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U.S. Citizens Married to Undocumented Spouses Sue Government For Not Receiving Stimulus Checks

Posted by Hugo Valverde | Jun 05, 2020 | 50 Comments

Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay

At Valverde Law, we believe a U.S. citizen is no less a U.S. citizen and entitled to all rights and benefits under the law, even if married to an undocumented spouse.  An estimated 16.7 million people live in mixed immigration-status households, meaning they have a spouse or a dependent who is an undocumented immigrant. 

None of those households were able to receive the $1,200 stimulus check given by the federal government after the CARES Act was passed. 

Now, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund is suing the Trump Administration on behalf of six plaintiffs who argue that the Cares Act discriminates against mixed-status couples because it treats them differently than other married couples, in violation of the U.S. Constitution's Fifth Amendment guarantees of equal protection and due process.”

Advocates from Georgetown Law and Villanova Law also filed a class action lawsuit in Maryland federal court on Wednesday challenging the CARES Act on behalf of seven US citizen children of unauthorized immigrant taxpayers

So why haven't some U.S citizens received their stimulus checks?

The Cares Act excludes those in mixed immigration-status households, where tax filers or their children may use what's called an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). Unauthorized immigrants do not have social security numbers, so the government gives them ITINs so they can pay taxes, which has always confounded many. Why does the government say you cannot work illegally but at the same time say if you do work illegally you must pay taxes with an ITIN?

Undocumented immigrants pay an estimated collective 

$11.74 billion to state and federal taxes each year. Yet even with this massive contribution to taxes, under the Cares Act, if anyone in a household used an ITIN – either a spouse or dependent child – no one in the household qualified for a stimulus check unless one spouse served in the military in 2019. 

Most married couples file taxes jointly because of the tax benefits, but in this case couples with mixed-immigration statuses had no idea that filing taxes jointly last year would exclude them from benefits that the rest of the country has been receiving. Many mixed status families in Virginia Beach and the surrounding Hampton Roads area have been affected by this exclusion and did not receive the much needed stimulus checks distributed by the government. 

Lawyers representing these lawsuits argue that by excluding people with ITIN numbers from the stimulus checks, the government is punishing U.S. citizens and depriving them of fundamental constitutional rights. 

The Cares Act was passed by Congress rather quickly, and it appears that some members of Congress were not even aware of the way that it excluded mixed immigration-status families. Senator Marco Rubio (R – FL) told Telemundo last week that he was unaware that U.S. citizens married to undocumented immigrants were denied assistance. Rubio said that he would like to intervene, and stated that Somebody doesn't lose their citizenship or their rights as a citizen because they're married to somebody who doesn't have documents.”  We fully agree with Senator Rubio's common-sense assessment.

We will be watching closely to see who the next coronavirus relief package includes, and does not include, and will be updating you as to the status of these lawsuits.

For some options on what you can do if you did not receive a check, read out our follow up post here.  To connect with others affected by this issue, you may want to join "Mixed Status Families United," a Facebook group whose members are that covers of many of today's lawsuits fighting against the discrimination in the CARES Act, and working on current resolutions for future relief. You can visit the Facebook group here

About the Author

Hugo Valverde

Hugo's passion for immigration law stems from his own family's immigration experience. His father and mother came to the United States from Peru fleeing political persecution, and as he grew up, Hugo spent many summers in Peru. Hugo uses his experience growing up in an immigrant family and time a...

Comments

Alison Galan Reply

Posted Jun 29, 2020 at 08:43:12

I would love an update on this. I am one of those families. Me and my 2 eligible kids were denied and both me and my husband have been out of work Because of COVID-19.

Hugo Valverde Reply

Posted Jun 29, 2020 at 09:51:02

Hi Alison, thank you for visiting our site. I am sorry to hear about your situation. We know several families that also did not receive their stimulus checks, which we believe was an unfair discrimination against US citizens. We will be posting an update on this topic soon.

Hugo Valverde Reply

Posted Jul 08, 2020 at 08:17:56

Alex, thank you for sharing your story. It is an example of how law abiding individuals such as yourself were wrongfully excluded.

Hugo Valverde Reply

Posted Jul 08, 2020 at 08:18:41

Rubens, we will be posting a follow up with a few options soon.

Hugo Valverde Reply

Posted Jul 08, 2020 at 08:21:06

Criatina, we agree it is unfair for you and your daughter to be excluded from receiving this much needed assistance. We will be posting a follow up soon regarding some options you could take.

Tyler Myers Reply

Posted Jul 08, 2020 at 11:12:22

As a tax paying American citizen, I was ineligible for the stimulus due to who I chose to marry. My partner has a ITIN and pays taxes but was also excluded from any stimulus payment. Seems wrong for anyone paying taxes to be excluded but especially Americans that were born and raised her in the states.

Hugo Valverde Reply

Posted Jul 09, 2020 at 07:02:06

Hello Tyler,

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. We agree with you that it is wrong for the government to have excluded you just because of whom you love. We will be following up shortly with another post on this topic.

Anastasia Campos Reply

Posted Jul 10, 2020 at 04:08:52

Please direct your guests to a Facebook page named “Mixed Status Families United”. We are the covers of many of today’s lawsuits fighting against the discrimination in the CARES act and working on current resolutions for future relief. https://www.facebook.com/groups/254478795952515/?ref=share

Hugo Valverde Reply

Posted Jul 13, 2020 at 09:04:18

Hi Anastasia,

We have directed readers to the facebook group. Also check out our follow up post: https://www.valverdelaw.com/what-can-i-do-if-i-didnt-get-my-stimulus-check-because-of-my-family-members—-immigration-status

Jessika Reply

Posted Jul 21, 2020 at 06:55:32

Hi Hugo,

What can I do if my husband came in January 2020 as a green card holder, but we used his Itin number to file taxes on January and he got his Social Security card in March? Non of us received stimulus check because the IRS only followed taxes information, not actual legal status and SS number.

Thank you in advance

Karisma Reyes Reply

Posted Jul 29, 2020 at 12:32:28

Does anyone have an update on this topic? Although I went ahead and didn’t filed jointly for 2019, i still didn’t received a stimulus check.
Not sure if this will affect us somehow but. Anyways, are the rules still the same? Do US citizens married to illegal immigrants get the second stimulus or not?

Rod Reply

Posted Aug 03, 2020 at 22:48:09

My wife is not even undocumented. She has received her 10 year greencard but since last year before her immigration case was finalized, we filed taxes jointly with her ITIN, this year we submitted a request to the ITIN issuing office of the IRS in San Antonio, TX to substitute her SSN for her ITIN (or merge/ combine the two numbers) so we can file our 2019 taxes properly. It has been 5 months that we haven’t heard back from IRS. They are or have supposedly been shut down due to COVID-19; not only we none of us is getting the stimulus check, we cannot even file our last year’s taxes. Its as if we do not exist! This is just not right. What are my options?

marie Reply

Posted Aug 05, 2020 at 11:43:42

i want to join that law suit, im perment resident and 2 kiz are us citizen.husband doent have legal document . i need stimulus check at least 3of us

Rhonda Enriquez Reply

Posted Aug 06, 2020 at 19:51:23

Hi. My 2 children and myself who are all 3 born in the United States didn’t receive the stimulus check as well. My husband who is a Mexican citizen has been trying for years to go through the process and now because of the Covid19 we have been placed on hold for his appointment. We file taxes every year and do the “American Way” just to be treated like a 2nd class citizen. This isn’t fair, we deserve the check as well as anyone else. Me and my husband both are out of a job due to covid19 and that is totally out of our control. How could anyone be so cruel to deny us of money just because I love an “illegal” and my childrens blood is mixed?! Pathetic excuses of people, that is for sure!!!!!

Hugo Valverde Reply

Posted Aug 10, 2020 at 13:10:57

Rhonda, thank you for sharing your thoughts and are sorry how your family has been impacted by the pandemic. We agree that it is completely unfair to deny your benefits, especially now during the pandemic when so many Americans need it most. You may also check out our follow up post to this topic https://www.valverdelaw.com/what-can-i-do-if-i-didnt-get-my-stimulus-check-because-of-my-family-members—-immigration-status

Hugo Valverde Reply

Posted Aug 10, 2020 at 13:11:45

Hello Marie, thank you for your interest in our post. For more information on the class action lawsuit visit our follow up post: https://www.valverdelaw.com/what-can-i-do-if-i-didnt-get-my-stimulus-check-because-of-my-family-members—-immigration-status

Hugo Valverde Reply

Posted Aug 10, 2020 at 13:13:06

Hello Rod, that must be terribly frustrating. It is not right. For some options on what you can do see our follow up post: https://www.valverdelaw.com/what-can-i-do-if-i-didnt-get-my-stimulus-check-because-of-my-family-members—-immigration-status

Hugo Valverde Reply

Posted Aug 10, 2020 at 13:14:21

Hi Jeremy,

Thank you for your service to our country, and we agree with you that it is a slap in the face to American citizens, especially those such as yourself.

Hugo Valverde Reply

Posted Aug 10, 2020 at 13:17:15

Hello thank you for sharing your thoughts and frustrations. We agree that is completely unfair to deny US citizens such as yourselves the needed funds that other US citizens received.

Hugo Valverde Reply

Posted Aug 10, 2020 at 13:17:46

Hi Karisma, please see our follow up post: https://www.valverdelaw.com/what-can-i-do-if-i-didnt-get-my-stimulus-check-because-of-my-family-members—-immigration-status

Brint Furbert Reply

Posted Aug 11, 2020 at 17:04:43

I see I’m not the only one…I was only working part time for an essential business. My wife has a ITIN number but doesnt work illegally. I’m an American citizen, still no stimulus check.

Daniel Boucher Reply

Posted Sep 10, 2020 at 05:51:04

What is the status of the lawsuit filed on behalf of spouses of undocumented immigrants with ITIN numbers ? If my spouse received a social security number in June can he now receive a stimulus check previously denied ?

John Hart Reply

Posted Sep 10, 2020 at 10:59:26

How do we join lawsuit?

Deborah Gomez Reply

Posted Sep 12, 2020 at 12:46:23

I also am a tax paying citizen who was left out because my husband is not a citizen. I have three children that are my responsibility. What an injustice this was to us. We suffered because of it. Shame on those that deprived us of this benefit. Please keep me updated as to the status.

Hugo Valverde Reply

Posted Sep 14, 2020 at 09:19:22

Deborah, we are sorry that your family was unfairly denied this needed benefit. The MALDEF litigation is presently pending and we suggest following our blog to stay up to date on the latest developments.

Hugo Valverde Reply

Posted Sep 14, 2020 at 09:20:31

Hello Mr. Hart, for more information on joining the lawsuit see https://www.valverdelaw.com/what-can-i-do-if-i-didnt-get-my-stimulus-check-because-of-my-family-members—-immigration-status

Hugo Valverde Reply

Posted Sep 14, 2020 at 09:20:48

Hello Daniel, please see https://www.valverdelaw.com/what-can-i-do-if-i-didnt-get-my-stimulus-check-because-of-my-family-members—-immigration-status

Hugo Valverde Reply

Posted Sep 14, 2020 at 09:22:56

Hello Brint, please see our post to see what you can do https://www.valverdelaw.com/what-can-i-do-if-i-didnt-get-my-stimulus-check-because-of-my-family-members—-immigration-status

Mary Reply

Posted Sep 16, 2020 at 13:44:36

Hi, thank you for posting on this. It is so sad how many have been negatively affected by this. The link you posted to join the class action suit did not work… any ideas? Thank you!

Hugo Valverde Reply

Posted Sep 17, 2020 at 06:33:29

Hi Mary, thanks for your comment. To join in the lawsuit one is already included automatically since it is a nationwide class action lawsuit. For more info see: https://www.maldef.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/FINAL-Amadorv.MnuchinQA-05.14.20-1.pdf

Christina Reply

Posted Oct 07, 2020 at 05:14:27

Keep me updated because I was also denied, due to my husband having an ITIN. Its not fair to my two girls and I.

Hugo Valverde Reply

Posted Oct 07, 2020 at 13:52:44

Cristina, we agree that it is not fair. Follow our blog to stay updated on the latest on this issue.

PAMELA VENCES Reply

Posted Oct 16, 2020 at 21:03:18

I am Married to an immigrant but me and my son are legal citizens . We do our taxes jointly .Why should my son and I be treated any differently then any other law abiding citizen because of my husband’s status. This is treating me and my family as second class citizens which is immoral to pick and choose on which days you want to qualify as a citizen .It’s an absolute shame and it is absurd to be treated this way when he has a itin and pays taxes in with it. How can I join the lawsuit

Leticia Reply

Posted Oct 27, 2020 at 11:18:09

Hello, I am also in the same situation as all of the people above. I am a US Citizen with 3 children and my spouse is also an immigrant and we filed our income taxes together last year. Can you please give an update on the case if its close or still a long way to go? This year has been so tight financially and this stimulus would help so much at this time.

Shane Reply

Posted Oct 31, 2020 at 02:40:37

How’s the progress coming? This has been going on for a while and there no coverage of what’s going on.

Juanita Anderson Reply

Posted Nov 11, 2020 at 12:19:06

I am a US Citizen and because my spouse…who does have a SSN did not have one in 2018 and an ITIN was used….I did not get a stimulus…was told I am disqualified because my spouse did not have a SSN in 2018 which is what was used to determine the eligibility for the 2020 Stimulus. Why did IRS not use the 2019? interesting way to cheat a law abiding citizen who works hard to stay ahead in these troubled times.

MARITZA LEON Reply

Posted Nov 11, 2020 at 12:29:09

I am an American Citizen married to my husband who had a ITIN number up until last year and I was denied my stimilus check. I have been working since the age of 16, This is so unfair!!

Hugo Valverde Reply

Posted Nov 11, 2020 at 13:08:05

Juanita, thank you for sharing your story. We believe that the government wrongfully denied US citizens benefits they were due.

Hugo Valverde Reply

Posted Nov 11, 2020 at 13:09:47

For the latest please see our post at https://www.valverdelaw.com/i-did-not-receive-a-stimulus-check-because-of-my-spouses-immigration-status-will-i-ever-receive-a-stimulus-check-and-will-i-get-one-in-the-2nd-round

Hugo Valverde Reply

Posted Nov 11, 2020 at 13:10:57

Leticia,

Thank you for sharing your story. Unfortunately, it does appear that it will take some time to resolve. For the latest see our post at https://www.valverdelaw.com/i-did-not-receive-a-stimulus-check-because-of-my-spouses-immigration-status-will-i-ever-receive-a-stimulus-check-and-will-i-get-one-in-the-2nd-round

Hugo Valverde Reply

Posted Nov 11, 2020 at 13:12:01

Pamela, thank you for sharing your story here. What we find so unjust is that the government is punishing families for trying to do the right thing and pay their taxes.

Alight Reply

Posted Dec 20, 2020 at 16:33:43

Also got excluded because I was told to file jointly with scottish spouse as part of his green card filing. I would love updated because I for the life of me do not understand how I deserve no aid due to my spouse not having a ssn yet.

Jennifer Reply

Posted Dec 21, 2020 at 18:02:10

Single mom, 2 kids, husband denied green card and I filed separately and still was denied my Stimiulus..so sad for me and my kids. I have paid taxes and lived here my whole life.

Stefano Mendoza Reply

Posted Dec 22, 2020 at 10:55:00

Hello, I’m a resident and my son is a citizen. My wife doesn’t have legal papers yet and we were excluded for the first round on stimulus check. Will I get this second round of stimulus check?
Thank you!

Hugo Valverde Reply

Posted Dec 22, 2020 at 12:09:43

Hello, based on what I am seeing on the new recently approved bill yes you will get a check in this round.

Jeremy Crawford Reply

Posted Dec 28, 2020 at 17:41:53

We were excluded. My spouse’s interview in Honduras was postponed due to Covid. Meanwhile, I have been paying taxes for 31 years and since we are married filing jointly, we were intentionally excluded. Extremely frustrating.

Susan Reply

Posted Dec 31, 2020 at 10:28:12

I reside in California, but am in the same situation. Is there a group in California that can help us. Thank you. We desperate out here.

David Rebovich Reply

Posted Jan 06, 2021 at 07:39:58

Well, when I checked the where’s my payment, it says the same thing as last time. I and my 3 daughters still did not receive this stimulus, just like the last one. So sad to punish people, especially when we filed for her residency and that too got put on hold.

Cheryl Reply

Posted Jan 19, 2021 at 06:27:27

This is so frustrating!! I’m begging on my rent, just married my ITIN using husband, had a baby during the pandemic, and we also have a five year old daughter that I’ve had no other choice but to homeschool!! Because of Covid-19 we were severely impacted financially. My husband works in a meat processing facility and considered a front line worker. He’s putting his life on the line everyday to provide for his family. I cannot understand why on earth me and our two girls aren’t getting the help we so desperately need from the government. It’s so upsetting. If we were to receive a stimulus check I wouldn’t have to worry about this pending eviction over my head. I wish there was some kind of help for my family and I. I’ve applied to two grants and still waiting. I am so saddened by it all

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