The contributions of the undocumented

The MAGA mob railing against undocumented workers undermining Social Security are a tad off base. In 2022, undocumented workers contributed $22.7 billion into Social Security, none of which went to the contributors.

How can this be? Two ways

1. Using a fraudulent Social Security Number: Payroll taxes are withheld from their paychecks and reported to the Social Security Administration using that number.

2. Paying with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number: The IRS issues an ITIN to people who use a fraudulent or borrowed Social Security Number. In these cases, payroll taxes are withheld from their paychecks and reported to the Social Security Administration using that number. However, this is for income tax purposes, and an ITIN does not provide eligibility for Social Security benefits.

Impact on the Social Security system? The undocumented workers, by contributing to Social Security but not receiving benefits, contribute a net positive effect on the financial status of the Social Security Trust Fund.

Undocumented workers are pouring tens of billions into the Social Security system, helping keep it solvent, while pouring tens/hundreds of billions into the economy with their purchasing. Why arrest/deport a single one not caught committing a violent or property crime? Political grandstanding using 21st century poorly trained ICE storm troopers?

Inquiring humanitarians and democratic patriots would like to know.

Walt Zlotow

Glen Ellyn