Projects a $61.5 Billion a Year Local Price Tag by 2010
Washington, D.C.—If an illegal alien amnesty and guest worker program similar to the one being contemplated by the United States Senate and supported by President Bush were enacted, the cost burden to state and local governments would be staggering, projects an analysis by the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR). FAIR estimates that state and local costs associated with illegal immigration for public education, health care and incarceration, now about $36 billion a year, would balloon to $61.5 billion by 2010 a 70 percent increase and increase to $106.3 billion by 2020.
As a result of an amnesty and a vastly expanded guest worker program, millions of current illegal aliens would gain legal access to government programs and services. Moreover, newly legalized aliens would be allowed to bring their dependents to this country, adding to the burdens on schools and public health care.
2006-09-22 05:14:17 · 17 answers · asked by Yakuza 7 in Politics & Government ➔ Immigration
Similarly, state and local governments would have to provide for the education and health care of the dependents of the 400,000 new guest workers called for in the Senate proposal.
Contrary to claims by proponents of amnesty, the tax contributions of newly legalized illegal aliens would not offset the additional costs. The estimated 12 million illegal aliens in the U.S. are overwhelmingly poorly educated and low skilled. Even with legalization, their earning potential would be very limited. With the ability to legitimately claim dependents on their returns, their tax contributions would be negligible at best, and with programs like the Earned Income Tax Credit, many will actually get more back than they pay in.
“From every possible angle, an illegal alien amnesty and guest worker program would be a fiscal and administrative nightmare,” said Dan Stein, president of FAIR. “Never mind the fact that an illegal alien amnesty is a moral betrayal of the American public and immigrants
2006-09-22 05:16:20 · update #1
I see and understand that the costs would be staggering. what I can't understand is why we legal and naturalized citizens would even allow our government to think of legalization for illegal criminals. We have all the laws on the books and we don't enforce the ones we have. Lets enforce them first before we think about amnesty... This whole issue is crazy. We have to protect our boarders not by opening the gates but by enforcing out current laws and regulations and have the law enforcement part of the government really enforce all the laws. This is one of the most cricitcal issues in our nations problems list today.
2006-09-22 05:30:47 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think they should stick a fork in amnesty, and declare it 'done' until about maybe 5 years from now. Have better control of our borders, shut down employers of illegals, keep all that going for a couple years, then, then, 5 years down the road, think about awarding amnesty to anyone that might be left. I think 95% of the illegals would go home and seek work there, if they couldn't scratch a hole in our economy...we need good borders, and no more international crime. Our country is trillions in debt because of too many years of failing to come to so much as a decision on immigration and other issues. Failing to plan is the same as planning to fail...
2006-09-22 05:30:41 · answer #2 · answered by gokart121 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The cost of amnesty would be a large gain for America. Not only would America be able to receive all of that money from the immigration fee's (cost to apply for green card and work permit with fines paid - $5000+ per person x 13 million), but each state receives a crazy amount of money on behalf of the immigrants.
The benefits of immigrants, in Arizona alone for the year 2002.
Arizona gets $8 billion dollars in economic impact annually from their relationship with Mexico. That is profit, not costs. Mexico makes $5.5 billion. Mexican immigrants paid nearly $600 million in federal taxes and sales taxes in 2002. Mexican immigrants use about $250 million in social services such as Medicaid and food stamps, and another $31 million in uncompensated health care.
That leaves a profit of $319 million.
The average annual wage for Arizonans is $28,355; for the states Mexican immigrants it's $12,963, yet the total buying power of Arizona's Mexican immigrants is estimated at $4.18 billion
The states Mexican immigrants spend an estimated $1.5 billion in mortgage payments and rent annually.
Remittances from the state's Mexican immigrants to their homeland reached $486 million last year, with those transactions generating $57 million in fees to Arizona's banks and financial institutions.
2006-09-22 11:24:32 · answer #3 · answered by jensantosleon 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The prsice of amnesty would be our current freedom and the American way as we know it, due to the simple fact that people would have to work hard at becoming a citizen. That which is given for free has less value than that which has been worked for.
2006-09-22 05:27:44 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Okay... first you complain about the fact that ("illegals") don't pay taxes and take advantage of government programs.
If they are "legal" then they would have to pay taxes, have a legitimate income, which then, could take them out of the range to qualify for government programs… so what is it?
Like I’ve said before, my husband took advantage of the Amnesty Program over 20 years ago... he pays enough JUST IN TAXES ALONE to support a middle class family for a year (in California)… no one is providing us with healthcare, we pay over $500 a month, not to mention "out of pocket" expenses, no one is providing our 3 children with a “free” education, ... NOTHING IS FREE or handed to us.
"Every possible angle..." yea right!
I'm an "American" and I don't or won't feel betrayed.
2006-09-22 05:54:07 · answer #5 · answered by Twynnone 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
You dont need to look at all the analysis. 16%percent of population,(illegals)-and 72% of consumption of social program dollars. circa 2005- it would cause hyper inflation (see weimar republick) and ultimately (and unavoidably) the collapse of our economic system as the fed tried to print its way out of the massive debt that would result.
2006-09-22 06:28:53 · answer #6 · answered by douglas w 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You could be right, but our President has it all worked out. He had a 2, 5 and 12 year plan and path to citizenship. Remember? He wouldn't support something so costly. It could break the budget! Bush is a fiscal conservative. So you must be wrong.
2006-09-22 05:15:59 · answer #7 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 3⤋
A lot less than deportation,.
Plus, noone is offering amnesty. Paying a fine and all back taxes by those who havent'd paid them yet, staying here to work for you retirement will add and add and add.
Without immigrants your agriculture is dead.
Why can't people who've worked hard many years, paid taxes and did no harm whatsoever not be given citizenship? We desreve it more than you, who got it for just being popped out here!
You forget sth: how will the immigrants be a burden if they all pay taxes?
Your propaganda has no logic to support it. Economists have already analyzed the outcome of legalization and it's positive on the long run.
2006-09-22 05:23:08 · answer #8 · answered by bunt 3 · 1⤊ 6⤋
About 8 dollars an hour.
2006-09-22 05:20:14 · answer #9 · answered by Edward K 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I have waited 9 years for a legal entry for my stepson, they do this amnesty and I support Osama because they would have shown me 100% that neither party gives a damn for real Americans. THus it is no longer worthy of my support and we need to burn it all down and start over.
2006-09-22 05:18:40 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋