Speech #1090133563

As soon as I finish my statement. I will be glad to yield to my friend from Nevada. I point out to my colleagues a recent Los Angeles Times article that indicates tens of thousands of undocumented immigrants are already lining up to pay current and back taxes. They want to do that because they want to play by the rules. So we are going to tell them there is one set of rules for them to pay their back taxes. but the taxes they have already paid they will receive no benefits for. What about the fiscal consequences of the amendment? I submit that if Social Security is not available in the future for immigrants. that when they retire or become disabled. then State and local governments and potentially the Federal Government will be forced to absorb significant costs as the Federal Government has refused to provide services and supports paid for by tax dollars of millions of legal immigrants. This amendment would simply continue this trend. The Senator from Nevada has argued that his amendment is about combating identity theft and that the bill before us says identity theft is OK.