HOW THE ECONOMY WOULD BENEFIT FROM GIVING LEGAL STATUS AND CITIZENSHIP TO THE UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANT POPULATION IN THE UNITED STATES The Benefits of Legalization

Undocumented Immigrants in the U.S. What is an undocumented immigrant?  Foreign-born person who enters the United States without authorization or overstays a temporary authorization  Anyone without legal permission, i.e.: visa, green card, or citizenship, to be present in the United States

Undocumented Immigrants in the U.S.  Estimated 11.4 million undocumented immigrants in the United States  8.9 million from North America, 1.3 million from Asia, 800,000 from South America, 300,000 from Europe, and 200,000 from other countries  70% came from Mexico, El Salvador, and Guatemala  Over 400,000 undocumented immigrants were deported in 2012

Estimated Undocumented Immigrant Population in the U.S. by Country of Birth

What to do About the Undocumented Population Comprehensive Immigration Reform laws have failed to passed Congress for many years Most recent attempt in January of 2013 passed the Senate but the House of Representatives refused Some believe that giving undocumented immigrants legal status and citizenship is the right and moral thing to do Others feel that undocumented immigrants are a drain on society and don’t “deserve” to be here, they should be sent “home” as soon as possible

Benefits of Legalization One study in 2013 showed the positive effects that giving legal status and citizenship to the undocumented population would have on the economy Broken down into three scenarios: 1. Undocumented immigrants are given both legal status and citizenship in Undocumented immigrants are given legal status in 2013 and citizenship 5 years later 3. Undocumented immigrants are given legal status in 2013 but not eligible for citizenship within 10 years Note: these examples assume that all 11 million undocumented would be granted permission to stay

Scenario 1: Legalization and Citizenship Now U.S. GDP would grow an additional $1.4 trillion over 10 years Americans would earn additional $791 billion in personal income over 10 years $116 billion additional tax revenue to federal government over 10 years $68 billion additional tax revenue to state and local governments over 10 years Create average of 203,000 additional jobs per year

Scenario 2: Legal Status Now, Citizenship in 5 Years U.S. GDP would grow and additional $1.1 trillion over 10 years Americans would earn additional $618 billion in personal income over 10 years $91 billion additional tax revenue to federal government over 10 years $53 billion additional tax revenue to state and local governments over 10 years Create average of 159,000 additional jobs per year

Scenario 3: Legal Status Now, No Citizenship U.S. GDP would grow and additional $832 billion over 10 years Americans would earn additional $470 billion in personal income over 10 years $69 billion additional tax revenue to federal government over 10 years $40 billion additional tax revenue to state and local governments over 10 years Create average of 121,000 additional jobs per year

Source: Economics of Legalization and Citizenship

Sources Lynch, R., & Oakford, P. (2013, March 20). The economic effects of granting legal status and citizenship to undocumented immigrants. Retrieved from U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Immigration Statistics