Billions of tax dollars from undocumented workers up for grabs

[DBoon]

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/breaking_news/9536793.htm

MEXICO CITY - For the 14 years he worked as an undocumented migrant in the United States, Carmelo Rivera saw up to $30 deducted each week from the $300 to $500 he earned as a vineyard worker. The deductions were supposed to pay for his retirement.

But like millions of other Mexicans who worked under false Social Security numbers, he's unlikely ever to see a penny of it.

In fact, if a group of U.S. Congressmen has their way, undocumented migrants would be permanently barred from ever seeking to reclaim tens of billions they paid into Social Security. Instead, the money will go to fund American citizens' retirement.

Neither migrants nor their government appear to be fighting the issue, despite what's at stake: a little-known Social Security account called the "earnings suspense file," which grows at a rate of about $6 billion a year and now stands at about $376 billion.

An interesting counter to the common canard that illegal immigrants take advantage of government services and are draining our financial coffers

[pinerow]

1. Alas...

I have noticed this for years...not only can they not participate in a program that they have paid into for years; they cannot receive disability payments should they become disabled as a result of accident, injury or illness.

It is about time that there be an honest accounting of all this so-called "un-spent" wind-fall.

[denverbill]

2. I'm in a minority here, but I kinda say "So what?"

They came here illegally and used fake SS numbers to get a job. Now they are upset that they can't get SS benefits?

I'm all for any legal alien coming here and working. And I can certainly sympathize with illegal aliens who come to the US and work. I know they are doing what is right for themselves and their families.

However, I also know that illegal alien labor competes with American labor and legal alien labor and drives down labor costs.

[ret5hd]

3. its about freedom from exploitation

and fairness. you know, all the things we say we are for.

[denverbill]

5. Well, which are you for?

The only way illegal aliens are exploited is if they come illegally. They can't be exploited if they come legally.

And I am all for severely punishing those who hire and thereby exploit illegal laborers.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

4. What about the fact that they were robbed?

People come on these boards all the time and complain that THEY take OUR social security money, and who really is the theif?

[denverbill]

6. Actually, I've never seen that at DU.

People complaining about illegal aliens taking our SS money, that is.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

10. Try looking through a thread called

something like "I'm sick of all this illegal worker crap" or something. People did argue that illegals were using our resources.

[MichiganVote]

7. Consequences. I have mine. Illegal immigrants have theirs too.

I can't support illegal immigrants working the US w/o proper paperwork. They know the law, they avoid the law, they circumvent the law and they are supported in doing all of the above by business. However they disdain the law when they accuse US laws of exploiting them after they have deliberately mistated their presence in the US.

[pinerow]

8. Just for the record...Which "American" jobs are being stolen?

I certainly don't see "Americans" lining up at the Day-Labor spots, nor do I see them rushing to take those high paying fruit picker openings, that you read about everyday. I do, however, watch as high paying "American" technology jobs being sent overseas, or in some cases, hiring foreign software engineers etc. with the canard that "Americans" are not sufficiently educated for these jobs. That can only happen when corporations operate without a check on what they do...let's face it...Unions have lost the moral high ground when it comes to protecting jobs.

[Gin]

9. you missed the point....they used FAKE social security numbers....

they knew what they were doing. Go through the proper channels and come into this country as a LEGAL immigrant...and then they can get what is theirs "legitimately."

[pinerow]

11. I am well aware of the point...in any event...these so-called

"illegal" aliens pay taxes, both payroll and medicare...and there is no accounting for the money...that's my point.

[denverbill]

12. There is no job that will go 'unfilled' at the right price.

That's how capitalism is supposed to work. If no legal laborer will work for $5/hour picking lettuce, then the grower has a choice: increase wages to attract workers or let your crop rot.

The same goes for landscapers, janitorial services, fast food workers, drywallers, roofers, and any other job that is being taken by illegal laborers nowadays.

I don't understand your last sentence either. How have unions 'lost the moral high ground'? The ONLY good paying blue collars jobs left in the US are those protected by strong unions. You can't outsource the unloading of ships to overseas laborers. Illegal aliens have a tough time becoming licensed plumbers and electricians. Beyond those 3 career paths, good luck finding blue collar work that can be outsourced or replaced by illegal laborers. But I don't see how you can blame the unions for that. Blame 'right to work' laws, crooked businessmen, and weak protectionist laws in the US.

[Robert Oak]

14. That's complete propganda spin

Americans are not sufficiently education for these jobs.

Do you honestly believe that BUNK? It's about
low cost engineers.

Americans, with PHDs, MASTERS and BACHELORS from Stanford,
MIT, Georgia Tech...only the best engineering schools in the world...
are being fired and replaced with cheaper overseas workers.

Do you honestly believe an American with that kind of education
is inferior to an Indian? I THINK NOT!

[Robert Oak]

13. PEOPLE think about it!

They are here ILLEGALLY!

Greenspan is going on and on about dismantling social security...
not enough for US citizens

and these people, who are not here LEGALLY, should get
social security benefits, which will BANKRUPT social security????


NO WAY!

it would cost 50 BILLION dollars if you give them social security
and if Mexicans find out...how many more will cross the border
to the US and take American jobs?

They are hired because they work below minimum wage or at minimum
wage which undercuts America workers and yet you want them
to get US benefits.

UNBELIEVABLE! What about Americans? What about taking care of it's
own?

[Commendatori]

15. Count me in the "so what" camp as well.

Using a fake SSN is a felony, and the bit about illegals taking advantage of government services is not a canard - are you going to tell me that they contribute more tax revenue than their presence costs? If not, then I should get to vote in about five or six states this year, because I've paid taxes in them.

Illegals get to work here without going to jail, which is more opportunity than they would get where they came from. If that isn't enough for them, I have no sympathy - paperwork and red tape is part of the American dream.