FIGHT against US/MEX Social Security Agreement {in congress}
Goode Leads Fight to Protect Social Security from U.S./Mexico Totalization Agreement - A Looming Threat to an Already Imperiled System
Millions of Bogus Social Security Accounts Pose Huge Potential Liability for American Workers and Retirees
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Rep. Virgil Goode (R-VA) and 32 House cosponsors recently introduced a resolution expressing congressional disapproval of the U.S./Mexico Social Security totalization agreement signed last June.
Virgil GoodeThe proposed agreement is a major threat to the United States Social Security system and could result in benefits being paid to Mexicans working illegally in the U.S.
The U.S./Mexico agreement was signed by the Commissioner of Social Security and the Director General of the Mexican Social Security Institute on June 29, 2004. Before it can go into effect, President Bush must submit the agreement to Congress.
"When it comes to immigration matters, the government invariably underestimates the costs and the numbers of people who will apply for any program or benefit," warned Dan Stein, president of FAIR.
Dan Stein"What is billed as a limited program that will allow a relatively small number of people who have paid into the system to collect benefits will almost certainly turn into a feeding frenzy as lawyers line up clients who will claim benefits under the agreement. Until we straighten out the mess in our immigration system - not to mention our Social Security system - these sorts of agreements are premature and fiscally irresponsible," said Stein.
By the Social Security Administration's own admission, they do not know how many Social Security numbers are currently being used fraudulently. Moreover, under an amnesty/guest worker program proposed by President Bush, potentially millions more workers from Mexico and other countries would also qualify for Social Security benefits.
"With the President's proposal on the table, it is important to establish a clear policy that time worked without authorization will not be rewarded with Social Security benefits," Stein said.
House Resolution 50, expressing disapproval by the Congress of the Social Security agreement, sends a clear message to the Bush administration that members of the House will contest the agreement if and when he sends it to Congress.
"Our Social Security system is probably not going to be able to deliver on the promises it has made to current and future retirees. Even if it was possible to sort out potential claims filed by millions of illegal aliens, the benefits paid to them would come directly out of the pockets of America's own elderly," warned Stein.
