The Bonner Plan: A New Approach to Stopping Social Security Fraud and Illegal Immigration

October 2004

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The term “saving social security” is most often applied to preserving benefits for the impending baby boom retirement. But our social security system must be protected from another crisis, this one already underway. The vast majority of illegal immigrants coming into the United States every year come here looking for work. In order to get a job, they often use fake social security cards. The current card, a simple piece of paper, is easy to duplicate and fakes are difficult to detect. Why not update the cards to make them more secure, and in the process clamp down on illegal border crossings? T.J. Bonner, President of the National Border Patrol Council, has recently advocated this kind of change.

Mr. Bonner’s suggestion, which I have introduced as legislation in the House, is to upgrade social security cards with modern technology like photographs and electronic signature strips so that their authenticity can be verified. Employers would then have a secure tool to ensure they are hiring only legal workers. The new cards would NOT be national ID cards. In fact, the legislation specifically states that a social security card cannot become a national ID card. Additionally, the bill includes a 400 percent increase in penalties for employers who knowingly hire illegal workers and makes each offense punishable by up to 5 years in prison. The bill also provides for an increase of 700 border patrol agents.

I believe the Bonner Plan is an important step in addressing the root cause of illegal immigration - those who are willing to risk all for a chance at a better life. A plan like this will make clear to those waging that risk that while the door to opportunity here is not closed, it must be entered legally. Illegal immigration is a serious problem that needs serious solutions. With the experience and insight of people on the front line like T.J. Bonner, real progress is possible.