The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) over the years has been championed by Republicans and Democrats alike. Even small-government proponent, President Ronald Reagan said that the program was "the best anti-poverty, the best pro-family, the best job creation measure to come out of Congress." For many working families the EITC has been an invaluable resource and one that's been necessary in a time of growing economic inequality. For more on the nuts-and-bolts of the EITC click here to read ITEP's Policy Brief.
The EITC is now a pawn in the current immigration debate. Even in the wake of reports from Oregon and Georgia estimating the taxes paid by undocumented immigrants, the Republican leadership in Congress is pushing to deny the federal Earned Income Tax Credit to undocumented workers-- even though these workers typically pay the same regressive payroll taxes that are most burdensome for other workers.
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities makes a powerful statement against this move.