Some criticize Family Security Act for its citizen requirement

Sen. Mitt Romney has unveiled a plan that he says will bring money to millions of families.

But the group, Comunidades Unidas, argues it excludes undocumented families who are still struggling from the pandemic. It’s called the Family Security Act 2.0 – a plan aimed at supporting working American families from pregnancy through childhood.

“Throughout our government, it seems there are federal policies that unintentionally discourage creating marriages, basically creating a strong, family unit,” Romney said.

Under the plan, parents would get $700 per month starting halfway through pregnancy, $350 per month for children up to age 5; and $250 a month for children ages 6-17. Parents would have to earn an annual income of at least $10,000.

“There’s a growing gap that’s been seen between the number of children people say they want to have and the number they actually decide to have,” Romney said.

So, who’s eligible?

In a statement to KSL, Senator Romney’s Office said:

“His plan does not exclude a family if a Social Security Number holder is married to someone who is undocumented so mixed-status parents would be eligible.

Similarly, his plan does not require recipients to be American citizens.

“A taxpayer simply has to hold a Social Security Number, which includes work-authorized non-citizens, including DACA recipients who hold a Social Security Number. He does not support sending checks to families with undocumented dependents.”

Brianna Puga is an immigrant rights community organizer with the non-profit group Comunidades Unidas. She said excluding U.S. citizen children whose parents are undocumented is unfair.

“We live in a state that proclaims the well-being of all families. We constantly have to look at one’s legal status, one’s Social Security Number before protecting the well-being of families,” Puga said.

The group has reached out to Romney in hopes that he’ll reconsider.

“We went through something similar when COVID-19 hit. Stimulus checks were not provide to undocumented or immigrant families. And that was a huge hit,” Fany De Lucas, immigrant rights community mobilizer with Comunidades Unidas said.

Romney acknowledged the act won’t solve all of the issues, but it takes a couple of them and makes it better.