Immigration Facts

A lot of people don’t like how culturally diverse the U.S. is and that our workforce is composed of both documented and undocumented immigrants. I challenge these individuals to provide FACTS about ways that immigration is hurting our economy or way of life. I repeat, FACTS. It’s nice to have emotions, feelings, and beliefs but if you don’t have concrete facts to affirm those feelings, then you risk being viewed as ignorant, a bigot or simply uninformed. Don’t be that person. Be better than Donald Trump. Below is a list of facts about immigration. Read them, believe them, and use them.

Almost 40% of undocumented immigrants come by plane and overstay visas.
It would cost 137 billion dollars (ICE estimates) in order to deport 11 million undocumented immigrants. $12,500 per person.
With an estimated cost of $4 million per mile, building an additional 700 miles of a border wall along the U.S. – Mexican border would cost about $2.8 billion.
Thousands of American companies hire and benefit from undocumented immigrants.
Immigrants pay taxes: The 11 million-plus undocumented immigrants living in the United States contribute an estimated $11.84 billion in state and local taxes each year, according to a study by the Institution of Taxation and Economic Policy. That’s a conservative estimate based on 2012 numbers. It’s now thought to be closer to $12.6 billion.
Data from 50 states calculates that comprehensive immigration reform would boost the U.S.’ annual revenue flow by an additional $2.2 billion.
Mass deportation would drain the U.S. economy of some $2.5 trillion over 10 years, according to the 2010 study by the Center of American Progress.
Promoting a path to legalization and other immigration reforms would boost the U.S.’ economy by $1.5 trillion over a ten year period.

Art by Alberto Ledesma