John Ensign: “I hate to be offering an amendment such as this on this bill, but as we know around here, a lot of times we do not get…”

“I hate to be offering an amendment such as this on this bill, but as we know around here, a lot of times we do not get to offer amendments. I wanted to offer my amendment on the immigration reform debate, so we are offering it tonight because it is one of the only chances we will have to offer it this year. My amendment denies Social Security benefits for illegal, fraud-based work. It also ensures an individual who is on a visa overstay, or someone who has a card in their name but is working here illegally will not get credit for that illegal work. There have been many media reports recently about illegal immigrants stealing Americans' Social Security numbers. Last year I spoke about Audra, who was a stay-at-home mom since 2000. Over 200 different illegal immigrants stole her identity, used her Social Security number. She ended up owing the IRS over $1 million. That is the kind of thing we have to have stopped. We should not reward those who have stolen people's identities with Social Security benefits. I urge the adoption of this amendment.”