Illegal workers may not see funds

MEXICO CITY – For the 14 years he worked as an undocumented migrant in the United States, Carmelo Rivera saw up to $30 deducted each week from the $300 to $500 he earned as a vineyard worker – and that money was supposed to pay for his retirement.

But like millions of other Mexicans who worked under false Social Security numbers, he is unlikely ever to see a penny of it.

In fact, if a group of U.S. congressmen has its way, undocumented migrants would be permanently barred from seeking to reclaim billions they paid into Social Security. Instead, the money would go to fund American citizens’ retirement.

Neither the migrants nor the Mexican government appears to be fighting the issue despite what’s at stake: a little-known Social Security account called the “earnings suspense file” that grows about $6 billion a year and now stands at about $376 billion.

The account is a catchall for mismatched names and Social Security numbers and is funded mostly by undocumented migrants.

Some lawmakers want to make sure illegal migrants never get Social Security. A bill submitted to the House last year by Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Calif., would “forbid any Social Security credits for illegal aliens or work (done) in violation of the terms of a visa.”