Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) on Sunday made the case that illegal aliens should receive benefits from the Wuhan coronavirus relief package that recently passed through Congress.
"We got to make sure that we're able to basically provide them and fight for them when it comes to making sure – some of them don't have social security numbers. Some of them won't be able to use the benefits from what we passed this last session," Panetta explained on MSNBC. "Why not use what's called the individual identification numbers, the ITIN, an individual taxpayer identification numbers?"
According to the California congressman, there are 11 million illegal aliens in the United States. He believes they should benefit from the Wuhan coronavirus stimulus package because they contribute $11 billion in taxes every year.
"They should be able to take advantage of these benefits that they're paying into. Therefore, why not use the ITIN rather than a social security number?" he asked.
Panetta said he's backing legislation that would allow illegal aliens to receive funds from the stimulus package. It's known as the Coronavirus Immigrant Families Protection Act.
In addition to making sure illegal aliens have access to treatment for the virus, the bill, if passed, would also "prevent deportations in certain places and also extends Medicaid and SNAP benefits to those who need it the most."
Americans who make $75,000 or less will receive a one-time $1,200 stimulus payment. Couples who make less than $150,000 will receive a one-time $2,400. For each child that's in the family, an additional $500 will be tacked on to their check.
Democrat Rep. Jimmy Panetta: coronavirus relief should be used to give money to illegal immigrantshttps://t.co/K9AXWbLIzU pic.twitter.com/iKEgzutKFy
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