By Guy Page
(Editor’s note: this version is the second update of the original version of this story posted at noon today. It contains corrections and clarifications.)
A bill approved by the Vermont Senate would enable non-citizens to receive Vermont Student Assistance (VSAC) grants for non-degree educational programs.
Tuesday the Senate gave preliminary approval to S.191, a bill that (as first introduced) would enable “refugees, asylees, asylum seekers, humanitarian parolees, or special immigrant visa holders” to access VSAC advancement grants. An amendment to the bill passed by the Senate appears to provide access regardless of immigration status – although language elsewhere limits recipients to non-citizens with legal status, such as Afghan refugees.
VDC is in discussion with bill sponsor Sen. Nader Hashim about the bill’s VSAC eligibility standards.
Senate leaders’ comments focus on preparing New Americans for higher-skilled jobs.
“This bill intends to support New Americans in affording and entering into non-degree educational programs after arriving in Vermont,” a spokesperson for Senate Pro Tem Philip Baruth (D-Chittenden) said Tuesday.
“There are many factors that go into making immigration successful,” said sponsor Hashim (D-Windham), whose family immigrated to the U.S.. “One of those factors is ensuring folks from different parts of the world feel welcome, safe and supported in Vermont’s community. I believe this bill will support New Americans in building their lives in Vermont.”
An advancement grant is intended to help Vermonters enhance job skills and improve employability. These grants can be used for non-degree educational purposes, or to help an individual start the process of getting their licensure in a specific field. Some examples of programming that would qualify for advancement grants include driver’s education, English language, CDL licensure, dental assistants, construction, culinary arts, and many other fields.
“New Americans are a valued part of Vermont communities and culture,” said Baruth. “It’s critical that we continue to do the work to dismantle barriers and expand opportunities for New Americans so they can thrive in this state. I’m thankful to Senator Hashim for his work on this important bill.”
Third and final reading of S.191 is scheduled for today in the Senate. If approved it will move on to the House.
Other legislation regarding illegal immigration includes:
H.723 states: “The Agency shall develop criteria for awards under this section, including priority eligibility for businesses owned by persons of color and indigenous peoples and businesses owned by new Americans. U.S. citizenship shall not be a requirement for eligibility under the program.” The bill is now in House Environment and Energy is unlikely to be voted out before Friday’s crossover deadline for policy-related bills.
S.52, introduced into the Senate Jan. 31 by sponsor Sen. Ruth Hardy (D-Addison), would “expand eligibility for health care coverage to all income-eligible individuals over 18 years of age who are ineligible for Medicaid and for premium tax credits on the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange due to their immigration status by July 1, 2024.”
Illegal immigrant children have been covered under a Medicaid-like health insurance program since July, 2022. The new legislation, if it becomes law, would provide coverage regardless of age or immigration status.
H.141, sponsored by Rep. Laura Sibilia, requires the Vermont Refugee Office find a third-party organization to conduct a $25,000 assessment (including funding sources) and inventory of all immigration support groups. The legislation does not explain why the assessment/inventory is necessary. The bill is now in the House General and Housing Committee and also is unlikely to meet this Friday’s crossover deadline.
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Categories: Legislation
Where can I get a grant?
You can’t you’re a legal citizen, but you’ll pay for theirs.
Denounce your citizenship move to a third world cesspool for 6 months then sneak back home and they’ll grant you asylum and you get a grant. Simple
“It’s critical that we continue to do the work to dismantle barriers and expand opportunities for New Americans so they can thrive in this state. ”
And of course Vermont taxpayers will foot the bill to educate illegals .
Soon the new “Illegal” will be calling them illegal.
Funny how that works huh Gary ? But much the same as a rose by any other name……..
Who else but hardy, to introduce a giveaway health care benefit for illegal immigrants. Yep, what costs the working Vermont resident $6000 per year minimum- plus deductible she thinks should be given away to those that ignore and cheat the established immigration system. Vermont can not deal with the health care costs we have now. How exactly ms. hardy would you fund this absurdity?
The liberal elitist mind is a very dangerous and confused place.
this is for Gary above——— Biden already issued EOs to DHS banning the term “illegal” in favor of “non-citizen”. You don’t even have to exaggerate….
Stop supporting criminals!!! If they enter the country illegally the only taxpayer expense should be for deportation. If they enter illegally they are not new Americans, they are illegal aliens.
All these bills serve to destabilize the financial viability the Citizens of Vermont and the State of Vermont.
Good thing Vermont is rolling in excess cash.
bait and switch/// get your croneevirus loan and then say i can not pay it back/// it is free/// what/// you lied about your loan/// pay it back and go to jail/// how many court cases will we see in the future///
How about helping the legal people here? Go over the border folks and come back in and get all the help you want!
They can’t even offer state programs to legal lifelong taxpayers without threateningtto remove them if one chooses to be frugal for a year. I’m living proof of this and have the documentation.
Typical Vermont statehouse b.s. so glad I’m moving out and won’t have to pay for this garbage
Let’s take of legal citizen first, tax money is for the support of those who pay taxes,
Look on the bright side, these illegals will get their degree and just like Vermont’s young college graduates they will leave the State because there’s no future here.
It’s time to stop paying your “fair share” as it’s not FAIR anymore.
It’s okay. No one really wants to do anything about it. We’re not quite over run enough yet. Our way of life is still quite intact despite continously giving away funding and resources that were intended for us. Given away by Scoudrels that have infiltrated our system on all levels and faucets of our lives. Given away with sole intent of the destruction of our way of life, and principles of our country. But it’s okay, we haven’t lost it all yet. Wake up America, wew’re nearing the moment of no return.
Purge.
Seems reasonable to me they have an opportunity to drain the rest of the state given their contribution to the nation as a whole. Perhaps VT needs them bused in ( we are a sanctuary site) in a manner a al New York City to provide a gut check on how noble the principals are . It may be a learning experience.
What make one think that the laws will be followed when not starting off following the laws in the first place? All are welcome just follow the rules. Entry to exit. Don’t cut the line. Don’t go on the dole . Respect your new home. Everything is not free and at some point you will be expected to add to and not burden the society you chose to join.
Where is the state GOP committee on this ,quiet as a church mouse. The state committee needs to be revamped, like Trump is revamping the RNC!
It VT they just roll over ,butts wiggling in the air, handing the left olive oil, along with releasing white doves, grasping olive branches, in their beaks, and tells them,”Here ya go,Have at it!”
The countries the influx comes from, most will get aid from Washington, so as our costs rise, taking care of those countries citizens ,the amount we spend doing this, must be reduced from any aid Washington grants that country, and directly sent to the states, to offset the cost of care for these legal/illegal migrants.
If that country empties their prisons and mental hospitals to dump their costs on the the clueless holding office in Washington then on to the American people, than all costs incurred need to be withheld from AID granted to that country, and tariffs increased/imposed on that countries exports until we incur NO costs by taking these people in.
Anything less is just plain shortsighted and dumb as a rock.
It’s not like the USA has billions in reserves, but we do have trillions in debt, due to mindless regressive, under the guise of progressive ,policies .
Vote every one of the walking brain dullards out!
VOTR TEAM TRUMP!
My take.
They’re not rolling over. They’re playing to who they truly are. They’re playing to who they truly serve.
And when one of those “asylum seekers” commits the next terror attack the libs will sneak away quietly saying ”nothing to see here”!
First, they will lie and try to blame MAGA. That will continue to divide and inflame the haters, even after the perpetrator(s) turn out to be illegal aliens, at which time you’re right — any news will simply disappear from the globalists’ paid surrogates in the MSM and social media outlets, including (and especially) their lame affiliates that serve VT.
One of our precious “new Americans”, Abdikhadir, was in custody three days before he murdered Hussain Mubarak in Burlington….. have you heard a peep about that injustice from libs? Nope.
Stop this Tax Stealing Now !
The far left is great at changing language. As Jesse Kelly points out, changing language means changing thoughts. “New Americans” is clearly an effort to make illegal immigrants into equal or better than actual Americans and it always needs to be called out.
I’ll start by showing a credible fear…..fear of my own government. Maybe then I won’t have to cross the border into Mexico and come back a few months later to claim asylum.
From the State Reg Today : https://www.stateregstoday.com/family/immigration/state-immigration-task-forces-and-commissions-in-vermont
“13. Are there any specific populations that Vermont’s Immigration Task Force/Commission focuses on serving, such as refugee/asylum seekers, undocumented youth, etc.?
The specific populations that Vermont’s Immigration Task Force/Commission focuses on serving include refugee and asylum seekers, undocumented youth, and other vulnerable immigrant communities.”
https://www.stateregstoday.com/family/immigration/state-immigration-task-forces-and-commissions-in-vermont
From the State Reg Today:https://www.stateregstoday.com/family/immigration/state-immigration-task-forces-and-commissions-in-vermont
13. Are there any specific populations that Vermont’s Immigration Task Force/Commission focuses on serving, such as refugee/asylum seekers, undocumented youth, etc.?
The specific populations that Vermont’s Immigration Task Force/Commission focuses on serving include refugee and asylum seekers, undocumented youth, and other vulnerable immigrant communities.
Just a
This state if so F%#K
Won’t be long before we are communist China! Then the Libs will get what they deserve!
I think the ship has sailed on that one. Tell me again why I risked it all 60 yrs ago to keep commies out of America? We are the final domino for those who scoffed back then.
Who is it that makes these decisions to spend all this money?? Who?? I want names!!
For every working American who labors to make a living, filing and paying their taxes, voting for candidates who say they “hear you” and “feel your pain”, is it getting harder to justify obedience to a broken deadly system? How are these fake authority figures allowing criminals to walk free, allowing criminals to move in and move freely in your neighborhoods, give them all the freebies they don’t earn or deserve while you work and pay for all of it? Above all, we believe we can vote our way out of this? We don’t vote for the judges or the corporate co-conspirators…anyone have any idea where this nation and State are headed if this continues on with impunity? It appears the SHTF storm has arrived and it is going to get a lot worse each passing day.
No way,.no how. This is totally out of control. Time to pack my stuff….
Well folks, this is what you get with a super majority of Democrats controlling your future as a citizen of this state. Take it or leave it. Oh ya, how about a “Republican “Governor who won’t support the party’s nominee for President..
Welcome to the Hotel California
https://www.rutlandherald.com/news/local/state-plans-emergency-homeless-shelter-at-bloomer-building/article_4a39586c-86de-5c62-a9af-7615517e7ef6.html