There was a discussion earlier this year in FR about a US/Mexico totalization agreement which would co-ordinate the Social Security plans of the two nations and pay benefits to those Mexican citizens who came here legally, worked legally, and moved back to Mexico to retire.
The article posted claimed that this program would pay billions of dollars to illegal aliens who worked in the US and returned to Mexico; the exact figure was roughly $432 billion in pay outs. The "close the borders" advocates were SCREAMING about the idea that billions of Social Security dollars would be paid to illegal aliens, and even went as far as suggesting that Bush should stand trial for treason.
Their arguments begged several questions, and gave strong indications about the dishonesty that seems to surround any discussion about immigration:
Which is is, and why then are they lying?
If they paid trillions or even thousands into income taxes it was because they committed felony decument fraud crimes to obtain the good jobs that Americans are glad to do. The guy raking leaves for $50 a week or the lady cleaning a house and acting as full-time baby sitter for $80 a week, getting paid in cash under the table are not turning around and finding ways to pay income taxes on it. When you commit a felony crime to get your money, you are not entitled to anything.
The problem with Mexican totalization as it's being considered is not how it looks on paper but what it'll eventually turn into, especially with any guest worker plan.
In only a matter of years if not months politicians will be calling for illegals and guest workers who do manage to go home to receive benefits too, out of "fairness". Happens everytime and we can expect that here as well.
All that will bankrupt Social Security, a program designed for retired Americans, not everyone else around the world.