Senate Approves Scarnati Legislation To Deny Public Benefits to Illegal Aliens

HARRISBURG— Illegal aliens who live in Pennsylvania will no longer be eligible for public benefits, including Medicaid, welfare and in-state college tuition, under legislation sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati that was approved today by the Senate. Senate Bill 9 passed the Senate with a bi-partisan vote of 39 to 10.

Senate Bill 9 would also ensure that the Commonwealth’s more than 100,000 illegal aliens face tighter scrutiny when applying for services.

“Pennsylvania needs to take the lead on the growing problem of illegal immigrants and stop providing government benefits and services to those who enter this country outside the law,” Scarnati said. “Hardworking, taxpaying Pennsylvania residents are having the burden of supporting those who are entering our country illegally, and the problem is only getting worse every year.”

Scarnati’s bill would require anyone requesting public benefits in the Commonwealth to provide identification proving they are legal residents. Additionally, they would be required to sign an affidavit stating they are a U.S. citizen or an alien lawfully present in the United States.

Any applicant signing the affidavit stating they are a legal alien would have their status verified through the Federal Systematic Alien Verification of Entitlement Program (SAVE), operated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

“This legislation was made necessary due to Congress unwillingness to deal with the national crisis of illegal immigration,” Scarnati stated. “Once again, states across the country are finding themselves dealing with federal issues that are hurting the taxpayers of their respective areas. Senate Bill 9 is a matter of protecting citizens who are in Pennsylvania legally and encouraging illegal aliens to locate elsewhere.”

Any illegal alien who falsely claims they are residing in the country legally in order to obtain public benefits will have committed a second degree misdemeanor and be subject to arrest.

Under current federal law, illegal aliens are prohibited from receiving federal, state or local public benefits with the exception of emergency medical care, necessary immunizations and disaster relief. However, Scarnati said Pennsylvania law is simply too lenient in enforcing those provisions.

The Federation for Immigration Reform (FAIR) estimates the current local annual costs of illegal immigration from just three program areas amount to about $36 billion nationwide. In Pennsylvania, the current estimated cost is $285 million. That cost is expected to grow to $812 million by the year 2020.

“Without question, we have too many illegal aliens in this country and in this state. This bill acts to discourage illegal behavior and prevents actions that could place our citizens in financial jeopardy,” Scarnati said.

Senate Bill 9 now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.