The U.S. Social Security Totalization Agreement with Mexico
The United States Social Security Administration has already signed a "Social Security Totalization Agreement" with the Government of Mexico. It must only to be signed by the President to become effective. Unlike "social security totalization agreements" with other nations, this agreement with Mexico contains a loophole which would make ILLEGAL ALIENS eligible for U.S. Social Security benefits for work they performed while in the United States!
Much of the work in trying to alert the Congress and the public about this agreement has come voluntarily from The Senior Citizens League (TSCL), which has filed requests under the Freedom of Information Act and pursued a lawsuit at their own expense simply to get information about this agreement from our own government. The following information comes from their website at http://www.seniorsleague.org or from printed information received from them by mail:
"Totalization Agreement - If the President signs the final Executive Totalization Social Security Agreement between the U.S. and Mexico, it could lead to Social Security benefits going to individuals who worked in the U.S. without legal authorization. Despite the efforts of TSCL and others, knowledge of the Totalization Agreement remains limited on Capitol Hill and the issue flies under radar for the most part. TSCL has expressed its support for resolutions opposed to the Totalization Agreement. TSCL has placed ads in The Washington Times in opposition to the proposed agreement and will continue to closely monitor the Totalization matter during the upcoming session of Congress. Current Totalization efforts"
http://www.seniorsleague.org/index.php? ... &Itemid=84
"Totalization Agreement
Social Security Totalization Agreements are designed so that workers and their employers would not be subject to double taxation, owing payroll taxes to both the country in which they work, and their home nation. In addition, totalization agreements allow workers to earn generic work "credits" good for receiving retirement benefits in either country. These credits from the United States and other countries can be totaled together to receive benefits. The U.S. currently has 22 totalization agreements with other nations, most having economies similar to our own.
The U.S. – Mexico Totalization Agreement—which was signed by the Social Security Administrations of both the U.S. and Mexico in 2004, and is due to undergo review by the current or future President(s)—continues to pose a threat to Social Security beneficiaries. Because of a loophole, if the President signs the final Executive Totalization Social Security Agreement with Mexico, it could lead to Social Security benefits going to individuals who worked in the U.S. while illegal.
Despite the efforts of TSCL and others, knowledge of the U.S – Mexico Totalization Agreement remains limited on Capitol Hill, and the issue flies under radar for the most part. TSCL has expressed its support for resolutions in opposition to the Totalization Agreement. In addition, TSCL is supportive of legislation, such as the Social Security Totalization Agreement Reform Act, which would grant more time for congressional review of these agreements.
TSCL has placed ads in The Washington Times in opposition to the proposed agreement and will continue to closely monitor the Totalization matter during the upcoming session of Congress.
http://www.seniorsleague.org/index.php? ... &Itemid=87
TSCL has three petitions on this subject (one of which also opposes amnesty for illegal aliens) available at:
http://www.seniorsleague.org//index.php ... Itemid=128
"Why We Must STOP The U.S./Mexico Social Security Totalization Treaty
Here's What One Member of Congress says:
"Under 'totalization', a foreigner who came to the United States illegally could work fewer than the required number of years, return to Mexico for the rest of his working years, and collect full U.S. Social Security benefits while living in Mexico. This is an insult to the millions of American who pay their entire working lives into the system and now face the possibility that there may be nothing left when it is their turn to retire."
Congressman Ron Paul (R-TX)"
The Senior Citizens League (TSCL) has its principal offices at:
909 N. Washington Street #300
Alexandria, VA 22314
Telephone: (703)-548-5568
