Thread: Pa. bill intends to stop aid for illegal aliens

Pa. bill intends to stop aid for illegal aliens
By Brad Bumsted
STATE CAPITOL REPORTER
Thursday, October 18, 2007

HARRISBURG -- Pennsylvania would halt state benefits to illegal immigrants under a bill considered Wednesday by a Senate committee.

Sen. Joe Scarnati, the chamber's top-elected Republican and the bill's sponsor, said the intent is to drive illegal immigrants out of the state.

"If they go to Maryland, if they go to New York, then (those states) will have to deal with it," Scarnati, R-Jefferson County, told the Senate State Government Committee. He said illegal immigration should be a "federal issue," but the federal government isn't tackling the problem.

His bill would require people receiving welfare, housing, health or unemployment benefits from the state of Pennsylvania to provide identification and affidavits stating they are legal residents. Immigrants who claim benefits illegally would be subject to criminal prosecution. Children are exempt under the bill.

"The reason I am supporting (the bill) is that it has some teeth," said Sen. Mike Folmer, R-Lebanon County.

Since Scarnati is the Senate's president pro tempore, it seems likely the full Senate eventually will consider the legislation, which resembles a Colorado law enacted last year. However, State Government Chairman Jeffrey Piccola, R-Dauphin County, said changes are needed before the bill comes up for a committee vote, though he didn't outline what changes were needed. The vote, he said, might not be before the end of the year.

Scarnati cited figures from the Pew Hispanic Center showing as many as 150,000 illegal immigrants live in Pennsylvania. Their state benefits cost $285 million a year, according to the Federation for Immigration Reform.

Estelle Richman, secretary of the state Department of Public Welfare, criticized the proposal as unneeded and unfair.

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

The federal and state governments already require some ID and Scarnati's bill changes how an applicant verifies citizenship, she said. The affidavit would make it difficult for people with dementia in nursing homes, mentally retarded adults and victims of domestic violence, to get needed benefits, she said.

The legislation "will have a bigger impact on Pennsylvania citizens in need of public benefits than on undocumented immigrants," Richman said.

http://pittsburghlive.com

The legislation "will have a bigger impact on Pennsylvania citizens in need of public benefits than on undocumented immigrants," Richman said.

And how does she figure that????????????
Citizens can show proof....and maybe with the illegals not grabbing it, maybe there will be more for citizens....You think?????

The affidavit would make it difficult for people with dementia in nursing homes, mentally retarded adults and victims of domestic violence, to get needed benefits, she said.

Not true, more fearmongering by an illegal lover.

People with dementia, mentally retarded have guardians who usually have power of attorney and can provide the proof for them.

Victims of domestic violence also have the proper ID, unless they are illegal, then they should receive NADA.

Quote:

The affidavit would make it difficult for people with dementia in nursing homes, mentally retarded adults and victims of domestic violence, to get needed benefits, she said.

Once again the illegal invader sympathizers highlight the small exceptions and use those to argue their opposition to constructive legislation.


I would expect the above referenced individuals could have a guardian assist in such matters. But to allow hundreds of thousands of illegals to continue to receive benefits under the guise that some people may have difficulties is outrageous! Illegal invaders should not benefit because someone has a disability. That's such a dishonest argument that the person who made it should be removed from office for even suggesting it!