Immigrants Struggle with Paying Federal Taxes
By Caitlin Clinard

Although the federal government doesn’t allow undocumented immigrants to work, it still requires them to pay taxes. But they have to get an ITIN number to pay them.

Oscar Balderas got his number and began working five years ago. Many immigrants don’t have one because they don’t plan to stay in the country long enough to be caught by the IRS. But Balderas thinks it’s important to pay taxes, especially if you want to apply for citizenship at some point.

“That can help address other people because you won’t be under the table. You can be on the table living with the rest of the people,” he said.

Social Security is taken out of many undocumented immigrants’ paychecks and it’s unlikely they’ll get that money back.