Co-Sponsorship Memo Details

2023-2024 Regular Session
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Remittance Fee on Illegal Immigrants in Pennsylvania
February 28, 2024 02:18 PM to All Senate Members
Circulated By
Photo of Senator Senator Doug Mastriano
Senator Doug Mastriano
R Senate District 33
Along With
Photo of Senator Sen. Chris Gebhard
Sen. Chris Gebhard
R Senate District 48
Memo
In the near future, we plan to introduce legislation to deter illegal immigration and generate significant new revenue for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program.

Our bill will impose a 10% fee on international remittances conducted by an illegal immigrant who sends money overseas through a money transfer licensee or agent.

An international remittance is a sum of money that is electronically sent out of the Pennsylvania economy and into the economies of international destinations. Illegal immigrants utilize remittances to send earnings back to their relatives or friends in a foreign country. Over $70 billion dollars is transferred from the United States to the economies of recipient nations on an annual basis.

Oklahoma enacted a 1% fee on remittances in 2014. The most recent tax report shows that the fee generated over $15 million in annual revenue for their state. Pennsylvania’s estimated illegal immigrant population is higher than Oklahoma’s and the revenue generated from a remittance fee here in PA would result in significantly more annual revenue.

Under our bill, the infusion of this annual revenue will be directed to the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program for the purpose of offering additional relief and enhancing the program for future expansion. 

We cannot stand idly by as illegal immigrants profit from breaking our nation’s laws. This legislation will be a commonsense solution to disincentivize illegal immigration and expand much needed property tax/rent relief to legal citizens in Pennsylvania. 

Please consider co-sponsoring this important legislation.

 
Legislation
Document - Introduced as SB 1170
Last updated on February 28, 2024 02:22 PM
Remittance Fee on Illegal Immigrants in Pennsylvania
February 28, 2024 02:18 PM to All Senate Members

Circulated By
MASTRIANO and GEBHARD

Memo
In the near future, we plan to introduce legislation to deter illegal immigration and generate significant new revenue for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program.

Our bill will impose a 10% fee on international remittances conducted by an illegal immigrant who sends money overseas through a money transfer licensee or agent.

An international remittance is a sum of money that is electronically sent out of the Pennsylvania economy and into the economies of international destinations. Illegal immigrants utilize remittances to send earnings back to their relatives or friends in a foreign country. Over $70 billion dollars is transferred from the United States to the economies of recipient nations on an annual basis.

Oklahoma enacted a 1% fee on remittances in 2014. The most recent tax report shows that the fee generated over $15 million in annual revenue for their state. Pennsylvania’s estimated illegal immigrant population is higher than Oklahoma’s and the revenue generated from a remittance fee here in PA would result in significantly more annual revenue.

Under our bill, the infusion of this annual revenue will be directed to the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program for the purpose of offering additional relief and enhancing the program for future expansion. 

We cannot stand idly by as illegal immigrants profit from breaking our nation’s laws. This legislation will be a commonsense solution to disincentivize illegal immigration and expand much needed property tax/rent relief to legal citizens in Pennsylvania. 

Please consider co-sponsoring this important legislation.

 

Document
Introduced as SB 1170

Last Updated
February 28, 2024 02:22 PM
Generated 03/24/2025 12:50 PM