Thursday, August 23, 2007

How many individuals holding "non-work" Social Security Numbers are employed by government agencies? According to the Washington Times (H/T Hot Air), one report suggests a significant number:
f President Bush is serious about getting tough on U.S. employers who hire illegal aliens, he can start with his own administration, which employs thousands of unauthorized workers, says the top Republican on the House immigration subcommittee.

A 2006 audit showed federal, state and local governments are among the biggest employers of the half-million persons in the U.S. illegally using "non-work" Social Security numbers — numbers issued legally, but with specific instructions that the holders are not authorized to work in the U.S.

[...]

According to the 2006 audit by the Social Security inspector general, 17 of the 100 worst employers using employees with non-work numbers were government agencies: seven federal agencies, seven state agencies and three local governments. That means the government knows who those employees are, but usually does not go after them.
Another report claims that these holders of "non-work" SSNs who work illegally could collect up to $966 billion in benefits by 2040.