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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | February 28, 2024 02:18 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Doug Mastriano and Sen. Chris Gebhard |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Remittance Fee on Illegal Immigrants in Pennsylvania |
| In the near future, we plan to introduce legislation to deter illegal immigration and generate significant new revenue for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program. Our bill will impose a 10% fee on international remittances conducted by an illegal immigrant who sends money overseas through a money transfer licensee or agent. An international remittance is a sum of money that is electronically sent out of the Pennsylvania economy and into the economies of international destinations. Illegal immigrants utilize remittances to send earnings back to their relatives or friends in a foreign country. Over $70 billion dollars is transferred from the United States to the economies of recipient nations on an annual basis. Oklahoma enacted a 1% fee on remittances in 2014. The most recent tax report shows that the fee generated over $15 million in annual revenue for their state. Pennsylvania’s estimated illegal immigrant population is higher than Oklahoma’s and the revenue generated from a remittance fee here in PA would result in significantly more annual revenue. Under our bill, the infusion of this annual revenue will be directed to the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program for the purpose of offering additional relief and enhancing the program for future expansion. We cannot stand idly by as illegal immigrants profit from breaking our nation’s laws. This legislation will be a commonsense solution to disincentivize illegal immigration and expand much needed property tax/rent relief to legal citizens in Pennsylvania. Please consider co-sponsoring this important legislation. |