Posted: | December 23, 2014 03:32 PM |
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From: | Senator Patrick J. Stefano |
To: | All Senate members |
Subject: | Proof of Citizenship for Receipt of Public Benefits Act |
In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation which would ensure that illegal immigrants residing in Pennsylvania do not receive public benefits like Medicaid, welfare and unemployment compensation. It is estimated that the federal government, along with individual state governments, spends billions of dollars of taxpayers’ money every year to provide services and benefits to people who are residing illegally in this country. Several states have begun to address this problem by enacting tougher laws to ensure illegal immigrants are not receiving public benefits. My legislation would require anyone requesting public benefits in the Commonwealth to provide identification proving they are a legal resident. Additionally, they will be required to sign an affidavit stating they are a U.S. citizen or an immigrant lawfully present in the United States. This legislation was previously introduced as Senate Bill 9 of the 2009–2010 Session, and passed the Senate by a vote of 41-9. I ask you to please join me in co-sponsoring this important piece of legislation. If you have any questions regarding this information, please contact Mark Fetzko of my office. |
Introduced as SB9