Several times I have placed on this discussion board a 2009 article from the New York Times concerning how the population of foreign born senior citizens qualified for SSI entitlement has grown. The 1996 reforms enacted by Congress have extended by five years the waiting period for a sponsored family member to claim SSI. But people also live longer in these days.
The article can be found here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/31/us/31elder.html

I am encouraged to learn that Sen Tom Coburn (R-Oklahoma) is concerned about the abuse of the SSI programs by dubious claims of medical disability. I just contacted his office to inform them that the immigration aspect of SSI costs should be another area to address. Sen. Coburn has been a great friend to meaningful immigration enforcement. The SSI entitlement does go to legal immigrants, sponsored by family members, but is a burden the US taxpayers can live without.

This was the contact address I was provided.


http://coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contactform