Can the State Verify Citizenship for Heating Oil Assistance?
by Christine Stuart | October 9, 2007 5:57 PM
Posted to State Capitol
Republican lawmakers said Tuesday that $47 million in federal heating oil assistance for the state’s neediest residents is in jeopardy if the state continues to allow undocumented workers to receive it, but it may not be as easy as checking an individuals social security number, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal told a joint legislative committee.
Blumenthal said non-qualified aliens are not eligible to receive federal benefits, but community groups in the state that help distribute it “cannot be required to verify citizenship or immigration status.”
The debate over administering heating oil assistance was prompted last month by a whistlerblower from the Community Action Agencies in New Haven where its alleged that workers falsified social security numbers in order to qualify individuals for the program.
Blumenthal said the law is clear and CAA cannot knowingly accept false information and cannot commit fraud. He said if fraud is suspected then the agency has every right to use an individuals social security number to verify their citizenship or immigration status.
Office of Policy and Management Secretary Robert Genuario said if an individual does not qualify for the federal assistance program then the state and the community agencies have the ability to refer the individual to Operation Fuel where they may be able to get assistance.
Blumenthal said its up to lawmakers to decide how to proceed and what form of identification they want to use to detect fraud in the future. “It’s a policy issue, not a legal one,” he said.
Minority Leader Lawrence Cafero, R-Norwalk, said in a press release “This issue is not about illegal immigration. It is about compliance with the federal statutes.”
He said without the $47 million in federal funds 60,000 Connecticut families could go without heating oil assistance this winter. At a press conference before the joint legislative meeting this afternoon, Cafero said depending on what the state decides to adopt as guidelines for administering the funds, it could deprive those who are eligible from getting it.
And don’t think federal officials aren’t watching, Cafero warned. He said as the events in New Haven came to light FBI and Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials began monitoring the legislative response to this issue, even asking for a tape from Connecticut Networks of its first joint legislative meeting on the issue.
The joint legislative meeting was still going this evening and recessed to caucus around 5:30 p.m. It unclear at the moment what proposed amendment the committees will adopt.
Comments (4)
Posted by: on whalley | October 10, 2007 9:29 AM
Oh no! People who aren't supposed to be here in the first place will have to wear a hat and mittens to bed!
Good. It's more than painfully obvious that CT has some pretty big problems. I don't think we need to be ignoring the collapse of our cities, towns and state in favor of a more media friendly story like this.
I'll make a deal with them. We solve all of the citizens problems, then we'll help out the non-citizens. They want us to ignore the grease fire in the kitchen to lend them some sugar from the pantry. What gets me is how many people are busy measuring out sugar with their backs to the raging inferno!
How many shootings in New Haven? How many cops and politicians in line for cells? How high are the property taxes?
I'm beginning to think that if I run to Mexico than sneak back to CT I'll be better off.
Posted by: Stephen H | October 10, 2007 10:27 AM
If they can't handle the cold they should move back to Mexico where its warm.
I don't want my tax money used to hel heat the home of someone who dosen't belong here. That money should be for those here legally!!
Posted by: doug | October 10, 2007 11:39 AM
Point is well taken, on whalley, but I think there's a chance that solving the immigration issue might ensure that there'll be less grease to burn.
Posted by: Christine | October 10, 2007 3:10 PM
Stephen,
Obviously there are some pretty strong feelings on both sides of the immigration issue, but please watch your comments. When I say no personal attacks, I mean personal attacks on specific people, in addition to races, ethnic groups, etc. Not all immigrants are from Mexico, but I assume you already knew this. Let's keep the conversation civil. Please!