But under the bill. those who would be .given amnesty wont have to produce any proof of English skills for 12 years. They said there would not be a benefit of welfare. But the earned income tax credit will be given to people immediately upon their being given lawful status in the country. not a Z visa. even. but the probationary status. An average recipient of the earned income tax credit gets about $1.800 a year. and that is not chickenfeed. It was designed to encourage work by working Americans. not to provide an incentive for people to come to our country illegally.