GOP targets child tax break for illegal immigrants

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans are looking to stop illegal immigrants from claiming federal child tax credits, including refund checks averaging $1,800. It's an effort that has roused anger among Hispanics and some Democratic lawmakers.

The proposal would require people who claim the credit to have Social Security numbers as proof that they're legal workers. It's being offered as a way to help pay for extending the Social Security tax cut for most American wage-earners.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada says the proposal unfairly goes after the children of poor Hispanic workers. Such kids often are U.S. citizens because they were born in this country. On the other side, Republicans and some Democrats say it's silly to even debate whether the government should be cutting checks to illegal immigrants.