Millions of Americans are set to receive cash payments due to coronavirus. Cash payments will come from a recently passed $2 trillion dollar stimulus bill; additionally, the legislation serves as a means of helping small businesses, large corporations, and others weather the storm of COVID-19.

Despite the legislation in effect, some politicians still remain unsatisfied. Earlier today, Minnesota Democrat Ilhan Omar called for "non-citizens" to receive cash payments from the government. Suffice it to say, support for this measure is not unpopular on the left side of the aisle.

Omar on Cash Payments to Illegal Immigrants

In proposing legislation to give economic aid to "non-citizens," Omar criticized provisions of the CARES Act. Per CARES, individuals seeking cash payments have to prove their identity with a social security number. Of course, this bars illegal immigrants and other "non-citizens" from receiving government aid.

https://twitter.com/Ilhan/status/1247622583614410755?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1247622583614410755&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.breitbart.com%2Fpolitics%2F2020%2F04%2F07%2Filhan-omar-next-relief-package-must-provide-cash-payments-to-non-citizens%2F

The congresswoman seeks to change this measure. An excerpt of her defense for giving government money to "non-citizens" reads as follows:

"It is absurd and cruel that a taxpaying, mixed-status couple or family could be excluded from this relief."

Later in her statement, Omar goes on to note that many residents in Minnesota are without social security numbers or legal immigrant status.

Should Cash Payments Go to Illegal Immigrants?

The idea of sending cash payments to people who aren't American citizens is highly partisan. Those on the left are much likelier to favor this idea than right-wingers. Moreover, funding from the government is not a bottomless well. Due to the strain that shutdowns have put on our nation's economy, restoring the market to pre-COVID-19 status will take quite a while.

Omar's legislation to provide "non-citizens" with cash payments is unlikely to garner Republican votes. Furthermore, this is not a measure that President Trump would likely sign, even if Republicans did somehow get on board with the legislation.

At this time, the provision of aid to American workers is the strongest priority for many politicians. In addition to Omar's proposed bill, several House Democrats have pushed for amendments to the CARES Act. This, too, is unlikely to garner conservative support or votes.