Posted on March 21, 2005

Will Illegals Get Social Security?

WorldNetDaily, Mar. 17

While President Bush continues his push to “save Social Security,” immigration-reform advocates in Congress are battling an administration proposal they believe could result in Social Security benefits being paid to Mexicans living and working illegally in the U.S.

Rep. Virgil Goode, R-Va., has introduced a resolution expressing congressional disapproval of the U.S.-Mexico Social Security Totalization Agreement.

And in a new letter to supporters of his Team America PAC, leading reform advocate Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., commented: “At a time when the administration is telling us that the Social Security system designed to protect the retirement years of American citizens is in ‘crisis,’ it is incredible that such an immoral proposal should be put forward.”

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The Colorado congressman said he is one of 30 co-sponsors of Goode’s resolution, “which is a very significant warning shot across the administration’s bows.”

The U.S. has similar totalization agreements with 20 other nations, as they’re designed to ensure retirement benefits for those who legally work and contribute to another country’s retirement fund. The difference in the Mexico proposal is that it would apply to illegal workers in the U.S. who would be eligible for benefits after working only six quarters.