Study: Legalizing undocumented adult Latinos would be boon to state's economy

California could reap an economic boon worth $16 billion by legalizing its 1.8 million undocumented adult Latino immigrants, according to a USC study released today.

The economic benefits would come as newly legalized immigrants earned higher wages, spent more consumer dollars, paid more taxes and helped create jobs, according to the study by the USC Center for the Study of Immigrant Integration.

“People keep using our economic condition as an excuse to not do comprehensive immigration reform,” said Manuel Pastor, one of the study’s authors. “It’s just the opposite: What we need to do to right our economy and move forward is create a path to legalization.”

But Steven Camarota of the Washington-based Center for Immigration Studies said that legalization would also cost taxpayers. He said the majority of illegal immigrants already pay taxes, but legalization would make them eligible for scores of public services, including welfare, unemployment insurance and non-emergency healthcare.

“Whatever the drain is now, it just gets bigger with legalization,” he said.

The USC study did not examine the added costs in services to the state.

The study was released at a kickoff rally in Los Angeles to renew lobbying efforts for legalization, more worker and family visas and other elements of comprehensive immigration reform. Amid balloons, posters and lively cheers, several labor, religious and immigrant rights leaders spoke in favor of reform.

Angelica Salas of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles said activists plan to hold town halls, identify and register pro-reform voters, and visit all 53 congressional representatives and two senators in the next few months.

The California effort is part of a 50-state campaign to amass enough congressional votes for reform legislation by May 1.

--Teresa Watanabe

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Comments

[susan]

David Mendoza you are wrong and you know it. Your argument has so many holes in it. Studies show that illegals DO NOT go on to higher education UNLESS they learn English before they arrive in the US. Therefore, they will not be getting higher paid jobs to contribute revenue to the state. Let's face it, California is sinking and if illegals receive amnesty, it will fall into the ocean. Bye bye golden state.

[Mayron Payes]

A study from a prestigious university professor provides factual information about the positive economic impact of comprehensive immigration reform would have in CA. Hurray! Then, we need comprehensive immigration reform, it is good for the economy, it would certainly be good for families (I am just shocked all the tragic family separation that is going on in CA and elsewhere), and would be good for the next generation of youth whose parents may be undocumented. Bring it on!! Let’s have immigration reform in 2010.

[Regular Joe]

Unfortunately, some of the comments by some of the readers, continue to spread myths, distort facts and sadly do not provide a solution to fix our current immigration system. The current financial crisis has shown more than ever that, when it comes to the economy, we are all in it together. It is in the best interest of the country to have economy security and opportunity for all to move forward. It is clear that our economy and immigration policies are no longer working for everyone but select few. Instead of scapegoating immigrants we should make America work for all of us. Reforming our current immigration system would bring stability, opportunity and fairness to American workers, families and communities. Providing legal status with path to citizenship to undocumented workers would bring them out of the shadows and prevent unscrupulous employers from taking advantage of both native and legal workers as well as exploiting undocumented workers.

[Jorge-Mario Cabrera]

More than 7 national polls indicate that knee-jerk reactions to fixing our broken immigration system are so 80's! The lies that immigrants abuse the system are so passe, people should give up reusing them. We can no longer deny that we have to do something to level the playing field for all workers. We must work with each other to figure out a sensible, smart, and humane way to deal with the more than 12 million immigrants who live in the shadows and who for the most part want to prosper in this the land of opportunity. What family doesn't want to have its children prosper and achieve their highest potential? Immigrants before us had a chance; why can't we not give the new immigrant a chance too. Immigration reform is the answer and I will support it wholeheartedly.

[DeWayne]

And an additional couple million would be racing here to fill there illegal status.

[pablo]

I have news for you... you already are!

[Angelica Salas]

California is in desperate need of an economic boost. Over a million undocumented immigrants, who are already paying taxes, would pay more: $16 billion dollars. The wage floor would rise and most importantly we would all be contributing our fair share. Legalization with a path to citizenship is what California needs so all its residents have confidence in the future and can freely investment more in their neighborhoods. Wake up California you need immigration reform! Economists like Pastor just tell us the facts, now it is up to us to listen and take action in favor of our state's future.

[Jack]

You guys have my full support. GO REFORM!!!

[MaryJ]

The Open Borders Times simply will not quit with its relentless rah-rahing for illegal immigrants. It's as if your editors and "reporters" think that native-born Americans and legal immigrants simply do not exist. You are going bankrupt, you offend your fast-declining readership daily with your pro-illegal alien drivel, and still you lobby, lobby, lobby for illegals! Anyone can see this so-called "study" is simply yet another excersize in pro-open-borders, Marxist propaganda where numbers are massaged to say what the propagandists want them to say.

We will not stand for it anymore. This was once the richest and most beautiful state in the Union. It's now a Third World dump. For god's sake do you think your ludicrous propaganda is more convincing than our own lyin' eyes?

[Laura]

A reform of the immigration system has to be made. IRCA of 1986 was not a reform, hence, the issue of migration was not addressed for the long haul. If money is a concern well it shouldn't be. Migrants are currently contributing taxes to the system (how else can one prove to be in the United States for the required years before applying for permanent residency?). Becoming a permanent resident or a citizen is an expense process and am sure that the legalization process through a future reform will be costly for migrants (its part of the compromise). I am tired that our taxes are misused in a war I do not support. Billions of dollars have been wasted. I'd rather have my taxes spent on preventative health care for all human beings, regardless of immigration status, rather than be used to bombard civilians. Emergency rooms would be less costly if the ill could receive the necessary care before its too late for them.

[ccshr]

To Hollywood....Bye!!

[ccshr]

If undocumented workers become legal permanent residents that means MORE TAXES for California and the Fed. Govt. You people really don't understand the REASON why legalizing people makes more sense. Bunch of racist numbskulls posing as fiscal experts.

[Liz]

I'm unwilling to drive into another fast food restaurant knowing that the tomatoes in my hamburger were grown by illegals, or that the person handing me my food through the drive thru window is illegal, I will not stand for this illegality and crime against our nation of laws...no longer....and since I'm unwilling to quit my job to work at a fast food restaurant, I support comprehensive immigration reform...reality check people :)

[Lucho]

C'mon boys!! stop whining about illegal immigration. All of you who are against it, and wish all illegals go home, are the first ones who get up early on Sunday and go to the local and cheapest car wash available (guess who wash your monster truck??). Plus, you pay $$ every month for a gardener, because you are too lazy to do it yourself. (still guessing who do it for you??) You should know a HUGE percentage of people on welfare lie to qualify. (Guess who qualify for welfare???) Illegals??? mmmmm Nope. Americans????? mmmm YES! Lazy people, same people who buy services from Illegals, but then want them to go home. Please, you are consuming too much internet, get a life!

[davidozone]

In response to the first comment by Blenda M.The answer is a certain religous group who are the smallest religion percentage wise,yet most powerfull financially and politically.

[Native Californian]

This study may miss a few points about services usage increases, but also misses other points: decrease in unreported crimes due to fears of deportation, increased civic engagement (aka democracy), a decrease in avoidable infractions/crimes (e.g. driving w/o a license, falsifying identification, etc) which leads to a decrease in identity thefts, and so many others. While it is certain that some service use may go up, it is also true that many immigrant folks still use traditional medicines and still live together--and care for each other--longer than most acculturated folks. Really, it's always fun to read through the thoughtless, angry, hateful, illiterate responses. I just hope those with intelligence and moral quotients of even the lowest of us will rise up in support of our fellow human brothers and sisters...

[Garry Barnes]

The above study is bogus. Amnesty has been granted @ least 12 times with everytime leading to increase to illegal Immigration. The typical American voter does not trust our goverment to enforce our immigration laws. How many raids on illegal immigrates have been made since Barack Obama has been in office? None. Do you think that our goverment doesn't know they are here working illegally.A American citzen or Permanate resident could be working that job instead of being unemployed. Our borders were promised double layer fencing. What happen with that Joe Democrates? What is wrong with securing our borders to drugs,Terrorist,human trafficing, And Illegal Aliens? Catering to Illegal Advocates instead of Americans will have you pay dearly in November 2010.

[Jose Lopez]

DUDE! SERIOUSLY...come on people!

[Rey Barrera]

Academic studies by reputable institutions such as USC are not to be taken lightly. California is a State with the most to gain from legalization, as Californians we need to address the pressing problems that affect us, with the budget crisis we experience, we do not have the luxury of time. Inaction does not benefit Californians nor does it address the close to 1.8 million immigrants that live in our state.

[Gricelda]

It is evident that Immigration Reform is needed NOW!, it would benefit the country economically, keep families together and help undocumented people come out of the shadows. There is not more excuses to put this issue in the backburner, the time to act is now, it will benefit everyone... I support Immigration Reform...do you?

[Tara]

No, No and No! They will find ways to avoid paying taxes; continue to work on the black market and send billions back "home". Legalization won't change the mentality, it will just increase the list of benefits. Ya Basta!

[Carl Bergquist]

History has repeatedly proven you xenophobic Know Nothing Nostradamuses wrong, wrong and yes, totally wrong. A country of hundreds of millions can not only absorb newcomers, but demonstrably prospers from doing so.
Economists and politicians can and will disagree - some geniuses even think that excluding tens of millions of uninsured from the health care system and pushing people into the emergency rooms makes moral and fiscal sense. And some of these same wizards seemingly WANT to believe that immigrants who pay taxes, do the dirty jobs, contribute to the legacy of American diversity and play by the pursuit of happiness rules as set out by the Founders are a burden??? Alice in Wonderland material.
The overwhelming majority of Americans and immigrants are good, decent people and the anti-immigrant minority of today will meet the same fate as those of yesteryear. Their increasing desperation of their hue and cry makes me confident that 2010 will indeed be the year for immigration reform.

[Another Reader]

Although undocumented immigrants use some of the state services, they are also consumers and exist in towns and cities all over the US. They are not only the stereotypical Mexican working in the field; they are students, actors, engineers, Chinese, Korean, Australian, German. My point is that many of the comments here narrow immigrants down to Mexicans and depict them as uneducated and unskilled when in fact they include many of the skilled, educated people this country is in dire need of to be economically back on track. PLUS children of immigrants often to better in school than U.S. born children. They go to public schools and use the services of their state, BUT in the long run their education leads to more professionals who will contribute back to our country. This article and study just shows the importance of investing in immigrants who are (whether we're want to acknowledge it or not) our future.

[kristin]

Seriously, it's incredible how people seem to act as if immigrants are not our humans - real people who exist in our communities as our neighbors, friends, coworkers, etc. the immigration system today is so severely broken, that often people have no choice BUT to come to the U.S. without proper documentation - after all, if it came down to being separated from your family for years and years, or risking everything to be with them... wouldn't you choose family first?

and as to the idea of forcing children to be illegal as well - have you no shame? children are the most innocent bystanders in this whole hoopla. they no absolutely no say in what country they live in or in their immigration status. why punish them for something they have no control over?

legalization is the only answer to all these problems. it's absolutely inhumane to even consider forcing all the undocumented folks to simply leave. immigrants already are the backbone of our economy - why not allow them to contribute more fully and help push CA out of this massive debt crisis?

thanks teresa watanabe for writing this great article and bringing attention to the study!

[Chris Fleischman]

Good article, except there was no need to quote Steven Camarota of the Center for Immigration Studies in an effort to appear "fair and balanced."

He represents a radical anti-immigrant group with ties to White Supremacy. If you research the John Tanton Network, you will see the connection between extreme hate groups and CIS.

In the future, it would be more accurate to label CIS representatives for what they are: advocates for racial purity in America.