[KR: Very interesting story in the NYT today about a surge in tax filings by unauthorized immigrants–which creates a paper trail for potential legalization applications but also ITIN numbers for identification purposes. Ironic that some conservative advocates don’t like having the IRS and Homeland Security systems kept separate, even though it would likely mean a dramatic drop in revenues–although presumably it would also mean a drop in tax refunds]
One client, she said, was a Mexican man who lugged in a suitcase holding $14,000, cash he had set aside to pay his taxes over six years of work as a landscaper. Like many, he had only recently learned that he could file a legitimate tax return, said Ms. Borthayre, who is the author of several books on tax preparation with ITINs.
Like Social Security numbers, individual taxpayer numbers have nine digits, but all begin with a “9.” The appeal of the numbers grew as they were accepted in some places as alternative identification to open a bank account, qualify for credit or even obtain a driver’s license — all uses that the I.R.S. opposed and has tried to curb, Ms. Mathis said.
Since 2003, applications for an ITIN must be accompanied by a tax return, with few exceptions. And to avoid confusion with a Social Security card, the I.R.S. now sends a letter assigning a number, instead of a card.
Full story here: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/16/nyregion/16immig.html
[KR: It looks like Democrats can’t be the ‘party of immigrants’ without some Republican help; interesting tidbit in this story that Pelosi needs 70 Republican votes in order to pass an immigration reform bill; almost a NAFTA-like situation but with a Republican president]
“While Republican divisions were highlighted last year, this time it’s Democrats — eager to show they can lead — whose fissures are on display.
In an ironic twist, the outlines of a potential deal have moved to the right — toward a more difficult road to citizenship for the nation’s roughly 12 million illegal immigrants — even as the power in Congress has shifted to Democrats, who overwhelmingly favor a more permissive approach.”
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[Sylvia Manzano (Texas A&M) writes: “I guess this means Republicans are officially conceding the Latino vote.” KR: True, but this makes for good soundbites in the primary, especially if he wants to raise money. Gingrich probably doesn’t realize that there are plenty of language communities among Native Americans and Mexican Americans who predate the Hidalgo treaty–or maybe he does, and doesn’t care.]
Gingrich decries bilingual education
By KASIE HUNT, Associated Press Writer
Mar 31, WASHINGTON - Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich equated bilingual education Saturday with “the language of living in a ghetto” and mocked requirements that ballots be printed in multiple languages.
“The government should quit mandating that various documents be printed in any one of 700 languages depending on who randomly shows up” to vote, said Gingrich, who is considering seeking the Republican presidential nomination in 2008. He made the comments in a speech to the National Federation of Republican Women.
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