Illegal immigrants are national expense

By Barry Armstrong / Money Matters
Tuesday, February 10, 2009 - Updated 1d 20h ago

What effect does illegal immigration have on unemployment and what financial burdens does it cause?

Illegal immigration causes an immense financial burden to taxpayers, particularly on the local level.

The Federation for American Immigration Reform estimates that the cost to local communities will reach $61.5 billion in 2010. This figure includes the price to educate children in grade schools, paying for incarceration and the cost of providing medical attention in area hospitals.

Taxpayers in Massachusetts alone are expected to pay nearly $1 billion for the education of illegal immigrants and children in 2010. This estimate is expected to grow dramatically in the next 10 years.

On the federal level, back in 2002, households that were headed up by illegal immigrants cost the country nearly $27 billion while only paying $16 billion in taxes.

A major impact on the debt incurred by illegal immigrants is their education level. Their typically low pay-scale means that they pay fewer taxes in the long term. The children of illegal immigrants born on U.S. soil significantly impact the deficit as they are eligible for federal social programs.

E-mail questions to barry@moneymattersradio.net. Barry Armstrong is the host of “Money Matters with Barry Armstrongâ€