Should illegal aliens be able to collect Social Security?

Question

An agreement the Bush administration reached with Mexico on Social Security benefits would allow illegal aliens granted amnesty in the future to claim credit for the time they worked illegally.
The deal was reached in 2004 but never released publicly because it hasn't been submitted to Congress. The TREA Senior Citizens League, a Social Security advocacy group, recently obtained the document through a Freedom of Information Act, and said it confirms the group's worst fears.
http://www.washtimes.com/national/20070104-120950-4277r.htm

Answer 1

Generally speaking, I would say no. If you are not a citizen or legal worker, then you should not be able to collect social security.

But there is more to the article than you are letting on here. The insinuation is that we are going to lose social security to illegal aliens, and this simply is not true. According to the article, they would only get the social security if they were granted amnesty, and it would have to be passed by Congress. None of this has happened. Likely, it is never going to. Congress is not going to pass a law like this, because they are elected officials, and the vast majority of the country is against illegal immigration.

Also, another factor to consider is that social security received, regardless of whether or not you are a citizen, is based solely on the amount of social security that is taken out of your pay check. So anyone who gets it would have to have worked here... legally. They would essentially just be receiving money that they paid for, so who cares? This is essentially more unwarranted fearmongering about illegal aliens.

Answer 2

If they have paid into the system, they should be able to get benefits just like anybody else who pays into the system. Social Security is not a welfare program - immigration status is irrelevant to social security.

If a person comes into the country illegally he can be deported and if he comes back after being deported he can be prosecuted criminally. There is no reason to confiscate a person's paid for pension benefits. -

Answer 3

Someone once said (don't remember who), that a government can't have both an open immigration policy and be a welfare state at the same time. Well we might as well have an open immigration policy considering how effective we are at keeping out illegals.

Answer 4

No they shouldn't and until the agreement is proposed to and passed by Congress (an unlikely event), they won't. Neither party will buy into any such plan, it would be political suicide. Why do you think Bush hasn't as yet made the proposal, he's not completely stupid.(?).

Answer 5

That must be part of bush's failed social security"Reform".I can see a temporary (90 days,maybe)amnesty,on the condition the illegals go through necessary paperwork,etc.to become actual citizens.If they don't,IMMEDIATE DEPORTATION.If anything,the employers who hire these people should be forced to pay the missing social security funds that are supposed to be taken out of the paychecks.

Answer 6

The only thing that illegals should be able to collect is lead from a firing squad.

Answer 7

If they are paying into the system they should be able to (get it back), if part of their wages is being put into SS, yes they should be able to get the money back.

Answer 8

It's a shame, but what is even sadder is that the American people will not stand up and do anything about it. As they stand in line and smile, waiting for their checks, us Americans will gripe and complain under our breathes and ***** about it at work.

Answer 9

No! No elaboration needed!~

Answer 10

Absolutely.................
not