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Those here illegally do not get what you claim
To the editor:
Charles Deibert, in his letter to the editor of June 24, makes several statements about benefits received by illegal aliens that are commonly believed, and yet are false. Here are the facts:
I would like to make clear, first of all, that aliens who receive any benefits in the U.S. are catagorized as LAPR, or Lawfully Admitted for Permanent Residence. Therefore, they are not "illegal" aliens.
1. According to the Social Security Administration's website, an alien Lawfully Admitted for Permanent Residence may receive Social Security benefits if he was lawfully residing in the U.S. and receiving SSI on Aug. 22, 1996; or if he was an LAPR who had completed 40 quarters (10 years) of work. If an alien entered the United States on or after Aug. 22, 1996, he may not be eligible for SSI for the first five years as an LAPR even if he has 40 qualifying quarters of coverage.
2. According to the National Immigration Law Center, immigrants pay more than their fair share of taxes and make vital contributions to the United States. Despite their hard work and the fact that their wages are often low, immigrants are not eligible for food stamps or other basic safety-net services on the same basis as U.S. citizens. Concerning food stamps, Congress enacted two bills (in 1998 and 2002) restoring eligibility for some categories of immigrants. However, most lawfully residing adults cannot receive food stamps on the same basis as citizens until they have been in the U.S. in a specified "qualified" immigrant status for five years.
3. According to Ballotpedia, In 1996, the U.S. Congress passed a law prohibiting noncitizens from voting in federal elections, such as U.S. House, U.S. Senate, and presidential elections. Federal law did not address state or local elections.[1] Fifteen municipalities across the country allowed noncitizens to vote in local elections as of January 2022. Eleven were located in Maryland, two were located in Vermont, one was New York City, and the other was San Francisco, California. Pennsylvania does not have any municipalities that have made this decision.
4. All children in the United States are entitled to equal access to a public elementary and secondary education, regardless of their or their parents' actual or perceived national origin, citizenship or immigration status. At least seven states -- California, Colorado, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, Texas and Washington -- allow undocumented students to receive state financial aid for continuing education. Students without legal immigrant status are ineligible for federal financial aid.
Finally, Mr. Deibert refers to certain countries and their laws concerning aliens. He lists Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, China, Venezuela and Cuba. Does he believe that these are regimes that the U.S. or other democratic countries should emulate?
Joan D. Loewen
Lewistown