Survey Finds Undocumented Workers Pay $12B in Annual Taxes
A new survey finds roughly 50 percent of all undocumented workers currently pay income taxes, with many of them paying out a higher tax percentage than billionaire Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump and many of the nation's other top earners.
In total, the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy survey finds that the nation's estimated 11 million undocumented workers pay out roughly $11. 6 billion in state and local taxes each year. In California alone, some 2.67 million undocumented workers account for well over $3 billion in tax revenue.
Some Pay Nearly 11 Percent
While the individual tax rate varies from state to state, researchers also concluded undocumented workers pay about 8 percent on average, with some states cashing in at a rate as high as 10.8 percent.
Those findings are in stark contrast with accusations hurled by Trump throughout much of his Republican run for the White House. Among his biggest platform items, Trump has said he'd crack down on immigration if he is elected, vowing to deport all undocumented immigrants over the first 18 months of his administration.
Since formally launching his campaign over the summer, Trump has also staunchly reaffirmed his contention that only 10 percent of undocumented workers actually pay taxes.
In addition to taking exception with Trump's faulty claims, the study also found about one-third of all undocumented citizens are homeowners who also pay property taxes.
Immigration Reform Could Add Tax Revenues
Researchers also concluded that with comprehensive immigration reform, structured to put all undocumented citizens on a path toward citizenship, currently undocumented workers would contribute at least $2 billion in additional annual tax revenue.
Back in 2014, President Obama sought to enact a series of executive actions on immigration that would save some 5 million undocumented immigrants from possible deportation. Researchers now estimate that action could have added somewhere around $442 million in additional annual taxes.
A lower court has since stalled the legislation, and House Majority Leader Paul Ryan, R-Wis., recently revealed the GOP hopes to voice its opposition to the measure before the Supreme Court later this year when the case is heard. As part of their plan, Republicans are hoping to argue before the court during the oral arguments phase of the proceedings. Former Solicitor General Paul Clement is rumored to be representing the GOP on a pro bono basis.
The Obama administration's action came after Congress repeatedly failed to pass comprehensive legislation on immigration reform, leaving roughly 11 million undocumented immigrants, who make their homes in the U.S., in perpetual limbo.
Among other benefits, the president's plan offered increased protections to DREAMERS, or young undocumented immigrants who came or were brought into the U.S. when they were 16 or younger.
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