MIDDLETOWN - Earlier this week, the Yankee Institute reported that the State of Connecticut spends $1.3 billion on illegal immigrants, which includes the cost of Medicaid, Medicare, and housing programs. 

“I am appalled, but not surprised, that Governor Lamont and Connecticut Democrats are spending billions of dollars of taxpayer money on illegal immigrants,” said Connecticut Republican Chairman Ben Proto. “They continue to prove that their top priority is not the people of Connecticut, but the people who broke our laws to come to our country and our state illegally.” 

“$1.3 billion dollars would go a long way to solving so many problems in Connecticut, yet Governor Lamont and Democrats would rather exacerbate those problems by taking our tax dollars and supporting programs that do not benefit the people paying those taxes” said Proto. 

“This is all the more alarming considering the absurdly high cost of living in Connecticut due to the failed economic policies of local, state, and national Democrats. We have one of the country’s highest electric costs and we have among the highest property taxes on real estate. Connecticut families are struggling, and every dime that goes to illegal immigrants is money that could have been used to provide our citizens with economic relief” continued Proto. 

“At least Connecticut Democrats have been honest about where their allegiance lies. First, Chris Murphy named undocumented immigrants as the group of people he cares about most. Then, more recently, Governor Lamont and Attorney General Tong pledged to interfere with the Trump administration’s plan to deport dangerous illegal immigrants. Now, we learn that our state is expending critical funds on illegal immigrants. Enough is enough.” 

“Governor Lamont and other Democrat officials should remember that they were elected to serve their constituents. Spending billions of dollars on illegal immigrants while our Connecticut families struggle, while homelessness is on the rise, educational funding is being cut, and our energy bills make it impossible for families and businesses to thrive in Connecticut, is a dereliction of duty, and a slap in the face to voters. I urge Connecticut Democrats to stop this funding and do the job they were elected to do – protect the hard-working people of Connecticut” concluded Proto.