Mr. President. today I am introducing a bill which is being concurrently introduced in the House by Congressman THOMAS PETRI that will save Federal and State governments millions if not billions of dollars. The basis of the legislation is simplepeople who have violated American immigration laws and entered this country illegally should not have access to the American welfare system. It makes no sense to reward lawbreakers with a Federal or State handout. This bill takes this principle and applies it to the areas of Medicaid. unemployment compensation. food stamps and aid to families and dependent children [AFDC]. It does this by: First. requiring the State to require that all recipients for such aid. declare in writing. under penalty of perjury. whether or not the individual is a citizen of the United States. and if not a citizen of the United States. the individuals immigration status in the United States. and the individuals alien file number. Second. if an applicant is not a citizen of the United States. the State is required to use the persons alien file number to verify with the Immigration and Naturalization Service the aliens immigration status through a system that (A) uses the aliens name or file number to permit efficient verification. and (B) protects the aliens privacy to the maximum degree possible. Third. if the verification check reveals that the alien is ineligible for these benefits. the benefits shall not be reduced or terminated until the alien has had an opportunity to present documents establishing their eligibility. Fourth. benefits shall be terminated for aliens who are ineligible.
Keywords matched
Naturalization Immigration immigration