Nicholas Freitas, a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, said that tax dollars are being spent on programs benefiting undocumented immigrants, including tuition and aid. This statement was made on X.
“The next time Democrats complain about us not paying enough in taxes, just remember this is what they were spending the tax dollars on,” said Nicholas J. Freitas, Virginia State Representative for 62nd District. “Free tuition for illegal aliens at post-secondary career and technical education programs. Illegal aliens receiving federally funded food assistance programs. Illegal aliens accessing federal workforce development resources and grants.”
Virginia’s state spending on benefits for undocumented immigrants has sparked ongoing legislative debate. According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, recent sessions have seen Republicans oppose and Democrats support expanded access to in-state tuition, children’s health coverage, and workforce training. This divide keeps the issue prominent in Virginia politics as lawmakers weigh public health, education, and fiscal impacts.
A 2023 report by the Virginia Department of Social Services indicates that about 7,500 undocumented students received in-state tuition or educational benefits, and over 2,000 children accessed state-funded health or food programs in recent years. This underscores the reach of such state-funded assistance.
A 2024 analysis by the Migration Policy Institute shows that Virginia’s spending on benefits for undocumented immigrants has risen about 12% since 2019 but remains lower per capita than in California or New York. Both states invest significantly more in comparable programs.
According to Ballotpedia, Freitas is a Republican Virginia House Delegate first elected in 2015. He is a former Army Green Beret and a leading advocate for limited government, fiscal restraint, and opposition to expanding state-funded benefits for undocumented immigrants.
