Posted on 08/26/2004 4:52:39 PM PDT by AuntB
Rep. Dana Rohrbacher spoke today about his bill to stop various republicans, democrats and special interest groups from bestowing Social Security benefits to illegal aliens on CNN's Lou Dobb's program.
Though Mr. Rohrabacher's bill doesn't go far enough to address the crisis of illegal immigration, he did bring up many interesting points. Legislation, on a bi-partisan effort, is asking to give illegals Social Security benefits only after earning 6 quarters of work credit, whereas U.S. citizens must work 40 quarters to qualify. The absurdity of this is too obvious to debate.
The following is from Rep. Rohrabachers website.
No Social Security for Illegal Aliens
The federal government is thinking about giving away Social Security benefits to illegal aliens.
Various interest groups are pushing for the Social Security Administration to sign a "Totalization Agreement" with Mexico that would entitle illegal aliens to Social Security benefits. With Social Security and Medicare in crisis, this is so irresponsible it takes the breath away.
Congress must act, and act now. I have introduced legislation, H.R. 1631, that would forbid any Social Security credits for illegal aliens or work in violation of the terms of a visa. This would emphatically not affect those who have a legal right to work, such as legal permanent residents or those who have valid work visas.
Estimates vary, but even the lowest figures show adding illegal aliens to the Social Security rolls will cost the Social Security Trust Fund billions and billions of dollars. Seniors should ask why anyone would want to give those dollars to illegal aliens, draining funds available for Social Security and Medicare benefits, and reward those who break the law.
Joel Mowbray, who writes for The National Review and The Washington Times has a very disturbing article on this issue. It should send a chill through the heart of anyone concerned about the solvency of Social Security.
My legislation HR 1631:
Forbids anyone working in the United States illegally from being able to participate in the Social Security system.
This includes not only undocumented (illegal) aliens, but anyone working in violation of the terms of their visa. (Someone on a tourist visa, for instance, is excluded.)
Why this legislation is necessary:
Current law is silent on this issue. While the SSA currently will not grant benefits to workers without a valid Social Security number, this is an administrative policy. Unless Congress acts, this policy can legally be changed by the Social Security agency. The U.S. State Department has been pushing for including illegal aliens in the Social Security system to use as a "carrot" to gain the Mexican government's cooperation on various international issues (the war on terrorism, criminal extradition agreements, etc.)
The 2000 Census results show over 11 million illegal aliens living in the United States.
If even one third of these become eligible for Social Security, it will devastate the system.
* Social Security benefits are weighted to give higher proportional benefits to lower wage workers. Most of these illegal aliens are very low wage earners, so they would receive far more than they paid in. * Joel Mobray from The National Review has estimated potential costs at $345 billion dollars * It will be a bookkeeping nightmare. Many illegal aliens create false Social Security numbers, use the Social Security numbers of others, and share both false and "borrowed" Social Security numbers with many others who use them also. Determining a verifiable work history will be impossible. * Making someone eligible for Social Security would also provide benefits to their spouses and dependent children, and not only Social Security but possibly Medicare -- upping the cost of this still further. * It rewards lawbreaking and encourages further illegal immigration. Some "Totalization Agreements" serve a useful function. Large corporations, both in the United States and abroad, often assign personnel to work in an overseas office for several years. During these years, personnel are "double taxed" -- they pay both Social Security and the equivalent tax in their native countries. Allowing the SSA and foreign agencies to give credit under one system toward retirement makes sense when it involves a limited number of persons working here legally and temporarily.
This is NOT the case with illegal aliens. MILLIONS of LAWBREAKERS with UNVERIFIABLE work histories will be added to the system -- causing a financial crisis.
Do you believe illegal aliens should be able to collect social security benefits?
Since the democrats or republicans are NOT listening to the vast majority of U.S. Citizens, this may be the only place to voice your opinion. Hopefully you will also tell your legislators.
As Rep. Rohrabacher stated tonight, " The democrats want the votes and the republicans want the cheap labor".
FYI
Paul Revere and Nathan Hale, where are you when we really, really need you?
Rep. Rohrbacker sounds like one of the few sane people left in Washington.
Then where's the hue and cry about social security going broke and doesn't need to be dishing out bennies to ILLEGALS who should be DEPORTED instead. Dang socialists!
You need Mexican citizenship!!
ping
The cost of Illegal Aliens was reported today to be Conservatively estimated @ 10 Billion +. If any of the Amnesty programs are viewed favorably by the Government the costs will tripple this amount. Social Security and the infrastructure it supports must be maintained paying into this system.
How sad. And this is happening in a Republican control Fed Gov. Where do we go next?
We knew this was coming, didn't we?
Great post. I want a roll call vote on this one!
From what the discussion seems to be, this kind of action is possible to implemented by the director of the agency. I hope that is not true, however, you may contact the SSA Administrator, JoAnne Barnhart through the website at: www.ssa.gov
There is a comment button on the left. The site is also available in Spanish.
I can understand some compassion to treat the ill, even if they are illegal, but when you and I are expected to work 7 times longer to qualify for benefits than someone breaking the law.....we are in trouble!
The Dems are traitors and the GOP is too, it would seem. Maybe it is time for an American Nationalist Party.
What a news day...Benefits for illegal aliens while Bush floats the idea of hookin' up with "MCcainiac" to silence the swift boats via the courts or legislation.
The whole operation seems to be run by dimwits...both parties.
We knew this was coming, didn't we?
Yep. Unfortunately. Worst part is there are veterans and other sick Americans who have paid into this scam for 30-40 years who cannot get their disability benefits. If you don't believe it, take a look here: http://www.PetitionOnline.com/SSDC/petition.html
Read some of the heartbreaking testimonies, and realize it could be you or me.
96% no.....when I voted.
If I have relatives in New York and Florida, can I vote twice?
Someone please tell me where I can find anywhere in the US Constitution where rights are granted to non-US citizens. All of these 'rights' for ILLEGALS just kills me. Immigrants are fine, we are a country of immigrants, but giving away the rights of our citizenship just cheapens the idea citizenship all together.
America for AMERICANS!!!!!
LOL! Not unless your relatives are illegals!
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