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Policy: The BibleandWelfareReform
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one month of that clock isusedup— Okay, that’s the federal require
ments. In this state we have our own system of welfare reform, and
what we have is another big clock that ticks. This clock says that you
can receive TANF assistance for a total of 24 months. Andwhen you
hit that magic number of 24 months, there’s then a two-year period
where you cannot receive TANF checks at all.3
These complicated instructions reflect the emphasis in the policy upon
ensuring that applicants give up any hope (it is believed they have) of per
manent dependence on receiving public assistance.
Few aspects of the policy are more restrictive and complicated than
those regarding the treatment of immigrants who are poor. PRWORA
drastically restricted immigrant eligibility for assistance by denying impov
erished legal immigrants (who are not yet citizens) the chance to receive
welfare and medical benefits (TANF and Medicaid). It was left entirely up
to state and local governments whether to make their funding available to
legal immigrants who are now ineligible under federal law.4 For immigrant
benefit eligibility new categories were created: “pre-enactment immi
grants” and “post-enactment immigrants” as well as predetermining cate
gories of “qualified immigrants” (e.g., those who sign up for active duty in
the military) and “unqualified immigrants” (e.g., international college and
graduate students). Immigrants who are in crisis and seeking help must fig
ure out which one of these categories applies to them.5
For citizens who want to receive some assistance, the policy allows a
thorough invasion of one’s personal and financial life. There is a threat of
criminal prosecution if one does not submit to this government surveil
lance. Hawaii warns potential recipients: “If you lie, hide facts or fail to
report changes within 10 days, you may be prosecuted. You must report all
changes in your situation.”6 Punishment is an important aspect in welfare
reform policy. As the Hawaii officials also warned in a policy update on
their Web site: “A welfare recipient who does not engage in the required
work activities without good cause will be sanctioned. Previously a benefit
reduction for the adult would be the penalty for the violation. Now, the
entire family will lose the cash assistance until the adult complies.”7
These government-established public practices presume that poverty is
a result of irresponsibility. To help them give up their supposed irre
sponsible ways, recipients in several states must sign a “Personal Respon
sibilityAgreement Plan” to receive help. For example, in South Dakota the
recipient must read and sign off on statements such as, “You will accept