There was no need to be rude in your reply to me, I was in no way rude in my posts. I was not making statements out of deception or ignorance. Surely you understand there is a difference in the way things could be done and the way they generally are done. I was speaking of the way they generally are done- at least in my neck of the woods, which is all I have ever claimed knowledge of.
I am aware of ITINs and I am also aware that they are mostly used by people with green cards, and others here legally under other circumstances. I got that info from a friend who is a CPA. She told me she has yet to file a return for an absolute illegal using the ITIN. A relatively new group using them are illegals who have figured out they can use them in order to receive loans for houses and vehicles. Their use is still not widespread by illegals, but may become so now that banks are actively seeking the business of illegals. That remains to be seen. Most illegals are still paid in cash under the table, or end up on a payroll using false documents. I know this for a fact, by knowing how many illegals in my area are paid. The most favored way of paying illegals in my area is to simply hand them cash- the second most favored way for those who need many workers is to have a labor contractor in the middle between the business owner and the illegal. That way if they are caught- the business owner did not hire them so he is in the clear. The business owner then gets a new labor contractor if the old one is busted. There may be a few illegals who actually file tax returns using the ITIN and pay taxes in a meaningful way, but I do not believe they are the majority by a long shot.
You're surre that this is available to illegal immigrants. Your post refers to resident and non-resident aliens using an ITIN. Does an illegal immigant fall into resident or non-resident alien?