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Anger over illegal immigration, including that from thousands of senior supporters of TSCL, is throwing a monkey wrench into Congressional efforts to pass immigration amnesty legislation this year. But the Obama Administration appears to be bent on considering actions it could take without Congressional approval to achieve its objectives anyway, including giving permanent resident status and “green cards” to large numbers of people in the country illegally.
Recently an internal draft memo, prepared for the head of the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS), was made public by a group of Senators who are demanding that Congress hold a hearing to investigate. The memo, prepared by four senior officials in the USCIS, lists ways the government could help certain categories of illegal immigrants achieve permanent legal residence status and green cards—absent reform. “In the absence of Comprehensive Immigration Reform, CIS can extend benefits and/or protections to many individuals and groups by issuing new guidance and regulations,” the memo said.
A spokesman for the USCIS said the document was only a draft memo and should not be equated with actual policy. But critics, including TSCL, say that the memo gives credence to the concern that the administration would try to execute a “back-door amnesty” plan that could add significant long-term costs to Social Security and Medicare.
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A green card is an identification card issued to aliens in the U.S. who are in the process of becoming a permanent resident. It serves as proof that the cardholder has officially been granted permission to reside and take employment in the U.S.— the very two things illegal workers must have to claim Social Security benefits. Under current law, benefits claimed by former illegal workers may be based, at least in part, on unauthorized work. When determining entitlement to Social Security benefits, the Social Security Administration uses all earnings, even for jobs worked while the immigrant was illegal.
TSCL strongly opposes extending green cards to illegal immigrants by Administrative rule changes, and instead supports legislation that would protect Social Security by banning work credits based on unauthorized work. Take Action! To learn more about the legislation and whether your Members of Congress have signed on as co-sponsors: http://www.seniorsleague.org//index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=57&Itemid=144
Sources: “Obama Administration Considers Bypassing Congress On Immigration Reform,” Marcus Stern, Houston Chronicle, July 30, 2010. “Immigration Memo May Be Break For Immigrants,” Alfonso Chardy, The Miami Herald, August 2, 2010. “Permanent Residence,” Wikipedia, August 3, 2010.
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