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File #: 200312    Version: 0 Name:
Type: Resolution Status: ADOPTED
File created: 5/1/2020 In control: CITY COUNCIL
On agenda: Final action: 5/21/2020
Title: Urging the President, Senate, and House of Representatives to amend the CARES Act to provide that U.S citizens with immigrant spouses who file joint taxes are eligible to receive economic stimulus payments for both adults and any dependent children, even if the immigrant spouse does not have a Social Security number.
Sponsors: Councilmember Oh, Councilmember Squilla, Councilmember Domb, Councilmember Henon, Councilmember Green, Councilmember Bass
Attachments: 1. Resolution No. 20031200, 2. Signature20031200

Title

Urging the President, Senate, and House of Representatives to amend the CARES Act to provide that U.S citizens with immigrant spouses who file joint taxes are eligible to receive economic stimulus payments for both adults and any dependent children, even if the immigrant spouse does not have a Social Security number.

 

Body

WHEREAS, The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) was signed into law by President Trump on March 27, 2020; and

 

WHEREAS, The legislation was the largest economic stimulus package in American history, with over $2.2 trillion allocated to sustain American workers and small businesses through the period of economic fallout during the novel coronavirus pandemic; and

 

WHEREAS, The legislation includes direct cash payments of $1,200 to Americans earning less than $75,000, or $2,400 for joint-filers earning less than $150,000, with an additional $500 per child; and

 

WHEREAS, Along with expanded unemployment benefits and small business aid, these direct payments will go a long way for millions of Americans without income during the crisis; and

 

WHEREAS, Reports show, however, U.S citizens and their children are being excluded from the payments because their spouse is an immigrant without a Social Security number; and

 

WHEREAS, Under the CARES Act, U.S citizens filing joint taxes with a spouse that does not have a social security number are ineligible to receive an economic stimulus payment for two adults, unless the citizen is a member of the military; and

 

WHEREAS, There are currently 1.2 million Americans married to immigrants without Social Security numbers; and

 

WHEREAS, During these unprecedented times of economic uncertainty, it is wrong to exclude U.S citizens and their children from receiving CARES benefits because one spouse is an immigrant without a Social Security number; and 

 

WHEREAS, The United States Congress and the President should amend the CARES act to allow vital relief to reach all U.S citizens who qualify under eligible income thresholds, regardless if their spouse has a Social Security number or not; now, therefore, be it

 

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHIALDLEPHIA, That it hereby urges the President, Senate, and House of Representatives to amend the CARES Act to provide that U.S citizens with immigrant spouses who file joint taxes are eligible to receive economic stimulus payments for both adults and any dependent children, even if the immigrant spouse does not have a Social Security number.

 

FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States and to each member of Congress representing Philadelphia.

 

End