HARHART INTRODUCES BILL TO STUDY COSTS FOR STATE SERVICES AND PROGRAMS ACCESSED BY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS

States News Service
June 10, 2011
HARRISBURG, PA

The following information was released by Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Republican Caucus:

State Rep. Julie Harhart (R-Lehigh/Northampton) has introduced legislation that will track and study the costs to Commonwealth agencies that provide social services and public assistance to illegal immigrant parents residing in Pennsylvania.

"There has been a lot of talk about the costs to states for providing services to illegal individuals and their children that have illegally immigrated to the United States," said Harhart.

"However, here in the Commonwealth we do not have the clearest and most accurate picture of exactly what those costs actually are. I think before we move forward with further pending legislative proposals pertaining to illegal immigration, we need to find out and study the exact financial impact on our state."

House Resolution 323 will specifically direct the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a comprehensive survey of all state agencies that provide social services, and the cost of those services, to illegal individuals and their children who illegally immigrated to the United States and reside in Pennsylvania.

Harhart said it is estimated the number of illegal immigrants living in Pennsylvania is between 100,000 and 200,000.

"Information on this issue is not readily available and it is necessary if we are to properly understand the social and economic impact of illegal immigrants to the Commonwealth," said Harhart.

House Resolution 323 has been referred to the House State Government Committee.

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