Immigration Bill 'Loophole' Gives Illegals $966 Billion in Social Security Benefits
Source: TREA Senior Citizens League
URL Source: www.prnewswire.com
Published: Jun 16, 2007
Author: PRN
Post Date: 2007-06-16 13:19:25 by inboxnew



Despite Provision Barring Benefits for Illegals Receiving Social Security Numbers After 2007, Millions Who Received Numbers Prior to 2004 Would Still Receive Benefits

The immigration bill being debated by the Senate would allow over two million illegal workers who received Social Security numbers prior to 2004 to receive more than $966 billion in Social Security benefits by 2040.
Despite a provision in the bill that would prevent individuals who performed illegal work and then obtained a Social Security number after 2007 from receiving credit for Social Security taxes paid in previous years, the legislation does nothing to prevent aliens who illegally obtained "non-work" Social Security numbers prior to 2004 from claiming benefits.

The loophole was revealed Friday by TREA Senior Citizens League, a 1.2 million member nonpartisan seniors advocacy organization based in Alexandria, Virginia.

Between 1974 and 2003, the Social Security Administration issued more than seven million "non-work" Social Security numbers, which entitled some foreign nationals -- some of whom were illegal aliens -- to services such as Medicaid and food stamps. The majority of non-work Social Security numbers were issued during an era of less restrictive immigration policy; in some cases, aliens didn't need proof of citizenship to receive a number. Despite their "non-work" status, millions performed unlawful work. Under the Senate legislation currently being considered, this group would be eligible for Social Security benefits.

"The Senate is telling the American people that illegal aliens wouldn't be able to collect Social Security benefits under this immigration deal, and that is flat wrong," said Shannon Benton, executive director of TREA Senior Citizens League. "The truth is that illegal aliens would receive more than double in Social Security benefits what American taxpayers have spent so far on the war in Iraq."

According to the Social Security Administration, the Social Security Trust Fund will begin paying out more than it is taking in by 2017, and will be completely exhausted by 2041.


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