Hon Secretary ELON MUSK
Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)
CC:
Co-Chairman Aaron Bean, Co-Chairman Pete Sessions, Co-Chairman Blake Moore
Summary: Proposes technical studies for the development of federal legislation or executive measures that establish in the United States a permanent fee of 30% on all individual international remittances above 200 USD per month. The revenue generated from this measure should be allocated to the ICE and other internal security agencies, to be applied in operations concerning detention, intelligence, custody, prosecution, and deportation, as well as in salary bonuses for law enforcement agents.
URGENT – March 1st, 2025
Dear Secretary Musk,
Inspired by an accurate reading of reality and the awareness of the responsibilities inherent to citizenship, the proposition presented here is supported by undeniable practicality and historical reasoning, with robust solidity and legitimacy.
In addition to being the most financially powerful man on the planet, you are essential for the realization of President Trump’s MAGA dreams, for the happiness of the American people, both to reduce unnecessary expenses and increase revenue. I request you to please share this humble patriotic suggestion with our President.
It is a fact that much of the money sent abroad in personal remittances originates from illegal activities, as a large proportion of immigrants lack a permit to work in the United States.
The Inter-American Dialogue reports a 26% increase in the value of personal remittances sent by foreign residents in the United States, since it surpassed $134.4 billion in 2021. A reasonable projection suggests that this amount today could easily exceed $200 billion.
Nothing would be fairer than taxing personal remittances and using these funds to improve the training of our agents, provide them with better equipment, and financially compensate thousands of public servants who perform commendable duties under significant risk and sacrifice, receiving insufficient remuneration for their efforts.
Tax evasion seems to be in the DNA of people from less developed cultures, where both citizens and their representatives prioritize individual interests over collective aspirations. This explains why nations with immense developmental potential remain trapped in chronic poverty for centuries.
Although some studies indicate that a significant portion of tax revenue derives from illegal labor, the amount of evaded taxes is presumably incalculable due to the volume of cash payments fueling the informal economy. This causes severe losses to the national tax system while underscoring the urgent need for adjustments to fiscal systems, ensuring they operate equitably, fairly, and sustainably at the federal, state, and local levels.
The concerning reality clearly illustrates how tax evasion affects people of various income levels, races, and ethnicities, impeding the fulfillment of our social needs.
Moreover, it is worth noting that the United States leads global rankings for fiscal evasion, meaning a staggering amount of wealth is being taken abroad.
Credible reports indicate that, worldwide, undocumented individuals moved over $831 billion in international remittances in 2022, much of which was earned by immigrants lacking authorization to work legally in the U.S.
It is essential to find ways to eliminate the current possibility of making international remittances without providing a Social Security Number (SSN) or Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), whether through wire transfers or transactions involving cards and cryptocurrencies. Some services allow money to be loaded onto prepaid debit cards, which can then be used in international transactions. For those familiar with digital currencies, sending cryptocurrencies abroad is an option that often does not require an SSN. A parallel challenge is to prevent local money transfer services from having different policies that allow transactions to be made without an SSN or TIN.
Advantages
A likely positive outcome of implementing the proposed measures would be that migration of poorly qualified individuals would be discouraged, as they are often motivated by the prospect of social benefits and earnings unavailable in their home countries—countries lacking investment in services and infrastructure due to government corruption. We have no reason to pay for the mismanagement and failures of other nations.
The culture from which these immigrants come often prioritizes personal gain over public welfare. Conversely, our society has an obligation to care for veterans who have fought for our freedom and peace. Many of them live without psychological or material support, and hundreds commit suicide. Pensioners face hardships, while our children are deprived of better services. It would therefore be reasonable to increase the taxes on international remittances to 30%, mitigating the losses accumulated over several decades.
The fact is that the vast majority of immigrants arrive in the U.S. without a desire to contribute to society and neither do they understand and respect our values. On the contrary, they bring criminality, harm the environment, and escalate violence, drug use, and other practices typical of underdeveloped societies, weakening us as a nation while creating a sense of collective insecurity and psychosocial unease. The worst part is that, after crossing our borders like starving rats, they dare claim they have built this country, although they arrived here to earn many times what they made in their home countries, and finding a fully established infrastructure ready for use. They are rewarded—and well rewarded—for their work.
For these reasons, I believe it is a matter of justice to establish a 30% tax on individual international remittances, in order to serve national interests.
I take this opportunity to express my gratitude for your potential consideration of this suggestion and to offer my full availability, hoping for the absolute success of your efforts to Make America Great Again.
Sincerely,
Samuel Sales (Saraiva)
U.S. Citizen – Journalist – Contact: E-mail: samuelsalessaraiva@gmail.com – Cell: 202 999 9078