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.
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