Real News From The Blaze': US Partners With Mexico on Food Stamp Outreach

The Daily Caller reported Thursday that the United States has been working with the Mexican government since 2004 to boost food stamp participation among Mexican-Americans, Mexican nationals and migrant communities in America. The DC reports that the United States Department of Agriculture provides to the Mexican government materials that include English and Spanish brochures titled “Five Easy Steps To Snap Benefits,” “How To Get Food Help — A Consumer’s Guide to FNCS Programs,” “Ending Hunger Improving Nutrition Combating Obesity,” and posters with slogans like “Food Stamps Make America Stronger," to use at the Mexican Embassy and Mexican consulates in America for educating and promoting use of program in the United States.

The partnership — which was signed by former USDA Secretary Ann M. Veneman and Mexican Secretary of Foreign Affairs Luis Ernesto Derbez Bautista in 2004 — sees to it that the Mexican Embassy and Mexican consulates in America provide USDA nutrition assistance program information to Mexican Americans, Mexican nationals working in America and migrant communities in America. The information is specifically focused on eligibility criteria and access.

The goal, for USDA, is to get rid of what they see as enrollment obstacles and increase access among potentially eligible populations by working with arms of the Mexican government in America. Benefits are not guaranteed or provided under the program — the purpose is outreach and education.

While there is no indication that food stamps are being promoted in connection to illegal-immigration, the partnership raises serious questions about the type of environment and lifestyle that the U.S. is encouraging for recent immigrants. On "Real News" Thursday, the panel discussed whether the policy promotes a cycle of dependency for newcomers rather than providing a temporary service to those in need. Watch a clip from the segment below: