What You Need to Know About Immigrants and Gift Cards in the U.S.

There is a lot of misinformation and confusion about the issue of gift cards for immigrants. The truth is that most immigrants do not receive any gift cards from the government or other sources. However, there are some exceptions and programs that may provide limited assistance to some immigrants in certain situations. Here are some facts to clarify the matter:

The U.S. government does not give $5,000 gift cards to people who cross the border illegally. This is a false and baseless rumor that has been spreading on social media platforms. The Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection have denied this claim and said they do not financially assist people who cross the border illegally.

No, this is not real. Executive Order 9066 was issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1942, during World War II, and it authorized the forced relocation of over 120,000 Japanese Americans from the West Coast to internment camps¹². It had nothing to do with immigration or VISA cards.

The claim that Executive Order 9066 gives illegals a $5,000 VISA card is a false and misleading rumor that has been circulating on social media platforms such as Twitter. It is possible that some people are confusing Executive Order 9066 with Executive Order 14012, which was issued by President Joe Biden in 2021, and it revoked a previous order by President Donald Trump that banned entry to the United States from certain countries³. However, Executive Order 14012 also did not provide any financial benefits to immigrants or refugees.

Therefore, the statement that Executive Order 9066 gives illegals a $5,000 VISA card is completely false and has no basis in fact. It is important to verify the accuracy and credibility of information before sharing it online.

• New York City is launching a pilot program to provide prepaid debit cards to some migrants that can only be used to buy food and baby supplies at certain types of stores in the city¹². These cards are not credit cards and they are not given to all migrants. They are a possible replacement for non-perishable food boxes that the city currently provides to migrants. The cards will be loaded with about $12 per person per day for 28 days¹. The goal is to cut costs and stimulate the local economy.
• Some non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and charities may offer gift cards or vouchers to immigrants and refugees as a form of humanitarian aid or assistance. For example, Catholic Charities USA has a program that provides gift cards to migrants who are released from detention centers and need to travel to their final destinations. These gift cards are usually donated by private individuals or groups and are not funded by the government. They are also not given to everyone and are subject to availability and eligibility criteria.

Therefore, the answer to your questions is that most immigrants do not have gift cards and they are not getting them at the store or in their home countries. The few who do receive some form of gift card or prepaid card are either part of a specific program or initiative that aims to help them with their basic needs or travel expenses. These programs are not widespread or universal and they have different rules and restrictions. I hope this information helps you understand the facts and avoid the myths.

What gift cards can immigrants actually get? Most have to build credit and have no credit here in the United States.

The Ultimate Guide to Getting a Gift Card in the U.S. for Immigrants

what gift cards are best for immigrants who want to spend in the U.S. instead of using cash, I can offer some suggestions based on my research. However, please note that these are not endorsements or recommendations, and you should always check the terms and conditions of any gift card before buying or using it.
According to an article from Money magazine one of the best credit cards for immigrants in the U.S. are:

• Capital One Secured Mastercard: This card is designed for people who have limited or no credit history and want to build their credit score. It requires a refundable security deposit of $49, $99, or $200, depending on your creditworthiness, and offers a credit limit of $200 to $1,000. It has no annual fee and reports to all three major credit bureaus. It also offers access to CreditWise, a free credit monitoring service.
• Discover It Secured Mastercard: This card is similar to the Capital One Secured Mastercard, but it also offers rewards and cash back on purchases. It requires a minimum security deposit of $200 and offers a credit limit equal to your deposit. It has no annual fee and reports to all three major credit bureaus. It also offers free access to your FICO score and a Cashback Match program that doubles your cash back at the end of your first year.
• US Bank Secured Credit Card: This card is another option for people who want to build their credit history. It requires a minimum security deposit of $300 and offers a credit limit equal to your deposit. It has an annual fee of $29 and reports to all three major credit bureaus. It also offers free access to your VantageScore and a FlexControl feature that lets you customize your payment due date and avoid interest charges.
  These are some examples of credit cards that immigrants can use to spend in the U.S. instead of cash. However, they are not the only ones, and you may find other options that suit your needs and preferences better. You can compare different credit cards online or consult a financial advisor for more guidance.