I’m a mom of two, 7 and 3. Every grocery trip is a careful budget calculation. Last week at Target, I noticed that kids with certain immigrant benefit cards could get extra milk, cheese, and fruit, while my children only qualified for frozen veggies, potatoes, and discounted bread. I saw the immigrant child smiling and picking snacks while their mom swiped the card effortlessly at checkout. My kid looked at the fruit and yogurt, eyes full of longing. I pushed the frozen vegetables into my basket, swallowing the sense of unfairness. At home, my husband and I discussed the policy. We understand it’s meant to support vulnerable groups, but when food allocation is visibly unequal, hardworking families feel the sting of injustice. That night, lying in bed after the kids slept, I kept thinking about that smiling immigrant child, feeling the invisible tensions in policy. #ShowUsTheBill #ImmigrantChildren #FoodAllocation #FamilyStress










