Fear vs. Facts: Examining the Economic Impact of Undocumented Immigrants in the U.S.

Authors

David Becerra, Arizona State University
David K. Androff, Arizona State University
Cecilia Ayón, Arizona State University
Jason T. Castillo, University of Utah

Keywords

Immigration, undocumented immigration, social work, policy, Latinos, economy

Abstract

Undocumented immigration has become a contentious issue in the U.S. over the past decade. Opponents of undocumented immigration have argued that undocumented immigrants are a social and financial burden to the U.S. which has led to the passage of drastic and costly policies. This paper examined existing state and national data and found that undocumented immigrants do contribute to the economies of federal, state, and local governments through taxes and can stimulate job growth, but the cost of providing law enforcement, health care, and education impacts federal, state, and local governments differently. At the federal level, undocumented immigrants tend to contribute more money in taxes than they consume in services, however, the net economic costs or benefits to state and local governments varies throughout the U.S.

Recommended Citation

Becerra, David; Androff, David K.; Ayón, Cecilia; and Castillo, Jason T. (2012) "Fear vs. Facts: Examining the Economic Impact of Undocumented Immigrants in the U.S.," The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare: Vol. 39: Iss. 4, Article 7.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15453/0191-5096.3702
Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/jssw/vol39/iss4/7