Stimulus checks won't go to these taxpayers. That's unjust (opinion)

CALL THEM WHAT THEY ARE UNDOCUMENTED TAXPAYERS

WHO PAY MORE IN TAXES THAN EITHER AMAZON OR JEFF BEZOS

By Tim Breene for CNN Business Perspectives 3/27/2020

Editor’s note: The opinions in this article are the author’s, as published by our content partner, and do not necessarily represent the views of MSN or Microsoft.

In the midst of this economic crisis caused by the coronavirus, there is broad bipartisan support in Congress to provide payments to American taxpayers to offset the economic impact of the coronavirus. Among other components of the nearly-$2 trillion relief package negotiated in the US Senate, the agreement announced Wednesday morning reportedly will include checks of $1,200 to most American adults. These funds are supposed to help those who are out of work to pay for food and lodging and to stimulate the contracting US economy, encouraging people to spend even while they are stuck at home.

Unfortunately, the Senate proposal does not include all taxpayers. Those who file their taxes using an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead of a Social Security number have been left out, according to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. Omitting these taxpayers will exclude many of the American taxpayers who are most vulnerable in the current crisis: undocumented immigrants.

Failing to aid these workers will be disastrous to them and their families and will have a significant negative impact on the economy.

If the Senate bill is passed without amendment by the House and signed by the president, it will not be the first time that taxpayers who file their taxes with an ITIN will not receive stimulus checks. In 2008, when our country issued similar checks, not only were taxpayers who filed with ITINs excluded -- so were those with a valid Social Security Number who jointly filed a return with a spouse with an ITIN (with a limited exception for military families).

In hindsight, it's clear immigrants suffered disproportionately as a result of the Great Recession. For example, in 2008 alone, Hispanic immigrants' unemployment rate jumped from 5.1% to 8%, a significantly greater increase than among other American workers.

Since 1996, ITINs have been issued by the IRS to individuals ineligible for a Social Security Number -- mostly (though not exclusively) because they are immigrants who are undocumented.

In an effort to encourage these undocumented immigrants to file and pay their taxes, the IRS has long highlighted that it maintains a wall of separation from the Department of Homeland Security, which is responsible for immigration enforcement. "We want your money whether you are here legally or not and whether you earned it legally or not," IRS Commissioner Mark Everson said in 2007. Even in an era of increased rhetoric about immigration enforcement, federal tax law continues to prevent these taxpayers' information from being shared for immigration enforcement purposes. 

Many undocumented immigrants have taken the IRS at its word: By 2015, more than 4 million people annually were using ITINs to pay $4.35 billion in net taxes.

These unauthorized immigrants are concentrated in the industries likely to be most immediately impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Though only about 5% of the US labor force overall is undocumented, they make up 10% or more of those working in the accommodation and food preparation and service sectors. The women and men who clean hotel rooms are either being laid off or are having their hours dramatically reduced. In addition, servers, cooks and dishwashers are all among those likely to be let go due to this crisis. They need economic relief urgently.

From an economic perspective, I know that lower-income people -- including most who would pay their taxes with an ITIN -- are the most likely to quickly spend a stimulus check, precisely because they do not have the financial margin to save. If $2,200 was sent to a single parent with two children who was previously earning $12 per hour, they would likely use the funds to buy groceries, pay a cell phone bill or cover a car, rent or mortgage payment. This is the money which continues to circulate in the US economy.

Unlike those with significantly higher earnings, hourly workers generally are not in a position to simply save those funds for a rainy day -- that rainy day has come and the water is up to their necks.

Undocumented immigrants -- who are contributing taxes yet are generally ineligible for social safety net programs, such as food stamps, subsidized housing or Medicaid -- are among those most at risk of hunger or eviction from their homes in the current crisis. Given that many lack medical insurance, they are also least likely to seek and receive health care if they contract COVID-19. Roughly 5 million US-born children of undocumented immigrants will also bear the weight of these impacts.

I'm not dismissing the reality that these immigrants have violated US immigration law, either by entering the country unlawfully or overstaying a temporary visa. Like other evangelical leaders at World Relief, I have opposed calls for amnesty, arguing instead for a restitution-based immigration reform, that establishes a process by which undocumented immigrants could get right with the law if they pay a penalty for their violation of law.

Were Congress to take up such reforms, our experience at World Relief providing legal services to tens of thousands of undocumented immigrants suggests most would be eager to pay such a fine and make amends. But in the midst of this crisis, congressional action on immigration reform is not likely to happen quickly.

What can happen is that Congress can acknowledge that these undocumented immigrants have complied with IRS requirements to file and pay their taxes utilizing an ITIN. We should be fair to these American taxpayers, among the most vulnerable at all times but more so now. Congress should move quickly to send stimulus checks -- and send them, in particular, to these uniquely vulnerable taxpayers.

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Some U.S. Governors have stepped up during coronavirus, others not so much

Corky Siemaszko

During a recent conference call with America's governors, President Donald Trump was pressed by Washington Gov. Jay Inslee to use his authority to ramp up production of badly needed medical equipment to combat the coronavirus.

© Getty Images/AP file Image: Jay Inslee, Andrew Cuomo, Mike DeWine

But when Trump said the federal government was merely the "backup," Inslee, who is a Democrat, let him have it, according to an audio recording of the call obtained by The Associated Press.

"I don't want you to be the backup quarterback, we need you to be Tom Brady here," Inslee said, invoking the name of the football star who also happens to be a Trump friend.

Trump didn't like that one bit.

"They think Tom Brady should be leading the effort," Trump groused at a news conference later Thursday. "That's only fake news, and I like Tom Brady, spoke to him the other day, he's a great guy."

Fake or not, it was yet another example of a governor - frustrated by the Trump Administration - taking charge while Washington is playing catch-up, a panel of experts on leadership told NBC News.

Trump didn't declare a national emergency until March 13, by which point 20 governors - a dozen Democrats and eight Republicans - had already declared emergencies in their states. That includes Trump loyalists like Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis who have also taken flak for not moving fast enough.

"Because the federal government was so slow to act, you saw state leaders, both Republicans and Democrats, stepping into that void and taking matters into their own hands," said Asher Hildebrand, a public policy professor at Duke University and former chief of staff to U.S Rep. David Price (D-N.C.).

And some governors like New York's Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, have really risen to the challenge, he said.

"More than any other governor, Cuomo has channelled the nation's yearning for sober, decisive and competent leadership during this time of crisis," Hilderbrand said. "And his blend of cajoling and flattery in dealing with President Trump is a model for the times. Watching his candid yet reassuring briefings, one is struck with feeling that Cuomo has finally found his moment to shine."

Alvin Tillery Jr., a respected political science professor at Northwestern University, said Cuomo and several other governors have performed exceptionally well during this crisis, including Inslee.

"He gets an A+ for raising the national alarm about community spread (in places like nursing homes," Tillery said of the Washington governor. "He has also been a leader in pushing the federal government to assist the states. He has also used the authority of his office to use creative ways to get triage hospitals built in the state."

Also deserving of top grades, in Tillery's estimation, are Democratic governors Gavin Newsom of California, J.B. Pritzker of Illinois, Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan 

TRUMP REFUSES TO CALL HER BY HER NAME OR REFER TO HER AS GOVERNOR INSTEAD HIS MISOGYNISTIC REPTILE BRAIN BRANDS HER THAT WOMAN.

Detroit Free Press: Trump OKs Michigan disaster declaration, Whitmer says it's 'a good start' More: Trump to Mike Pence: 'Don't call the woman in Michigan,' aka Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

and Republicans Larry Hogan of Maryland and Mike DeWine of Ohio.

"[DeWine] gets an A+ for decisive action to delay the state's primary," Tillery said of DeWine. "He has also done an excellent job communicating with his constituents about the potential need to have a long period of social distancing in Ohio."

DeWine was also among the first governors to require health screenings to people before they visit places like nursing homes and prisons, added Hildebrand.

Jaime Dominguez, who also teaches at Northwestern and is the founder of the Chicago Democracy Project, agreed with his colleague's assessment.

"All of these governors have demonstrated through public statements and personal interviews that partisan politics will not - and never will - mitigate the state's response to this public health crisis," said Dominguez.

Other Democratic governors like Louisiana's John Bel Edwards have also been working effectively with their legislatures and doing a stellar job of keeping their constituents in the loop, Dominguez said.

Hildebrand also gave a shout out to Roy Cooper, the Democratic governor of his home state, North Carolina.

"With two major hurricanes in the past four years, it feels as if Cooper has been in crisis management mode for his entire first term," Hildebrand said. "Fortunately, this has prepared him well to act decisively, communicate effectively with his citizens, and work cooperatively with his Republican legislature and president during this crisis."

There was mostly agreement among the experts interviewed by NBC News as to which governors have not risen to the occasion.

"On the other end of the spectrum are two governors who placed their partisan allegiances and or anti-intellectualism above the safety and welfare of their constituents," Tillary said.

They are DeSantis and Tate Reeves of Mississippi, who is also a conservative Republican and Trump ally, he said.

Tillary faulted Reeves for signing an executive order that effectively went against the advice of the Mississippi Department of Health by declaring most businesses in the state "essential" and thus exempt from restrictions on public gatherings. He also deemed most religious facilities "essential" just days after the state's top doctors told residents to skip church and avoid weddings and funerals to slow the spread of the virus.

"When the caseload in Mississippi explodes, he will bear the responsibility for it due to this ignominious action," Tillary said.

Parker Briden, Reeve's deputy chief of staff for external affairs, said they've been dealing with a lot of "viral disinformation" about the steps the governor has taken and that they have been working in tandem with state health officials.

"One of the first things the governor did was plead with people to stay out of the churches," Briden said. "However, the governor does not believe we have the right to shut down churches any more than we have the right to shut down the media."

As for DeSantis, "he earns an F for allowing the beaches in Florida to stay open to thousands of tourists from out of state over the past two weeks," Tillary said. "He also compounded this error by supporting President Trump's magical thinking about the possibility of ending social distancing by Easter."

Dominguez ranked Reeves, DeSantis and two other Republican governors at the bottom for failing to be proactive in the face of the crisis, for doing a poor job of executing the state's response, and for being "too concerned about making sure that their messaging aligns with the President's actions and recommendations on curtailing the virus."

"Social distancing has not been a priority," Dominguez said. "They have done a poor job on transparency."

They are Kay Ivey of Alabama, and Greg Abbott in Texas.

Abbott has been criticized for not issuing a statewide stay-at-home order, although it was Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick's suggestion that senior citizens would be willing to die for the U.S. to "get back to work" that made headlines.






"With the nation's second-largest population, the highest uninsured rate in the country, and a legislature that doesn't meet at all in even years, Texas is a state in which the governor's role during a time of crisis is indispensable," Hildebrand said. "Yet Abbott has behind the curve in nearly every protective measure - declaring a state of emergency, activating the National Guard, ramping up testing capacity, closing bars and restaurants."

Additionally, Hildebrand said, Abbott "has shifted much of the emergency response to local municipalities."

As for Ivey, as recently as Thursday she was also refusing to issue a statewide stay-at-home order. And it wasn't until Friday that she closed schools until April 6.

"Y'all, we are not Louisiana, we are not New York State, we are not California," Ivey said. "Right now is not the time to order people to shelter in place."

Hildebrand also faulted Oklahoma Gov, Kevin Stitt, a Republican, for his performance.

"Stitt not only resisted calls to close non-essential businesses and places where people congregate, he Tweeted a photo of his family dining in a 'packed' Oklahoma City restaurant as the virus was spreading," he said.

That March 14 tweet has since been taken down.

NBC News has reached out for comment to DeSantis, Ivey, Stitt and Abbott.

The global pandemic has raised the national profiles of some governors like Cuomo, whose daily briefings have at times gotten more attention than Trump's updates. But Amy Liu of the Brookings Institution said there's another way of measuring the effectiveness of the governors' responses.

"Beyond judging governors' performance on cable talk shows or regular press briefings, one way is to evaluate governors on how well they are working with their state legislatures to get something done," said Liu. "In other words, are they passing laws to protect workers are families."

Using that as a benchmark, Liu said, DeSantis and the other Republican governors like Doug Ducey of Arizona and Bill Lee of Tennessee have had some success in helping their states.

Liu buttressed her assertion on research compiled by the National Conference of State Legislatures, which listed all the states that have passed, or are about to pass, new COVID-19 legislation.

"What's interesting to note is that nearly every governor, no matter their party, is taking this matter seriously," Liu said. "And what's particularly striking is that the GOP controls the governorships and state legislatures in 21 states and many are stepping up."

Today in History: March 29

1847: US forces take Veracruz in the Mexican–American War
 

 1847: The bombardment of Veracruz by American troops during the Mexican-American War. Original Artist: By Carl Nebel. (Photo by MPI/Getty Images)

During the Mexican-American War, U.S. forces under General Winfield Scott invaded Mexico three miles south of Veracruz with few casualties. The Americans took over the fortified city and its massive fortress, San Juan de Ulua.

1865: Appomattox campaign begins

The final campaign of the Civil War began in Virginia when Union troops under General Ulysses S. Grant moved against the Confederate trenches around Petersburg. General Robert E. Lee’s outnumbered Rebels were soon forced to evacuate the city.

1929: Telephone installed in Oval Office
President Herbert Hoover had a phone installed at his desk in the Oval Office of the White House.

US Capitol building on Capitol Hill in Washington DC which is the seat of the 1961: US ratifies the 23rd amendment
The 23rd Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified, thereby providing rights to the residents of Washington, D.C., to vote in presidential elections.


1974: First spacecraft reaches Mercury

Mariner 10, an unmanned U.S. space probe, was the first spacecraft to reach Mercury. Launched on Nov. 3, 1973, Mariner 10 flew by Mercury thrice between 1974 and 1975, taking detailed images of the planet.


2006: Hamas formally takes over the Palestinian government

A new government dominated by Islamist faction Hamas was sworn in by Palestinian Authority president Mahmud Abbas, the day after lawmakers overwhelmingly backed the new cabinet. 

FREE MARKET ECONOMY EXCEPT WHEN STATE CAPITALISM IS NEEDED
2009: White House ousts GM chief

Rick Wagoner, the chairman and chief executive of troubled auto giant General Motors (GM), resigned at the request of the Obama administration. 

THE BEGINNING OF THE END OF MS MAY
2017: UK begins the formal process of Brexit
British Prime Minister, Theresa May, signed the official letter to European Council President, Donald Tusk, invoking Article 50 and the United Kingdom's intention to leave the European Union.

Today In History March 29
GERMANY'S INVASION OF THE RHINELAND APPROVED, WWII ACTUALLY BEGINS 

1936: Hitler claims victory in a referendum
Adolf Hitler received 99% of the votes in a referendum to ratify Germany's illegal re-militarization and reoccupation of the Rhineland.

German occupation of the Rhineland - The National Archives

https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk › education › resources › german-occ...

On 7 March 1936 German troops marched into the Rhineland. This action was directly against the Treaty of Versailles which had laid out the terms which the ...

Hitler reoccupies the Rhineland, violating the Treaty of ...

https://www.history.com › this-day-in-history › hitler-reoccupies-the-rhinel...

... 1936 denounced the Locarno Pact and began remilitarizing of the Rhineland. ... In 1939, Hitler invaded Poland, leading to the outbreak of World War II in ...

Rhineland Invasion, March 1936 - Hitler's foreign policy ... - BBC

https://www.bbc.co.uk › bitesize › guides › revision

In 1936, Hitler boldly marched 22,000 German troops into the Rhineland, in a direct contravention of the Treaty of Versailles. Hitler offered France and Britain a 25 ...

Nazis March into the Rhineland - The History Place

https://www.historyplace.com › worldwar2 › triumph › tr-rhine

Below: Saturday, March 7, 1936 - German Army troops cross a bridge over the Rhine River and enter the Rhineland - for the first time since the end of World War ...

Battle of the Rhineland | The Canadian Encyclopedia

https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca › article › battle-of-the-rhineland

The Battle of the Rhineland 8 Feb-10 Mar 1945, was fought by the FIRST CANADIAN ARMY (with XXX British Corps under command) and Ninth US Army while ...

Today in History: March 29
AMERICA'S IGNOMINIOUS DEFEAT IN VIET NAM WAR
1971: Lt. William Calley convicted of My Lai murders
1973: US troops withdraw from South Vietnam

 Lt. William Calley arrives at a pre-trial hearing prior to his court martial for his involvement in the My Lai massacre.© Bettmann/Getty Images
1971: Lt. William Calley convicted of My Lai murders
Army Lt. William L. Calley Jr. was convicted of murdering 22 Vietnamese civilians in the My Lai massacre. 

1973: US troops withdraw from South Vietnam
The last U.S. troops withdrew from South Vietnam following the Paris Peace Accords signed by North Vietnamese Foreign Minister Lê Đức Thọ and U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. This ended U.S.’ direct military involvement in the Vietnam War.

Today in History: March 29


1951: Rosenbergs convicted of espionage
Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were convicted of espionage for their role in passing atomic secrets to the Soviets during and after World War II. The husband and wife were later sentenced to death and were executed in 1953.

Execution of the Rosenbergs

"Enemies of Democracy"

Published onSat 20 Jun 1953 16.01 BST

Only a few minutes before, President Eisenhower had rejected a last desperate plea written in her cell by Ethel Rosenberg. Mr Emanuel Bloch, the couple's lawyer, personally took the note to the White House where guards turned him away.

Neither of the two said anything before they died. The news of their execution was announced at 1.43 a.m. (British time).

President's statement

New York, June 19

Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were executed in the electric chair at Sing Sing Prison tonight. Neither husband nor wife spoke before they died.

Julius Rosenberg, aged 35, was the first to die. They were executed just before the setting sun heralded the Jewish Sabbath. Prison officials had advanced the execution time to spare religious feelings.

Mrs Rosenberg turned just before she was placed in the electric chair, drew Mrs Evans, the prison matron towards her, and they kissed. The matron was visibly affected. She quickly turned and left the chamber. In the corridor outside Rabbi Irving Koslowe could be heard intoning the 23rd Psalm.

The couple were the first civilians in American history to be executed for espionage. They were sentenced to death on April 5, 1951, for passing on atomic secrets to Russia during the Second World War.

Eisenhower's statement

The last hope of reprieve for the Rosenbergs vanished early this afternoon when President Eisenhower rejected a final appeal for clemency shortly after the Supreme Court had set aside the stay of execution granted by Justice Douglas, one of its own members on Monday. The President's decision was announced in the following statement from the White House:

"Since the original review of proceedings in the Rosenberg case by the Supreme Court of the United States, the courts have considered numerous further proceedings challenging the Rosenbergs conviction and the sentencing involved. Within the last two days, the Supreme Court convened in a special session and reviewed a further point which one of the justices felt the Rosenbergs should have an opportunity to present. This morning the Supreme Court ruled that there was no substance to this point.

I am convinced that the only conclusion to be drawn from the history of this case is that the Rosenbergs have received the benefits of every safeguard which American justice can provide. There is no question in my mind that their original trial and the long series of appeals constitute the fullest measure of justice and due process of law. Throughout the innumerable complications and technicalities of this case no Judge has ever expressed any doubt that they committed most serious acts of espionage.

Accordingly, only most extraordinary circumstances would warrant Executive intervention in the case. I am not unmindful of the fact that this case has aroused grave concern both here and abroad in the minds of serious people aside from the considerations of law. In this connection I can only say that, by immeasurably increasing the chances of atomic war, the Rosenbergs may have condemned to death tens of millions of innocent people all over the world. The execution of two human beings is a grave matter. But even graver is the thought of millions of dead, whose death may be directly attributable to what these spies have done.

When democracy's enemies have been judged guilty of a crime as horrible as that of which the Rosenbergs were convicted: when the legal processes of democracy have been marshalled to their maximum strength to protect the lives of convicted spies: when in their most solemn judgement the tribunals of the United States has adjudged them guilty and the sentence just. I will not intervene in this matter. "

"So much doubt"

President Eisenhower's decision came about half an hour after Mr Emanuel Bloch, the Rosenberg's chief lawyer, had addressed an impassioned appeal to him, declaring that the world would be shocked if the execution was carried out with, he said, so much doubt in the case. He demanded that the President should find himself time "to consider this serious matter" and argued that rejection of the clemency appeal would jeopardise the United State's relation with its allies. "Tens of millions throughout the world condemn the death sentence" he added. "For the sake of American tradition, prestige and influence I urge redress for the Rosenbergs."

Less than four hours before the execution, Mr Bloch announced the failure of yet another attempt to gain a stay - a separate plea to Justice Burton, one of nine members of the Supreme Court - to Reuter and British United Press.

Prime Minister asked to intercede

A deputation from a "Save the Rosenbergs" protest meeting held at Marble Arch, London last night, called at No.10 Downing Street where it was told the Prime Minister was at Chartwell. Members of the deputation, which was led by the Rev. Stanley Evans, then motored to Chartwell.

When they arrived in the lane outside Sir Winston's home, Mr Evans and Professor Bernal found about twenty supporters of the National Rosenberg Defence Committee. They had scribbled a note addressed "Dear P.M.," and asking the Prime Minister to appeal direct "to President Eisenhower over the Transatlantic telephone immediately." In reply they received a typewritten note saying: "It is not within my duty or my power to intervene in this matter. (Signed) Winston Churchill."

This reply was handed to the deputation at midnight, and the gates of Chartwell were closed for the night.

In London, fifty demonstrators who had earlier stated they intended to keep an all-night vigil at No.10 Downing Street found police had cordoned off both entrances by the time they arrived at 12.50 a.m.

At one o'clock this morning in Manchester a crowd of two hundred stood quietly outside the offices of the "Manchester Guardian" waiting for news of the Rosenberg executions.

The crowd stood in silence until the executions were announced at 1.45 a.m. The news was received in silence, and members of the crowd, most of them men, maintained a two minutes' silence for the Rosenbergs. Afterwards they moved off to the steps of the Royal Exchange in Cross Street where the meeting pledged itself to continue the fight to clear the name of the Rosenbergs and "to pin the blame where it rightly belongs."

A telegram sent earlier to the Queen had asked her to use her influence towards securing a reprieve.

the Rosenbergs - PBS

https://www.pbs.org › wgbh › nova › venona › inte_19440921

Ethel and Julius Rosenberg leave federal court following their indictment on espionage charges, August 23, 1950. Ruth Greenglass told Julius Rosenberg about ...

Why the Rosenbergs' Sons Eventually Admitted Their Father ...

https://www.history.com › news › rosenberg-sons-admit-father-julius-guilty

Jun 19, 2018 - His parents were none other than Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, and they were accused of being Russian spies who passed on secret ...

TELEVISION; Capturing the Rosenbergs - The New York Times

https://www.nytimes.com › 2004/06/13 › movies › television-capturing-the-r...

Jun 13, 2004 - ... Heir to an Execution: A Granddaughter's Story, HBO documentary film by Ivy Meeropol about her grandparents, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, ...

Watch Heir To An Execution: A Granddaughter's Story | Prime ...

https://www.amazon.com › Heir-Execution-Granddaughters-Ivy-Meeropol

 Rating: 3.7 - ‎128 reviews

Ivy Meeropol's grandparents were Ethel and Julius Rosenberg. This film is an ... I knew very little about the Rosenbergs before I saw this documentary. There are ...

The Rosenbergs

www.columbia.edu › ~lnp3 › mydocs › american_left › Rosenbergs

Two nights ago, HBO showed a documentary on the Rosenberg case. ... HEIR TO AN EXECUTION captures the personal story of the Rosenbergs, deftly setting ...

the Rosenbergs - PBS

https://www.pbs.org › wgbh › nova › venona › inte_19440921

Ethel and Julius Rosenberg leave federal court following their indictment on espionage charges, August 23, 1950. Ruth Greenglass told Julius Rosenberg about ...