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eppur_se_muova

(38,686 posts)
Wed Apr 2, 2025, 03:21 PM Wednesday

Myth #6: Undocumented immigrants drain Social Security (AARP)

The facts: Some have blamed problems with Social Security's financial health on undocumented immigrants draining the system's resources. It's a popular complaint, but a false one. Noncitizens who live and work in the U.S. legally can qualify for Social Security under the same terms as native-born and naturalized Americans, but undocumented people are not allowed to claim benefits.

There is evidence that undocumented workers actually improve Social Security's bottom line. Some do obtain Social Security numbers under false pretenses, and payroll taxes are withheld from their wages even though they are not eligible to later collect benefits. Undocumented immigrants paid $25.7 billion into Social Security in 2022, according to a July 2024 report from the nonpartisan Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy.

https://www.aarp.org/social-security/myths-misconceptions-explained/#:~:text=The%20facts%3A%20The%20two%20trust%20funds%20that%20pay,fund.%20Social%20Security%20is%20a%20separate%2C%20self-funded%20program.'



Hat tip to PeaceTrain for pointing out this article: https://democraticunderground.com/100220199534

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