Dave Boucher

USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee

Nazis may no longer receive Social Security benefits if a bill U.S. Rep. Diane Black is co-sponsoring becomes law.

Not, it's not a joke: an AP report in October noted that at least 38 of 66 suspected Nazis removed from the U.S. since 1979 kept their Social Security benefits, to the tune of more than $1 million.

"This legislation will cut off benefits to anyone stripped of U.S. citizenship—either voluntarily or by order of the federal government—related to their participation in Nazi crimes," Black, R-TN, said in a press statement.

"The legislation further ensures that, if the offenders are married, they are denied spousal benefits under Social Security as well. These human rights violators don't deserve one more dime from you and me."

The bill, known as the "No Social Security for Nazis Act," has bipartisan support. It notes media reports of the problem: after World War II, as many as 10,000 Nazis are believed to have come to the U.S. Many of them may have already received Social Security benefits, even after they were kicked out of the U.S. for being Nazis.

The legislation has many Democrat and Republican co-sponsors in the House and Senate, including Tennessee GOP Rep. Stephen Fincher. It would change immigration law so that anyone removed from the country "on grounds of participation in Nazi persecution" could no longer receive the benefits.

Reach Dave Boucher at 615-259-8892 and on Twitter @Dave_Boucher1.