Bills
| 3.23.22

Eliminating Social Security Benefits for Work Done While In the Country Illegally (H.R. 2745)

Do you support or oppose this bill?

What is H.R. 2745?

(Updated October 7, 2017)

This bill would prohibit undocumented persons not authorized to work in the U.S. from receiving Social Security benefits. Current law forbids a person from receiving Social Security payments if they are here illegally, but their complete work history--including work done while in the U.S. illegally--can count toward Social Security benefits if the person later becomes a legal U.S. resident. This bill would disallow work hours done while in the U.S. illegally from counting toward such benefits. 

Argument in favor

Social Security benefits are for American citizens, period. If work was done by a person in the U.S. under a false name and false SSN, that person should not retroactively collect SSI benefits for that work.

Argument opposed

The surplus of these immigrants will become legal citizens; this bill simply keeps them poor, keeps Social Security trust funds lower, and disavows years if not decades of hard work.

Impact

The bill impacts undocumented American workers' access to Social Security benefits.

Cost of H.R. 2745

A CBO cost is currently unavailable.

Additional Info

Media:




While not directly related to the bill in question, The New York Times offers good overview of the issue of the immigration and Social Security here. 

(Photo Credit: VIVIRLATINO)

  • 36
    Kat_S
    Voted Nay
    01/29/2023

    Any human who works in this country and pays Social Security and Medicare tax should have the right to become eligible to receive those benefits if they otherwise qualify under Social Security's rules. This country is built on the backs of immigrants, and undocumented immigrant workers pay taxes just like anyone else.