Assertion:  Undocumented immigrants are a net drain on the U.S. economy because they use valuable resources and take public welfare.

 

Response:  This is not true, for several reasons.  First, undocumented immigrants are not eligible for any type of public assistance program.  They are only eligible for emergency medical care and schooling for children.  According to the Urban Institute, less than 1 percent of households headed by undocumented immigrants receive cash assistance (because of their U.S.-born children), while 5 percent of households headed by U.S.-born citizens do.

 

Further, studies demonstrate that immigrants (both legal and undocumented) pay more into the tax system than the benefits they receive.  The National Research Council estimated in 1997 that an immigrant pays each year $1800 more in taxes than he or she costs in benefits.

 

In addition, opposition studies do not take into account the purchasing power of immigrants (including the undocumented) or their contributions as they continue to

work over time (as well as their children.) 

 

As a general rule, undocumented immigrants do have a negative impact:  1) upon initial arrival in the United States, and 2) on state and local budgets, since their initial costs are born by these government levels. After two or three years in the work force, they become net contributors to the economy.