Democrats Introduce Bill to Give Stimulus Money to Illegal Aliens
Several House Dems demand taxpayer-funded coronavirus relief for illegal immigrants
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Democrats have introduced a new bill giving taxpayer-funded coronavirus stimulus money to illegal aliens.
Several House Dems introduced the legislation that would grant illegal immigrants access to funds from the recently passed coronavirus relief package, if signed into law.
On Friday, Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA) introduced the Leave No Taxpayer Behind Act along with two other Democratic lawmakers.
The legislation would amend the CARES Act — the $2 trillion stimulus package intended to help Americans suffering under the coronavirus pandemic.
It seeks to allow individuals living in the U.S. unlawfully to apply for funds.
“I was appalled to learn hardworking, taxpaying immigrants were left out of the $2 trillion CARES Act,” Rep. Correa said in a Friday statement.
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"By casting out immigrants, we are placing some of our most vulnerable residents in grave danger," Correa continued.
"Every individual taxpayer, irrespective of citizenship status, needs government assistance now."
President Donald Trump signed the coronavirus bailout package on March 17.
The $2.2 trillion stimulus bill will provide a $1,200 payment to all single Americans who earn less than $75,000 annually, or $2,400 for families that earn under $150,000 — including $500 for each child under 17.
However, these funds do not provide assistance to individuals who don’t have Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers, which would include foreign nationals living and working in the U.S. unlawfully.
Supporters of the Leave No Taxpayer Behind Act likened this stipulation to discrimination.
"This virus does not care about immigration status. It does not discriminate and neither should we,” said California Democratic Rep. Judy Chu, who has also called for a freeze on deportations amid the pandemic.
"Immigrants own businesses and homes, support families, and pay rent, and contribute to their communities."
"Making it impossible for them to receive the same benefit we are sending to everyone else just means those immigrants will have a harder time affording food or rent, and that leaves us all worse off," Chu added.
"I hope to see this corrected in the next relief package.”
New York socialist Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) has been highly critical of the package not propping up illegal aliens.
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Ocasio-Cortez is furious that the emergency bill puts Americans first over illegals.
AOC slammed the GOP and Trump administration, claiming that the provision that will send money to individuals does not go far enough.
According to the bill, nonresident aliens are not eligible for the relief payments.
The checks are generally $1,200 for those who file taxes as individuals and $2,400 for those who file jointly.
"To clarify, $1200 checks are ONLY going to some w/social sec numbers, NOT immigrants w/ tax IDs (ITINs)," Ocasio-Cortez tweeted.
"Thanks to GOP, these checks will be cut off the backs of *taxpaying immigrants,* who get nothing," she added.
