http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=65736

Senator tries to bridge information gap between agencies

posted by: Jeffrey Wolf , Web Producer
written by: Thanh Truong , 9NEWS Reporter created: 3/2/2007 10:15:08 PM
Last updated: 3/2/2007 10:20:47 PM

KUSA - As it stands right now, if a Social Security number is used in multiple places by multiple people, the Social Security Administration is legally unable to share that information with the Department of Homeland Security.


When it comes to curbing illegal immigration, U.S. Senator Wayne Allard (R-Colorado) says the inability of the Social Security Administration to share what it knows with the immigration enforcers seems backwards.

"That was the problem we faced before 9/11. Agencies didn't share information ,and I'm hoping to eliminate one more hurdle," said Allard.

Allard introduced legislation on Friday that seeks to give an avenue for the two federal agencies to share information about possible duplicate social security numbers and possible fraud. Since many suspected illegal immigrants try to secure fake social security cards or use existing ones, Allard says it would give DHS another tool to enforce immigration laws if the Social Security Administration could relay what it knows.

"It's just common sense. This would help employers, victims of identity theft, and immigrations authorities," said Allard.

Paul Buono with the Rocky Mountain States Employers Council says many suspected illegal workers are looking for social security numbers or are seeking fake ones. Buono is an immigration specialist for the organization which represents more than 2,500 local employers.

Buono says if the legislation passes it could take some pressure off of employers to be experts on the authenticity of documents and give them some confidence that the workers they hire are in fact who they say they are.

"As it is right now, there's now way for an employer to be certain," said Buono.

Allard says he expects a vote on the legislation some time next week. Historically the Social Security Administration has only been allowed to share information with the Internal Revenue Service.