A bill introduced by State Senator Patrick Stefano (R-32) seeking to ensure that undocumented immigrants in Pennsylvania do not receive public benefits recently passed the Senate and is currently in the House of Representatives. 

SB 9 would require anyone requesting public benefits in the Commonwealth to provide identification proving they are a legal resident. 

Additionally, they will be required to sign an affidavit stating they are either a U.S. citizen or an immigrant lawfully present in the United States.

Stefano claims that “the federal government, along with individual state governments, spends billions of dollars of taxpayers’ money every year to provide services and benefits to people who are residing illegally in this country.”

However, South Philadelphia organization Juntos claims there are no documented cases in Pennsylvania of undocumented immigrants illegally accessing benefits.

A fiscal note from the Senate Appropriations Committee says the costs of implementing the bill could range from $496,000 to $746,000 in the first year.

Juntos claims the implementation of SB 9 would cost the state $20 million, but they did not specify a timeframe.

SB 9 has been introduced and defeated in three of the past four sessions. The current version was approved by the State Senate Feb. 24 and referred to the State House Feb. 26.

“This is a nation built on immigration and strengthened by our diversity. We are a state that has continuously embraced our varied backgrounds. To once again be confronted with legislation that is so contrary to our values and that criminalizes my community is an insult to the hundreds of thousands of immigrant Pennsylvanians who are proud to call Pennsylvania home,” said Olivia Ponce, member of Juntos.

"Undocumented immigrants can not receive benefits from the state even though this state benefits greatly from our labor, our taxes, and in many ways that can not be counted in dollars.  We are here to make a better life.  Our families are doing no harm to anyone, yet bills like this do harm our families and our entire state,” said Rodrigo Ortiz from Fight for Drivers Licenses in Franklin County and Chambersburg.

“SB 9 threatens a giant backward step for Pennsylvania. It is a great affront to any sense of social responsibility or human decency,” said State Representative Mark Cohen (D-202).

The public benefits include grants, contracts or loans from State or local government, as well as welfare, health, disability, public or assisted housing, postsecondary education, food assistance, unemployment or similar benefits.