Rebate excludes many taxpayers with foreign spouses

“They can file separately, though that may not necessarily be to their benefit”

When Maulit Shelat heard about the Bush administration's plan to pump up the economy by sending out stimulus checks, he sat down with his wife and drew up a list of priorities: first up, remodeling the bathroom.

But Shelat is married to a foreigner who still hasn't completed the often years-long process that allows her to apply for a Social Security number. Her not having that number makes even him ineligible for the tax rebate checks that started going out last week because they filed jointly. Read more

[US Citizen]

why do people expect instant results about immigration when it is clear that the US has its immigration laws just like any other country? If his wife has to wait for social security number, he should be grateful that she is even being given the privilege to apply in the first place, even if it takes a long time. Often people of other countries come to this country, and expect the US to bend to their rules. If they tried to pressure their own countries where they came from to do what they wanted, I am sure that they would end up in prison. Be grateful that your wife is here, instead of complaining that you will not receive your stimulus check. I am not anti-immigrant, but we all have to go by the rules.

[cayla99]

I don't understand this "years wait" for a social security number. When my husband immigrated here, it took less than 3 months. There have to be other issues that this article is not telling us about.

[Whitey]

easy---Buy American--Marry American--you won't have any problems then!

[Your DADDy]

Whitey wrote:

easy---Buy American--Marry American--you won't have any problems then!

Who has sold out here, i belive we are all immigrants except for the native indians. So when you say when you say "buy american" marry american you should research your roots and you will find that you are less american than a mexican.
"The term buy american is moranic to say because our own govermant allows all these issues to happen allowing imports and selling for cents on dollar & sqweezing on the american jobs and not making a big deal from immigration. People work with false social securty #'s by the millions. You think the goverment and coperations don't know. The coperations can pay less and make themselves more profitable,goverment is gaining social security dollars and tax dollars and allowing most of the earned income to be exported out of the country. If the dollar doesn't stay in the country how can we keep it circulating to stablize,take it away and whats in circulation decreases. So the govermant rasies taxes. Look a t gas prices who is really protecting this country?

[Anonymous]

His wife is pretty hot though.