Using a unique 1994 Los Angeles County Household Survey of foreign-born Mexicans and the March 1994 and 1995 Current Population Surveys, we estimate the number of unauthorized Mexican immigrants (UMIs) residing in Los Angeles County, and compare their use of seven welfare programs with that of other non-U.S. citizens and U.S. citizens. Non-U.S. citizens were found to be no more likely than U.S. citizens to have used welfare, and UMIs were 11% (14%) less likely than other non-citizens (U.S.-born citizens). While these findings are not surprising given the institutional and legal obstacles UMIs face, they are in light of recent restrictive immigration and welfare policy changes. They also directly contradict public perceptions that UMIs use an undeserved share of public assistance. Lastly, we demonstrate how results differ depending on the unit of analysis employed, and on which programs constitute “welfare.”
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