Treason on all levels of Government, Republicans and Democrats. We the people need to get a hold of our government before its to late!

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paulwbrown
Posted on October 1, 2012 at 4:53pm
Have to cultivate those future voters. It is not enough just to make our own citizens dependent as we can always print or borrow more money to give away.

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c130herk
Posted on October 1, 2012 at 4:51pm
Sold Out AGAIN by our own Government
Wake up People we are broke and they just go on & on
America is gone
Freedom gone
Your Rights gone
Its over

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Elena2010
Posted on October 1, 2012 at 4:45pm
Scream like your **** is on fire and your pants are catching!

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- paulwbrown
  Posted on October 1, 2012 at 4:53pm
  Or vote!
  
  Report this comment
JAMACAMECRAZYMAN
Posted on October 1, 2012 at 4:43pm
Why don’t we just cut the chase and give EVERYTHING away?

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- 2MINUTESTOMIDNIGHT
  Posted on October 1, 2012 at 5:01pm
  We have, and more. How do you think we got to 16 trillion in debt?
  
  Report this comment

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