Rep. Gingrey Presses SSA on Procedures for Deferred Action Recipients
Last month, Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-Ga.) sent a letter to the Social Security Administration requesting details on how the agency would manage the issuance of Social Security numbers to illegal aliens who receive deferred action and a work permit through the Obama Administration's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Rep. Gingrey asked for a response by November 30, 2012, but has yet to receive one.
Just before the original deadline, an employee from the SSA contacted Rep. Gingrey's office asking for an extension to Dec. 14, 2012. The agency contacted Rep. Gingrey's office again on Dec. 4 asking for an indefinite extension.
"President Obama's directive to circumvent Congress and provide what amounts to backdoor amnesty to nearly two million illegal immigrants raises a multitude of questions, particularly whether this policy allows these individuals to collect federal benefits," Rep. Gingrey said in response to the second request. "In this time of economic uncertainty, it is imperative that we account for every taxpayer dollar spent. The Social Security Administration’s refusal to provide answers to even the most basic questions is unacceptable. I remain committed to finding answers, upholding our nation's laws, and working diligently to strengthen the integrity of our borders."
In his written request, Rep. Gingrey asked the Social Security Administration:
- If they've issued any Social Security numbers to illegal aliens awarded deferred action, and if so, how many;
- What criteria are used in the issuance of Social Security numbers and under what circumstances would an individual be denied;
- What guidelines have been provided to determine which DACA recipients would receive a Social Security number;
- Are there circumstances where a DACA recipient who's been given a work permit may be denied a Social Security number;
- Is there a system in place to indicate that DACA recipients who receive Social Security numbers are neither citizens nor lawful residents; and
- Will DACA recipients keep their Social Security numbers after the two-year period, and what systems are in place to prevent fraud or abuse after that time.
Rep. Gingrey's office has told the SSA that they should be able to answer some of the questions immediately, but the agency has said that it would like to provide answers to all questions at the same time.
For more information on this story, see the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.