According to the latest
study by the non-partisan Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) Illegal aliens are costing US taxpayers $10 billion per year in government services than they paid in taxes in 2002.
The study also finds that an amnesty for illegal aliens would nearly triple that cost to $29 billion per year. The reason for the tripling is quite logical as the CIS finds in its study.
Amnesty increases costs because illegals would still be largely unskilled, and thus their tax payments would continue to be very modest, but once legalized they would be able to access many more government services.
The
Washington Post recently covered the findings.
"Households headed by illegal aliens imposed more than $26.3 billion in costs on the federal government in 2002 and paid only $16 billion in taxes, creating a net fiscal deficit of $10.4 billion, or $2,700 per illegal household," said Steven A. Camarota, author of the study.
The costs outlined in the report include government services such as Medicaid, medical treatment for the uninsured, food assistance programs, the federal prison and court systems, and federal aid to schools.
...
Camarota concluded in his report that the fiscal impact could be lessened only by stringently enforcing immigration laws, a view that drew criticism from some immigration specialists and advocacy groups that also accused him of not coming up with constructive recommendations.
So, basically the advocacy groups are basically saying the best way to deal with the situation is to
not strictly enforce immigration laws? That is ridiculous. Both parties continue to go on and on about how the system needs reform, but no one is stepping up to the plate on the issue, especially in this political season with elections right around the corner.
There are other immigration issues heading to congress as well that directly affect every person living in the US and paying for Social Security. The "totalization" agreement, as it's called, is an agreement between Mexico and the US would allow illegal aliens from Mexico to apply for Social Security benefits. From Numbers USA:
The pending "totalization" agreement between the U.S. and Mexico would allow illegal aliens from Mexico to apply for Social Security benefits. This would be a further enticement for additional illegal immigration and would further weaken the Social Security fund.
In this time of discussion on reform of the Social Security system there are those actually wanting to extend these benefits to individuals that have not contributed and are not US citizens. Aren't you outraged by this? I don't see how you couldn't be. Take a look at that FICA line on your pay-stubs and tell me this doesn't directly effect you. Do you want it to go up even higher to support people not even paying into it?
There is something you can do if you are against amnesty, the "totalization" agreement and numerous other immigration issues, and that is to let your voice be heard! How can you do this? Well write your congressperson. No, it's not hard to do these days. As a matter of fact if you head on over to Numbers USA they will tell you who your congressperson and senators are, help you quickly draft a fax on a number of issues and fax it for you for free! For free! There is absolutely no reason for you not to head over there and do it now if you feel strongly that the immigration system is out of hand and that things need to be changed. Even if you've never acted before by writing your congressperson you know that this "totalization" agreement is totally wrong. Let your voice be heard and do it now!
Numbers USA
Update:
Other Blogging I've found (which was surprising hard):
Brothers Judd
The Remedy has this to say:
More than $10 billion. And that is just in terms of federal expenditures, not including mounting costs to state and local governments, nor taking into consideration the effects upon the American character caused by waves of law-breaking immigrants.
Alpha Patriot
Lone Wacko
