According to an article in The New York Times, the estimated 7 million illegal immigrants in the United States are adding $7 billion to the Social Security system each year. How? They are working and paying into Social Security and Medicare, but since they are not citizens, they cannot benefit from the programs once retired. The money contributed by "illegal immigrants" added up to about 10 percent of last year's surplus — the difference between what the system currently receives in payroll taxes and what it gives out in pension benefits. What's even more interesting is that the money paid by illegal workers and their employers is factored into all of the Social Security Administration's projections. Really. Perhaps it's no longer a question of wanting "illegal immigrants" in this country, but we might actually need "illegal immigrants" to secure our future. Still think that "illegal immigrants" don't contribute anything to the country?
Read more at The New York Times.
—Nsenga K. Burton