U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-9) is a co-sponsor of legislation known as the No Social Security for Illegal Immigrants Act of 2011, a bill that would forbid unauthorized work from counting toward Social Security credits. The act would not punish any immigrant that is in the United States on a valid, non-expired visa.

“Our economy is at a crossroads, and we should not be rewarding illegal behavior by offering access to programs that are meant for American families,” Luetkemeyer said. “There is a general consensus out there each time I return home to Missouri that people are frustrated that Washington is not doing what needs to be done on illegal immigration, which not only is continuing to grow, but is costing more and more of Americans’ hard-earned tax dollars.”

There are over 21 million foreign-born, non-citizens living in the United States; of this number, 11 million are illegal immigrants. Current law forbids an individual from receiving Social Security payments if he or she is here illegally, but a person’s entire work history, including work done as an illegal immigrant, can count toward Social Security benefits if the person becomes a legal resident. This legislation simply ensures that individuals who are in the country illegally do not benefit from work performed in the United States. 

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