Impact of Central American Migrants on Social Security Act Programs

摘要

The report examines, per its mandate: the 'probable effect of the admission into the United States of refugees from Central America; on the costs, during the next 5 years, of programs carried out or assisted under the Social Security Act and of related programs of assistance.' The report concentrates on three main subjects: (1) the various Immigration and Nationality Act statuses available for benefits associated with each status; (2) A census of the numbers and demographic characteristics of refugees and displaced persons in the Central American region; (3) A survey of the 10 U.S. cities in which the majority of Central Americans in this country are thought to reside. The report concludes that there are approximately 750,000 to 1.3 million Central American nationals residing in the U.S. The study reported that Central American aliens' usage of public assistance seems to be very low. This low participation rate is explained primarily as resulting from the undocumented immigration status held by most Central American aliens. Only aliens who possess a lawful immigration status are eligible to receive public assistance.