Illegal Alien Bill Goes to Full Senate

The Senate State Government Committee today approved legislation sponsored by Senator Joe Scarnati (R-25) that prohibits illegal aliens living in Pennsylvania from receiving public benefits, such as Medicaid, welfare, and in-state college tuition. Senate Bill 9 now goes to the full Senate for consideration.

“This has been an issue that I have been pushing very strongly for a number of years, but with the economy in crisis and folks losing jobs, it is even more crucial that we stop providing benefits to individuals who are living outside the law,” Scarnati said. “Pennsylvania citizens, who are struggling to make ends meet, should not have to use their hard-earned dollars to pay for illegal immigrants.”

Federal law prohibits illegal aliens from receiving state or local public benefits, however Scarnati said current Pennsylvania law is simply too lenient in enforcing the federal provisions.

The Federation for Immigration Reform (FAIR) estimates the current local annual costs of illegal immigration amount to about $36 billion nationwide. In Pennsylvania, which has more than 100,000 illegal aliens, the current estimated cost is $285 million. That cost is expected to grow to $812 million by the year 2020.

Senate Bill 9 will require anyone receiving public benefits in the Commonwealth to provide identification proving they are legal residents. In addition, individuals would be required to sign an affidavit stating they are a United States citizen, or an alien lawfully residing in this county.

Any applicant signing the affidavit stating that they are a legal alien would have their status verified by the Federal Systematic Alien Verification of Entitlement Programs operated by the United States Department of Homeland Security.

“Illegal immigration drains public funds, creates unfair competition for jobs with American workers, and imposes unnecessary strains on services designed to provide assistance to hard-working taxpayers,” Scarnati said. “My bill would help Pennsylvania to take the lead on the growing problem of illegal immigrants by making it clear that we will not provide government benefits and services to those who enter this country outside the law.