Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano delivers remarks on
the Obama administration's efforts to reform the U.S. immigration
system (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Studies released this week by the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), document the costs of illegal aliens in Maryland, and also reveal voter sentiments to the burdens placed on them by illegal immigration.
One study found that the price tag associated with providing education, health care and incarceration of illegal aliens in Maryland is approximately $1.3 billion per year.
According to FAIR, Maryland taxpayers pay the following break down in costs associated with illegal aliens:
$ 1.1 billion a year to educate illegal alien children, and their U.S. born children;
$ 167 million a year on unreimbursed health care for illegal aliens;
$ 29 million a year to incarcerate criminal illegal aliens;
$ 625 is the total cost to each of Maryland's households.
The cost study is based on an estimate that the illegal alien population in Maryland is now 250,000 persons. The illegal alien population of Maryland has grown exponentially during this decade, nearly quadrupling since 2000.
In a separate report, FAIR examined the impact of immigration in local schools in Prince George's County. Due to large-scale legal and illegal immigration, the county has seen its non-English student population grow from 7,064 in 2004 to 13,825 today. Programs to teach students English cost the county more than $66 million a year.
A new Pulse Opinion Research poll of 1,000 likely voters across the state found that, by a large margin, Marylanders believe that illegal immigration is harming the state. The Pulse Opinion Research poll found that:
73% of Maryland voters say illegal immigration has a negative impact on the state. 20% believe it has a positive impact on Maryland.
77% of Maryland voters believe illegal aliens have a negative impact on the state budget, versus 15% who believe their impact is positive.
65% of Maryland voters believe that illegal immigration harms the state's schools. 18% believe illegal aliens have a beneficial effect on education.
55% believe illegal immigration should be reduced through better enforcement of immigration laws. 36% of Maryland voters favor amnesty or legalization for current illegal aliens.
According to Dan Stein, President of the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) "The failure of government at all levels to institute and enforce sensible immigration policies is costing Marylanders jobs, billions in tax dollars, and their children the opportunity to get the quality education they need and deserve. At a time when state lawmakers are slashing budgets, spending on illegal immigrants in Maryland continues to rise over the strong objection of voters."
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