The United States is a nation of immigrants which historically always had a liberal U.S. immigration policy. During the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries, immigration to the United States was essentially open, and, at times, immigrants were even recruited to come to America to help with the settlement of undeveloped areas of the country. Until the 1920’s, no numerical limits on immigration existed in America.
What happened? Racial theories based on junk science began to influence U.S. immigration policy. The U.S. House Judiciary Committee employed a eugenics consultant, Dr. Harry H. Laughlin, who asserted that certain races were inferior. Within a short time, the Immigration Act of 1924 set new numerical limits on immigration based on “national origin.” Taking effect in 1929, the law imposed annual immigration quotas for the first time, essentially closing the door to many immigrants.
The United States, a nation of immigrants, has continually been dependent on successive waves of immigration to grow it economy. It is in large part thanks to these immigrants that the United States has prospered over the past few centuries.
I am not an economist but I am an Irish immigrant who has owned and managed a landscaping company, a real estate company and presently, a law firm and it seems to me that this country needs a multifaceted solution to solve our current economic crisis and Immigration Reform could very well be part of that solution.
According to most calculations, twelve million illegal immigrants (12,000,000) reside in the United States. Assuming that a two thousand dollar ($2,000.00) application fee is charged to twelve million illegal immigrants (12,000,000) that would generate approximately twenty-four billion dollars ($24,000,000,000) from this one time application fee that could be used to stimulate the U.S. economy.
More importantly, the twelve million illegal immigrants (12,000,000) would now be paying taxes for the first time and assuming that each individual is taxed in the 15% tax bracket and earning an annual income of $25,000.00, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) would collect $3,750.00 per person which would amount to forty-five billion dollars ($45,000,000,000) per year in new taxes from these immigrants.
Immigration reform would stimulate the U.S. economy by generating sixty-nine billion dollars ($69,000,000,000) in application fees and taxes in the first year alone and forty-five billion dollars ($45,000,000,000) each year thereafter. Now that’s a stimulus package!
It goes without saying that Immigration Reform needs to be addressed immediately as an integral component of a strategic plan to resuscitate the stagnant US economy.
Comments
Great article. Simple to understand especially with you math. This will be easy enough for all the immigration reform naysayers to understand. In a time when money is tight any stimulation is a worthwhile effort, and immig reform does it and also repairs our broken immigration system.
Sounds like that's what we need!!
Question - aren't 7 million of these 12 million undocumented immigrants paying taxes already?
Besides - how many of 12 million undocumented are children? Do we even know?
But - I like this article and your simple math!
Stephen great report. I totally agree with you, this is an important reason to get CIR done. I have got a few more reasons, security, we don't know who is here and if the economy get better, we will see millions more crossing borders, imagine 40,000,000 of illegals immigrants, will be worst ah?
For those who are saying no, think about it, put aside hate and racism and use the brain.
This is what AMERICA NEEDS!!!
This is a bunch of non sense:)...I wanna keep on paying their medical, social services, public aid, kids education, etc. You ask why??????????????? becuase I have a good heart. I insist I really want ot pay for all their servies so lets keep them where they are. Dont make them legal and pay for their own. I insist.
Well thats sounds fair to me but we have to make sure that all the fees and taxes are paid ...If they agree to pay ,learn English and go in the back of the line I'm all for it !
they cost the us taxpayers way more than 45 billion every year.
$11 billion just in CA for birth of anchorbabies, foodstamps, welfare, education, esl education, free healthcare, incarceration, property damage, theft, murder, medical costs, costs to insured drivers when they ram us in their uninsured cars et cetera et cetera
America is build on immigration if the native Americans didnt let any one on their land, what would have been of this nation today. Tolerance though with caution becouse every body illigal or not have to eat, work legally or illigally so why not know where every body is and their identity>
A report to Congress estimated that it would cost 2.2 trillion within 20 years if illegal aliens were given amnesty due to the increased social security costs.
Are you ready to have your taxes tripled right now to pay for the illegal aliens?
Note, a recent Pew Poll among American born Latino youth found 52% consider themselves Mexican or another Latino nationality, not American or Mexican , etc - American.
Think about it.
Bettybb yes
Why limit the fee to $2,000.00? Up to the ante to $5,000.00 and make military service mandatory for able bodied immigrant.
OK, if we want to be nice and keep the illegals here, fine, just make them get photo and fingerprint IDs and start following the laws like the rest of us. An immigrant waiting in line for legal entry must never be put to the back of the line by someone who snuck into the US illegally.
Your proposal makes a joke of all our laws. Why have them is you don't follow them. Or sell out the country for a few billion in poorly calculated paper gains.
Or, we could
This article is just another liberal bunch of trash...and those who support it are still drinking the kool-aid. People in their right mind and having common sense must be laughing....once again
at the fansty ideology of liberalism.
Some of the above writers show just how ignorant they are about the subject of illegal alien foreign nationals, our federal immigration laws, illegal immigration costs,and the dangers to our sovereignity. Wake up people.
One big problem with this math! Illegal aliens currently cost US Taxpayers over $330Billion per year...that's $3.3Trillion over the past 10-years. Leglizing all thise illegal aliens is a net loss. It would be far cheaper to derpot all 12Million illegal aliens! Stimulate the ecpnomy by hiring more speacilaized police to identify, captyure and deport the illegal aliens.
YES YES and YES!!! G O IMMIGRATION REFORM GO!!!
It is long overdue. Our immigration system is broken, I support amnesty for all immigrants who are willing to learn English, pay taxes and live a honest and decent life in our country.
I fully agree with Estoban. Many of these immigrants do not have a car and since they will be able to get driver's licenses they will buy car and insurance. ONly there we will already have a boost for the economy.
This analysis is beyond ridiculous. It's obvious Mr. Dunne has little experience or knowledge of this issue.
Giving amnesty to 12-20 + million impoverished illegal aliens would harm, not help, the economy and taxpayers. This would grow the government & explode the welfare rolls, as illegals would be entitled to even more taxpayer-funded services.
This is why the Heritage Foundation estimated that if the flawed 2007 amnesty bill had passed, it would have imposed a net burden of at least $2.6 TRILLION on taxpayers.
Furthermore, with over 15 million Americans out of work, there are plenty of Americans who are willing and will do the lower wage jobs (which will help employers).
Finally, illegals send tens of billions annually out of the country in the form of remittances. Legalizing them wouldn't stop this.
Rather, if we enforce our existing immigration, the majority of illegals will return home over and the billions they suck from our economy will now stay in the U.S.
There are so many things wrong with this opinion piece -- so many of the same old false pro-amnesty talking points -- it's hard to know where to begin.
Yes, the U.S. is a nation of immigrants -- but NOT of illegal aliens. Every country has a right to control its borders, maintain laws against illegal entrances and visa overstays, and regulate the flow of legal immigration -- which the U.S. has not done properly for decades (at least since the flawed 1965 Immigration Act passed).
Yes, while immigrants haven't changed much (other than their origins), society and our economy have changed. We simply do NOT need large waves of unskilled immigrants anymore (legal or illegal).
Finally, Ted Kennedy assured the American people that the 1986 IRCA "comprehensive reform" amnesty would be the last. We intend to hold him to his promise.
Rather, it is time to finally enforce immigration laws -- as was promised 23 years ago.
Not all of the estimated 12 million are going to stay. Many will still be subject to removal. And of the remainder you still have a financial boost because many would be paying into the economy more than they already are. And I stress that they already are. As you know, taxes are withdrawn before you cash your check, which means that regardless of immigrantion status, if you earn an income you are already paying taxes. Social security, income tax, state tax, unemployment etc. And as a result of legal status almost none of these earners will ever get their money back. This country sure is full of a bunch of cry babies that think they understand the economics of immigration by misquoting what they hear on tv. If they stopped for a second to really look into just how much immigrants (legal or not) have already been contributing to the economy as a whole then it would be much easier to arrive at a comprehensive solution.
I completely agree with your article - our country is past due for immigration reform and this issue needs to be addressed immediately.
I fully support immigration reform. It's time to get it done.
examiner.com needs to institute a registration to post with password access as at least one troll is posting using my handle and that of Britaniccus, 4:28 PM and 4:31 PM. Trolls are cybercreeps intent on disrupting comment boards. Apparently they have no valid contributions to make. As to this article: With 8 million criminal illegal aliens holding American jobs by use of stolen and/or fraudulent documents and 15 million Americans actively looking for jobs to feed and shelter their families it would be an economic boost to the economy to deport them all. Mandatory use of E-Verify by all employers for present and new hires would reduce American unemployment drastically and illegal aliens will self deport by the millions.
Estoban, Brittanicus, Steve, we know that you'll are from Numbersusa, Fair org, that you'll sit here and post your hate about the undocumented, are anyone of you willing to show us , your I-90 so we know that you'll are paying taxes and not living freeloaders of our taxes? Do YOU'LL HAVE THE GUTS? At least we will know that you'll contribute to our nation?
WHAT DO YOU'LL TRULY DO FOR OUR NATION?? BESIDES SIT AND POST THESE UNFOUNDED ARTICLES??
How come every time I look on these comments - these minority groups (because they obviously are - the same names, the same comments) think by just posting hundreds of posts, people actually think that their opinion is of a larger American collective - they certainly are not.
I agree 100% with Immigration reform. Work the math? Deport 12 million people is just not going to happen - E-Verify everyone - What a load of crap - logisitics and error rate (take it from me a programmer) too many law suits. Then there are all the children that you are looking to remove - what right have you over them. All our forefathers got here illegally by scamming the Native Indians, so don't put the "we came here legally crap up". To all sane and productive listens, immigrants built this nation and the new waves always bring properity. Don't listen to small talk by right wing fools with no better things to do but spread ignorance- They are the minority - we all know it.
True, Tax them all no more freebies for anyone in America. Get them into system make them work hard and get taxes and fees from, they have had enough of free stuff. I totally agree with you. rather then sending money home they will start spending here and start buying houses and stuff....... good thought!
Why limit the fee to $2,000.00? Up to the ante to $5,000.00 and make military service mandatory for able bodied immigrant...... nicelt said... I guess $2000 is enough, they will never be able to pay $5000...and I agree military service for everyone below 30 ;)
This is it. Immigration Reform!
GET INVOLVED: Text JUSTICE to 69866.
INVOLÚCRATE: Envía la palabra JUSTICE al 69866 reformimmigrationforamerica.org
James are you in the military? I'm sure you don't have more than $2000.00 in your life savings
Steve weren't your ancestors considered illegal aliens or is that just a term you like to use when referring to Hispanics. Who's ignorant now? (Steve )
Darshan didn't your father come to this country to make money with a degree he earned from another country. Talk about taking jobs and a freebie.
Darshan didn't your father come to this country to make money with a degree he earned from another country. Talk about taking jobs and a freebie.
@ Funny
I won't post mine and don't you post yours. Identity theft by criminal illegal aliens is the fastest growing crime. In Utah 50,000 Soc. Sec. #s have been stolen from children per the state attorney general. By the way, I've worked 54 years doing those sweaty, dirty jobs stupid fools say Americans won't do. I'm a registered Independent, and can hardly watt for the 2010 elections.
@ Danny
Your comments are really funny. You should think about a career as a stand up comedian!
ESTOBAN YOU WROTE, "By the way, I've worked 54 years doing those sweaty, dirty jobs stupid fools say Americans won't do"
SO ACCORDING TO YOUR OWN WORDS YOU ADMIT THAT YOU ARE UNEDUCATED AND DID THESE LOW WAGE JOBS OF LAWN MOWING, FOOD PICKING AND CAR WASHING, GOOD FOR YOU, AS A AMERICAN CITIZEN YOU COULD GET EDUCATED AND HAVE A PROFESSION AND NOT WORRY ABOUT THE UNEDUCATED UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS TAKING YOUR LOW WAGE JOB.
ESTOBAN GET REAL, YOU THINK THAT EVERYONE IS A FOLLY LIKE YOU TO BELIEVE YOU, NOPE WERE WISER. YOU ARE A FREELOADER LIVING OFF OUR TAXES. I CANT WAIT FOR 2010 TO KICK OUT SOME MORE REDNECK RACISTS FROM OFFICE.
ALL ARE GODS CHILDREN.
@ Danny
Why are you shouting?
Honest hard work of any kind is respectable. However the employers that knowingly hire illegal aliens are criminals as are the illegal aliens that use stolen and/or fraudulent documents to obtain jobs, drivers licenses and other benefits. Do you feel that sweaty work is beneath you? It really isn't you know. A carpenter's job is as respectable as President Obama's.
I have a lot of experience on this immigration matter as a long member of the local KKK Chapter. White power!
This calculation is complete off!
Way off! First of all, most fees and fines will be waved; they will be subsidized by the taxpayer based on the illegal alien’s low earnings. Secondly, at least half the 12,000 number are children which will NOT be charged any fine or fee, therefore the $$$ calculations are not even close to reality in this very biased article.
"Way off! First of all, most fees and fines will be waved; they will be subsidized by the taxpayer based on the illegal alien’s low earnings."
you clearly have no clue of what you are saying. Where did you get that from? You can ask any immigrant who went through the legalization process and everyone will tell you the fees for adjustment of status are never waived based on income. How can you post such a LIE? Also when the last law was approved, (last year of Pres. Clinton), every illegal had to pay a fine of $1000 or leave the country and wait until he or she gets approved. Almost every immigrant I know preferred to pay the $1k fine because they didn't want to leave the US. GO READ SOME BOOKS and god bless Ted Kennedy. JERK!
I agree with the new reform, my mom getting paid 1600.00 a month had to pay 5000.00 dls for her application and other fees immigration charges oh and she has to pay fees every year until she becomes a permanent resident, USA really needs a reform, I am willing to be in the military and pay what ever fee they have in order to become legal, oohh and i do pay taxes every year, about time some one is doing something for us. and do not hate cause I never told my parent to bring me here, being here since I was 3 years old and do not want to go back to there is a lot of drug dealers, I am an American, my culture is American not Mexican. And please do not hate.
"Way off! First of all, most fees and fines will be waved; they will be subsidized by the taxpayer based on the illegal alien’s low earnings."
you clearly have no clue of what you are saying. Where did you get that from? You can ask any immigrant who went through the legalization process and everyone will tell you the fees for adjustment of status are never waived based on income. How can you post such a LIE? Also when the last law was approved, (last year of Pres. Clinton), every illegal had to pay a fine of $1000 or leave the country and wait until he or she gets approved. Almost every immigrant I know preferred to pay the $1k fine because they didn't want to leave the US. GO READ SOME BOOKS and god bless Ted Kennedy. JERK!
Dear usa1, please go to reformimmigrationforamerica.org/ and join the fight to pass reform next year. WE WILL NOT BE DEFECTED AGAIN. We need everyone who for it to raise their voice. Also join us on facebook reformimmigrationforamerica
Text JUSTICE to 69866 to receive updates and alerts in the fight for immigration reform.
You are absolutely nuts. Illegal immigration helped the economy decline. Yes, America has been and is a nation on immigrants. The quotas for legal immigration have worked to keep the nation diverse. Illegal immigration has hurt the diversity. Amercians want to keep their language and way of life. Illegal immigration from Mexico and central America has created an imbalance in diversity. Our language is being undermined, along with our way of living. A counrty is doomed if it has open borders. Failure of politicians and federal officials to enforce immigraton laws have done great harm to our country. Immigration reform in 1986 was a total failure and was a boon to illegal immigration since then. We cannot afford to fail again.
Of course we cannot deport 12 million people, logistically that would be impossible. However, if anyone who is illegal is ever arrested for any infraction of the law, they will be deported following whatever sentence they may get. No if and or buts.
If an illegal seeks medical services, they will be given that which is required to save their lives, they will then be deported immediately. No if and or buts.
Any other programs they use, when they are found out to be illegal, they will immediately be deported. No if and or buts.
Should they ever return to the US of A, they will be given a fair trial and sentenced to six months in Joe's little motel in Arizona. If they return they will be given an additional six months added on to first six months.
Any services provided to any illegal alien will be deducted from any foreign aid we give to that country they came from. Foreign aid should also be done away with once the illegals are back home safely.
Simple solutions.
Message for you ??. Hey brother whats up, you forgot to talk in your comments, about your dream... The camps.. Yes!! the permanent concentration camps for those = hispanic christian hard working criminals... Who cares about the trauma and crying of there children, any way when these children become doctors police man or american soldiers, they will appreciate what you did to there parents...so keep on the good work.
Your estimate Mr.Dunne of the revenues that will accrue the US government by way of income tax ($45.0B average annual) and from the penalties ($24.0B) are very realistic. It will stimulate the economy in a scale greater than what has been started by Pres. Obama.On top of the growth in government revenue another positive economic effect of the reform is the huge increase in purchases of houses and furniture and other housing stuff. Likewise, there will be a dramatic rise in purchases of cars and other motor vehicles plus the required insurances for these vehicles once the reform is implemented. All other items that are not made available to illegals as a consequence of their not having valid papers will experience substantial growths in demand like life and health insurance,education and training,vacation packages,etc. The economy will surely expand and maintaining peace and security will be much easier for the authorities because everybody will be coming out of the shadows.
we don't need any more idiot illegal alien apologists in the US
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