Office of Borough President James P. Molinaro
Staten Island, New York
BP Molinaro slams “additional child tax credit” loophole; calls on Congress to act immediately
Illegal immigrants collecting billions; burden placed on middle class
STATEN ISLAND, NY— Borough President James P. Molinaro today expressed his outrage over the rampant abuse of the “Additional Child Tax Credit” by illegal immigrants, and called on Congress to take immediate action to prevent any further misuse of the provision by changing the tax law.
“This tax loophole allows illegal aliens to collect up to $1,000 per child, and does not require any proof that the child actually exists or lives in this country,” Molinaro said. “It doesn’t even have to be your own kid; the illegal workers are routinely claiming nieces and nephews who live in Mexico! This is absolutely outrageous, and what’s worse is the IRS is aware of what’s going on, and claims they are powerless to stop it without Congressional intervention.”
“Estimates show that there are 2 million illegal aliens filing for the credit, to the tune of $4.2 billion per year,” Molinaro said. “And that $4.2 billion isn’t coming from the rich, and it’s not coming from the poor. It’s yet another burden on the backs of the middle class, whose taxes go up to support these people that are cheating our government.”
“Once again, the middle class is paying for the government’s failure to act,” Molinaro said. “Not since Reagan granted amnesty to the illegals in the 1980s has government made a concerted effort to address the issue of illegal workers in this country, and now look what’s happening. Congress must take action to stop these payouts immediately.”
“I strongly urge both houses of Congress to address this issue as soon as possible, and to lift at least a small portion of the burden off of the middle class,” Molinaro said. “While they’re at it, they should also concentrate on reforming the AMT (Alternative Minimum Tax), to better help each and every middle class family with two working people. Instead of helping illegal aliens, the government should be helping the middle class, who have suffered enough over the last few years with a struggling economy and tax increases.”
“I would also like to thank Congressman Michael Grimm for taking action on this important issue,” Molinaro concluded.
May 10, 2012