May 18: Ensign amendment (SA 3985 [submitted for himself, Santorum, and Inhofe])
Summary: Prohibits the payment of Social Security benefits based on quarters of coverage earned by an individual who has not at some point had a valid Social Security number.

TABLED NumbersUSA Urged A YES Vote

While this amendment only addresses part of the problem of aliens getting Social Security credit for work performed while they were illegally present - it would allow aliens who came in on temporary work visas, but overstayed, to get credit for all work performed, including after they became illegal – it is better than the current situation. By cutting off benefits and rewards to illegal aliens – in this instance, Social Security benefits – there is less incentive for them to illegally enter and reside in the United States. In reducing the pull of the “jobs magnet,” controlling immigration – both legal and illegal – is within our grasp.

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May 18: Akaka amendment (SA 4029 [submitted for himself and Inouye])
Summary: Exempts children of Filipino World War II veterans naturalized pursuant to the Immigration Act of 1990 from numerical limits on worldwide immigration.

VOICE VOTE PASSED **NumbersUSA Urged A NO Vote

Any additional exemptions from caps on visa issuance serve only to increase the flow of immigration into the United States.

May 18: Vitter amendment (SA 3964 [submitted for himself and Grassley])
Summary: Revises requirements related to an illegal alien’s documentary evidence of past employment (i.e., a condition of “earned legalization” amnesty) in the United States by deleting provisions that allow an alien to meet his/her burden of proof regarding employment through “reasonable inference.” Allows an alien who cannot present two “conclusive” documents (e.g., Social Security records, IRS records, pay stubs) to submit at least two other types of “reliable” documents providing evidence of employment (e.g., bank records, business records, sworn affidavits from non-relatives with direct knowledge of the alien’s work, remittance records). States that an alien applying for amnesty has the burden of proving, by a preponderance of the evidence, that he/she has satisfied employment requirements for amnesty.

VOICE VOTE PASSED