Thread: PA: Bill Would Tighten ID Regs for State Aid

Bill Would Tighten ID Regs for State Aid

By MARTHA RAFFAELE

HARRISBURG, Pa. - Social-service advocacy groups are fighting legislation to require Pennsylvanians to provide proof of U.S. citizenship before receiving government benefits because they believe the bill would deny critical services to the poor, the elderly and domestic-violence victims.

Under the legislation, residents 18 and older who apply for benefits such as welfare or Medicaid would have to show a driver's license, a U.S. passport or other identification card issued by the state or federal government or the military. They would also have to sign affidavits stating they are U.S. citizens or legal residents.

Supporters of the measure that was the focus of a Senate State Government Committee hearing on Wednesday say it will prevent illegal immigrants from taking advantage of taxpayer-subsidized benefits, driving up state spending.

But opponents argue it will only create more bureaucratic obstacles for hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians who need assistance, but lack proper identification.

"This bill is unnecessary, would foster an atmosphere of fear and confusion among immigrants, and would prevent poor and elderly Pennsylvanians from getting the benefits they need," Louise Hayes, an attorney with Community Legal Services in Philadelphia, told the committee.

The Senate's highest-ranking Republican, President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati of Jefferson County, said he introduced the bill earlier this year in response to his constituents' concerns and what he said was the federal government's failure to address the problem.

At least three states have enacted similar measures this year - Colorado, Idaho and Texas - according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

"Pennsylvania citizens should not be asked to sacrifice their hard-earned dollars to support those who have entered this country illegally," Scarnati said.

Of the nation's estimated 12 million illegal immigrants, as many as 150,000 live in Pennsylvania, Scarnati said. According to the Federation for American Immigration Reform, which favors tougher immigration laws, the cost of providing education and emergency medical care and housing illegal immigrants in prison costs the state $285 million annually.

Michael Smeltzer, executive director of the Manufacturers Association of South Central Pennsylvania, said Scarnati was taking the right approach.

"Despite humanitarianism, there is the economic reality that we cannot pay for everyone, including those who do not have a legal right to be here," Smeltzer said.

The federal government already prohibits illegal immigrants from receiving most government-paid benefits, with the exception of those deemed essential for public health and welfare, such as immunizations, emergency disaster relief and emergency medical care, said state Public Welfare Secretary Estelle Richman.

A 2005 federal law gives Medicaid applicants more options to prove their citizenship than are included in Scarnati's bill, and it allows affidavits to be used on a limited basis instead, Richman said.

"There is simply no proof that undocumented immigrants in Pennsylvania are receiving benefits for which they are not eligible," Richman said.

Domestic-abuse victims often cannot take time to retrieve identification such as Social Security cards and birth certificates when they flee abusive relationships, said Nicole Lindemyer, policy and special projects manager with the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

"Victims in crisis must prioritize saving their own lives and the lives of their children above packing a bag and taking personal documents with them - but must not be penalized for doing so," Lindemyer said.

There was no indication when the committee may vote on the bill.


Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed


http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/10/ ... 36008.html

oh...come on...that is the lameist excuse I ever heard......you can always get social security cards replaced.....same with Drivers licenses...and maybe if you can't speak English...maybe that is a clue to dig deeper...He KNOWS there are Illegals working the system.....that is why he is protesting so hard.....

Take a sample of those signed up.....pick 100 at random....and check if they are citizens....I bet you get at least 40 illegals....there is your proof....