06 OCT 2021

Republicans Claim Immigration Hurts U.S. Economy, the Opposite is True

This week, Immigration Hub exposes the five most egregious and pervasive myths about immigration. Here, we debunk the Republican and right-wing myth that immigration reforms would have a negative impact on the economy.

Washington, DC — MYTH: “Mass amnesty” will cost billions of dollars and negatively impact the economy, hurting Americans. Not only is the terminology inaccurate, but this baseless claim has been perpetuated by elected GOP members of Congress, candidates and Stephen Miller, Trump’s notoriously unqualified and racist immigration advisor, to create voter anxiety over a scarcity of resources and public safety: 

  • @StephenM: Turning illegals into US Citizens is not budget reform: it’s the most devastatingly consequential societal change conceivable. (The solely incidental effect is the longterm deficit explosion from making low-wage illegal aliens eligible for welfare, tax credits and entitlements).

  • @RepDanBishop: Democrats' economic plan: Lockdown the economy; Spend like crazy; Pay people not to work; Raise your taxes; Mass amnesty for illegal immigrants. Crazy.

  • @CawthornforNC: Joe Biden is clearly treating illegal immigrants and refugees better than American citizens. America Last is the Biden way.

  • @laurenboebert: The Biden regime has expanded a program that literally flies illegal immigrants from Honduras, El Salvador & Guatemala directly to the US. They are given “refugee assistance” & other benefits and put on a path to citizenship. The best part, your tax money is used to pay for it!

FACT: Permanent legal residency and lasting protections for undocumented immigrants would boost the American economy, creating jobs and increasing wages for all Americans. 

Undocumented immigrants already contribute billions in taxes every year. Extending lasting protections would result in additional large-scale benefits to our economy.

  • Providing a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, TPS holders, farm workers, and essential workers would boost GDP by a cumulative total of $1.5 trillion over 10 years, create over 400,000 new jobs, and increase wages for all American workers by $600. Undocumented immigrants would also contribute an added $149 billion of spending power each year if they were U.S. citizens. This added income could result in an additional $39 billion in combined federal, payroll, state, and local taxes each year. 

  • The White House Council of Economic Advisors (CEA) argued providing permanent legal status to undocumented immigrants would boost the U.S. economy. CEA noted that “permanent legal status would likely allow these workers to be more productive” and would increase “effective labor supply and improve U.S. economic growth.” 

  • Based on economic research and studies, more than 50 leading economists sent a letter to congressional leadership urging immigration reform be included in budget reconciliation, noting that it would increase wages and productivity, create jobs, and lift families out of poverty. It would also have widespread positive effects on the U.S. economy for years to come.

  • Governors, mayors and local officials have encouraged federal action on immigration, citing the economic benefits to states, cities, and towns across America. 

    • Throughout 2021, governors across the country have called for lasting protections for undocumented immigrants, including a pathway to citizenship. Supporters include:

    • 104 mayors across 30 states urged the White House and congressional leaders to deliver citizenship. The letter sent to President Biden, Vice President Harris, Majority Leader Schumer, and Speaker Pelosi calls for pathways to citizenship for Dreamers, farm workers, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, and essential workers, citing the positive economic impact this would have on their towns and cities as they recover from the COVID-19 crisis.  

    • More than 700 mayors, council members, school board members and other local officials from across the U.S. calledon Democratic lawmakers and President Biden to deliver immigration solutions, saying that "Providing a path to citizenship for [Dreamers, TPS recipients and their families] not only recognizes the sacrifices they have made for all Americans over the past year, but also the important role they continue to play in America’s economic recovery and long-term global competitiveness."

Other debunked myths include Republican scapegoating of immigrants for the spread of COVID-19. Read more here.

###

The Immigration Hub is a national organization dedicated to advancing fair and just immigration policies through strategic leadership, innovative communications strategies, legislative advocacy and collaborative partnerships.