Immigrant advocacy groups protest citizen verification bill

Immigrant advocacy groups protest citizen verification bill - Watchdog.org:
"Philadelphia immigration advocacy groups are trying to bend the ear of Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf.
Members of Juntos and Pennsylvania Immigration and Citizenship Coalition say they oppose a measure passed by the state Senate that would require proof of citizenship in order to receive public benefits.
I.D. REQUIRED: A reintroduced bill requiring proof of citizenship in order to receive public benefits has passed by the Pennsylvania Senate and is headed to the House.
Sen. Pat Stefano (R-Westmoreland) reintroduced the legislation that was formerly introduced in 2009.
It would deny public benefits, such as Medicaid, welfare and unemployment compensation to illegal immigrants living in Pennsylvania.
...The Federation for Immigration Reform (FAIR) estimates the current local annual costs of illegal immigration amount to about $36 billion nationwide,” Stefano said.
“In Pennsylvania, which has nearly 200,000 illegal immigrants, the current estimated cost is $285 million.
That cost is expected to grow $812 million by the year 2020.
...The measure, they said, goes too far in asking for citizenship verification and immigration status for anyone seeking food, housing or other public benefits, and make it illegal for non-citizens to possess a food stamp card.