Illegal immigrants should not receive SS benefits
Illegal immigrants should not receive SS benefits
Andrew Dunn
March 20, 2007 12:15 am
Two years ago, President Bush outlined an ambitious plan to privatize portions of Social Security. The president warned that without privatization, Social Security faces a bankrupt future. What he failed to mention was the “totalization” agreement his administration secretly made with Mexico — and without Congressional approval — in 2004. That agreement will indeed bankrupt Social Security if Congress doesn’t stop it. Fortunately, Bush’s plan has been released to the public, following a Freedom of Information lawsuit filed by the TREA Senior Citizens League.
Totalization is part of the sinister North American integration plan that would put millions of illegal aliens into our Social Security system. American citizens have to work at least 10 years to qualify for Social Security benefits, but the president’s totalization plan would let illegal aliens collect benefits after just 18 months.
Illegal aliens have no right to be in this country and they certainly don’t have a right to Social Security benefits. Forty percent of the illegal aliens in our country work in an underground, cash-under-the-table economy that doesn’t pay into the Social Security system. Those who do pay, do so under false or stolen Social Security numbers. This is fraud — a crime — and it’s a slap in the face of the American people to reward such illegal behavior.
Defenders point to the totalization agreements the U.S. has with 21 other countries: However, all existing totalization agreements are collaborative efforts with nations whose retirement systems are on par with ours. Mexico’s retirement system isn’t even close to resembling the U.S. Social Security system. Unlike our system, where lower-wage workers’ benefits exceed what they and their employers contributed, Mexico’s system only returns what the worker paid. Most of the illegal aliens coming across our border were previously unemployed, or worked for employers who didn’t pay into Mexico’s system.
We sympathize with the citizens of Mexico, but change needs to happen in Mexico, not the United States. Contrary to popular opinion, Mexico is a wealthy oil-producing country. But Mexico is a corrupt country that rewards a well-connected few, while keeping the majority of its citizens in a permanent underclass. The Mexican government wants open borders and guest worker/amnesty so it can export its poorest citizens to the U.S. taxpayer.
President Bush’s totalization plan will lure more illegal aliens across the border in the hope of amnesty and free benefits for all. This dangerous plan will also overburden Social Security, just as our baby boomers face retirement. What happens then if Social Security isn’t privatized? What about our citizens who don’t have a 401-K? Will we face a massive tax increase? Will our senior citizens have to do without the benefits they’ve worked a lifetime for?
The Action Club of Buncombe County encourages everyone to contact their senators and urge them to pass Senate Bill No. 43. This bill, co-sponsored by Senators Dole and Burr, would require both Houses of Congress to approve all totalization agreements. They should also tell their representatives in the House to pass Resolutions 1438 and 858, prohibiting illegal aliens from receiving Social Security benefits.
Andrew Dunn is a marketing and public relations professional. He is a member of Eagle Forum, The Heritage Foundation and The Action Club. A North Carolina native, Dunn lives in Asheville.
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