Immigrants Add Value to Economy

We here a lot about how much illegal immigrants are costing our economy. But according to this article by Marisa Treviño, Oct. 17, 2008: Federal Immigration Policy . . . immigrants generate more for the economy than they take away in benefits.

"Nebraska's immigrant population jumped 33 percent from 2000 to 2006. In contrast, the native-born population only grew by less than 2 percent during the same time period.

Looking at 2006 data, the researchers found that immigrant spending in the state resulted in an estimated $1.6 billion output to the Nebraska economy. The spending generated between 11,000 and 12,000 jobs in the state.

Immigrants in Nebraska significantly contribute to the state's labor force with immigrants comprising 80.4 percent in meat processing -- the state's single largest industry and driving force for much of the state's economy.

These are the indisputable facts. What the researchers uncovered about how much immigrants actually take away from state coffers will be the real source of contention and dispute.

According to the report, the immigrant population contributed in 2006 about $154 million in the form of property, income, sales and gas tax revenue. Their costs to the government from food stamps, public assistance, health and educational expenses totaled $144.78 million.

In other words, the researchers found that the state's immigrants pay in about 7 percent more than what they use in government support. Also, if immigrants were removed from the state's labor force in key industries like meat processing or construction, the state's production would lose $13.5 billion.

Nebraska isn't alone. Another study set for release by New York City's Adelphi University Economics Professor Mariano Torras finds that in 2006 immigrants contributed $10.6 billion to the Long Island economy. Immigrants exercised $7.5 billion in buying power, helped create 82,000 new jobs, and even paid $2 billion more in taxes than they received in services. These are only two examples."

The same thing is true in the State of Washington. People shouldn't be misled into thinking that the presence of immigrants in Forks costs Forks people money. Instead, Forks economy is benefited by their presence. Their dollars flow into local businesses. The school funding is supported by their children's presence in our classrooms. Forks economy would collapse if they all went away tomorrow. Be careful what you wish for, folks.
~~marsha