Speech #960167549

The GAOs findings were a startling revelation to me. Specifically. the GAO determined that during 1977. in five States alone (those with the largest number of aliens). about 37.500 newly arrived aliens received close to $72 million in SSI benefits. About $16 million of this amount was paid to refugees. The GAO further found that of the total alien population receiving SSI an estimated 63 percent had enrolled in the program during their first year of residency in this country. All told. 96 percent of those aliens receiving SSI had resided in the United States for 3 years or less at the time they first began receiving benefits. I would now like to take a few moments to explain the loophole. The Immigration and Nationality Actthe foundation of our Nations immigration policyspecifically attempts to provide against newly arrived aliens receiving public assistance. In part. the act states that aliens are: Ineligible to receive visas and shall be excluded from admission into the United States . . . [if] in the opinion of the consular officer at the time of application for a visa. or in the opinion of the Attorney General at the time of application for admission. . . . [they are] likely at any time to become public charges. . . . (8 U.S.C. 1182) The second provision provides that any alien in the United States: Shall. upon the order of the Attorney General. be deported . . . [if] in the opinion of the Attorney General. [he/she] has within five years after entry become a public charge from causes not affirmatively shown to have arisen after entry. (8 U.S.C. 1251) To comply with these provisions. an alien seeking admission to the United States must demonstrate to the Federal Government that if he cannot support himself. he will not become a public charge once in this country. In order to meet this guarantee. an alien often has a sponsor. usually a blood relative or close friend. execute an affidavit declaring his willingness to support the alien if he cannot support himself once in the United States. The Immigration and Naturalization Service affidavit form provided to alien sponsors specifically states that: This affidavit is made by me for the purpose of assuring the United States Government that (the sponsored alien) will not become (a) public charge(s) in the United States. In the affidavit. the sponsor demonstrates his ability to support the alien by listing income and assets. In spite of this pledge of support. courts have ruled that the affidavit Is not an enforceable contract but merely a moral obligation on the part of the sponsor to the Federal Government.