HARRISBURG—Legislation sponsored by President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, which would ensure illegal aliens who live in Pennsylvania are not receiving public benefits, including Medicaid, welfare and in-state college tuition, was approved today by the State Senate.  

Scarnati's bill, Senate Bill 9, passed the Senate today with a bi-partisan vote of 40-9.

Senate Bill 9 would establish tighter scrutiny and criminal penalties that the Commonwealth's more than 100,000 estimated illegal aliens would face when applying for services.

"Pennsylvania needs to take the lead on the growing problem of illegal immigrants, and stop providing government benefits and services to those who enter this country outside the law," Scarnati said.  "Hardworking, taxpaying Pennsylvania residents are faced with the burden of supporting those who are entering our country illegally, and the problem is only getting worse every year."    

Scarnati's bill would require individuals requesting public benefits in the Commonwealth to provide identification proving they are legal residents.   Additionally, they would be required to sign an affidavit stating they are a U.S. citizen or an alien lawfully present in the United States. 

Any applicant signing the affidavit stating they are a legal alien would have their immigration status verified through the Federal Systematic Alien Verification of Entitlement Program (SAVE), operated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

"This legislation is necessary due to President Obama's unwillingness to deal with the national crisis of illegal immigration," Scarnati stated.  "Once again, states across the country are finding themselves dealing with federal issues that are hurting the taxpayers of their respective areas.  Senate Bill 9 is a matter of protecting citizens who are in Pennsylvania legally and encouraging illegal aliens to locate elsewhere."  Any illegal alien who falsely claims they are residing in the country legally, in order to obtain public benefits will have committed a second degree misdemeanor and be subject to arrest and deportation.

Under current federal law, illegal aliens are prohibited from receiving federal, state or local public benefits with the exception of emergency medical care, necessary immunizations and disaster relief.  However, Pennsylvania law is simply too lenient in enforcing those provisions.

The Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) estimates the current state and local annual cost to taxpayers for illegal immigration amounts to about $84 billion nationwide.  In Pennsylvania, the current estimated fiscal burden is nearly $1.4 billion.    

"Without question, we have too many illegal aliens in this country and in this state.  This bill acts to discourage illegal behavior and prevents actions that could place our citizens in financial jeopardy," Scarnati said. 

Senate Bill 9 now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.