US President Donald Trump recently reposted a dataset on X that ranks countries by the share of immigrant households receiving welfare assistance in the United States, drawing renewed attention to the fiscal and political implications of immigration policy.
The data, presented as a country-by-country table without additional methodological detail, reflects the share of households participating in public assistance programs such as SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, and childcare subsidies, and indicates how many families rely on support during their initial years in the U.S.
African Countries Rank High in Welfare Usage Data
According to the figures shared, Somalia records the highest welfare participation rate among African immigrant households, at 71.9%, placing it near the top of the global list.
Somalia is followed by Congo (66.0%) and Guinea (65.8%), countries whose migration flows to the US have been shaped by years of political instability, weak economic structures, and limited employment opportunities.
Other African countries appearing in the top ten include Togo (52.9%), Eritrea (52.7%), and South Sudan (52.0%), reflecting migration patterns dominated by refugee and humanitarian admissions rather than employment-based entry.
Political Context
Trump’s decision to resurface the figures aligns with his long-standing argument that certain immigration flows place disproportionate pressure on public finances.
During his presidency, similar statistics were frequently cited to support stricter immigration rules and limits on access to welfare benefits for new arrivals.
The repost comes amid renewed political attention to Somali immigrant communities following a controversy in Minnesota over alleged fraud at Somali‑run daycare centers, where authorities claimed millions of dollars in state childcare funds were improperly claimed, including payments made without corresponding services.
While the case remains under investigation, it has been cited by some policymakers and commentators as an example of the fiscal challenges associated with refugee and immigrant support programs.