.jpg)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Joseph Rendeiro
(202) 776-1566
jrendeiro@nclr.org
As Congress continues debate on a bill to extend unemployment benefits, several senators are pushing an amendment that would cut off access to the Child Tax Credit (CTC) for millions of children and their families. The proposal would eliminate the CTC for hardworking, taxpaying parents who file tax returns using an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). ITINs are commonly used by immigrants who lack a Social Security number so they can pay their share of income, Social Security and Medicare taxes. This amendment would disproportionately harm Latinos, including more than four million Hispanic children and their hardworking families who use their tax credits to help put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads.
“On the 50th anniversary of President Johnson’s speech declaring a war on poverty, it’s appalling that some in Congress are advocating for proposals that would throw millions of children further into poverty,” said Eric Rodriguez, Vice President of the Office of Research, Advocacy and Legislation at NCLR. “These senators are attempting to pit the unemployed and veterans against poor children—a fight that will have no winners. This ill-conceived proposal essentially wages war on the impoverished, who would face greater hunger and hardship should it be approved.”
“The Senate should find another solution and not cut an effective tool for reducing child poverty,” added Rodriguez. “Hispanic voters are closely watching how this debate unfolds and will not stand for an attack on their children and the most vulnerable in the Latino community.”
###