Distorted Claims about Immigrants and Social Security Refuted

"Legalizing undocumented immigrants sooner rather than later would help the Social Security system because it would enable these immigrants to earn more income and pay even more taxes," Jonathan Blazer, public benefits policy attorney, writes in a blog entry refuting distorted claims made by Rep. Lamar Smith, the top-ranking Republican on the House Judiciary Committee. "But don't take my word for it. Read the letter [the Social Security Administration's] chief actuary sent to Rep. Smith for the complete picture. The chief actuary's more balanced view is consistent with other official assessments. The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the 2007 Senate comprehensive immigration reform bill would have resulted in a $56 billion net increase to the fund over the next 10 years. SSA itself estimated that implementation of the 2006 Senate-passed bill would have improved the long-term solvency of the Social Security trust fund."
The article in its entirety is available on Immigration Impact, the Immigration Policy Center's blog.