Letter to Speaker Boehner and Democratic Leader Pelosi opposing the inclusion of Section 2107(d) in S.744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, which would deny Non-Citizens who legalize their immigration status Social Security credit for previously unauthorized work

SUMMARY

In a letter to Congress, the Committee on Immigration and Nationality Law expressed opposition to Section 2107(d) of S.744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, as it would impose a new penalty on those seeking to legalize their status in the U.S., denying Social Security credit for previously unauthorized work. Under Section 2107(d), these workers would never receive credit for unauthorized work completed between 2004 and 2014, and this would apply to those who obtain the newly-created registered provisional immigrant status under S. 744, as well as those who overstayed a visa but legalize through other avenues. In addition to violating basic notions of fairness by denying benefits to those who worked and paid into the system, Section 2107(d) will likely dissuade immigrants from legalizing, further drive immigrants into poverty which shifts social costs onto states and cities, and negate positive economic benefits of comprehensive immigration reform.