Illegal immigration taxing NJ taxpayers
If lawmakers are looking for a good way to close the state's projected $2 billion tax deficit, they might want to check out a new study that shows illegal immigrants in New Jersey are costing taxpayers at least $2 billion a year.
According to the Federation for Immigration Reform study, titled "The Costs of Illegal Immigration to New Jerseyites," http://www.fairus.org/site/PageServer?pagename=research_njcosts, the state spends more than $1.85 billion on education alone to school the children of illegal immigrants, who make up nearly 12 percent of the K-12 population. That estimate does not include the costs for ESL programs, remedial education or breakfast and lunch programs available to students from low-income families.
Health care for illegal immigrants costs taxpayers an additional $200 million a year, and the cost of incarcerating deportable illegal aliens in jails costs another $50 million.
Immigration is generally a federal matter. The report notes, however, that "federal law has provided avenues for the state and local governments to act to lessen the fiscal burden of illegal immigration, but state and local governments in New Jersey are not using those resources."
It's time they start doing so.
According to the Federation for Immigration Reform study, titled "The Costs of Illegal Immigration to New Jerseyites," http://www.fairus.org/site/PageServer?pagename=research_njcosts, the state spends more than $1.85 billion on education alone to school the children of illegal immigrants, who make up nearly 12 percent of the K-12 population. That estimate does not include the costs for ESL programs, remedial education or breakfast and lunch programs available to students from low-income families.
Health care for illegal immigrants costs taxpayers an additional $200 million a year, and the cost of incarcerating deportable illegal aliens in jails costs another $50 million.
Immigration is generally a federal matter. The report notes, however, that "federal law has provided avenues for the state and local governments to act to lessen the fiscal burden of illegal immigration, but state and local governments in New Jersey are not using those resources."
It's time they start doing so.
posted by Randy Bergmann at 4:53 PM
5 Comments:
Randy,
The costs must be even higher than that. 10 years ago the Monmouth County Courthouse had only one "part time" Spanish interpreter. Today, it has 3 full time Spanish interpreters, and several either p/time or per diem ones.
The program went from having one desk, to a full office.
most schools now must hire at least one spanish speaking Administrator plus at least 2 spanish teachers
It's disgusting how some people are allowed to break the law, while others are held accountable.
As long as our politicians are more concerned about getting re-elected, than the good of our state. They will go for the vote, and not what is right.
i couldn't disagree more. Unless you are native american or african american- it is likely that your family chose to come to this country. your family came to this country for exact same or similar reasons- jobs, political, religious and/or cultural freedom. just like our recent ancestors these immigrants come to work and they work hard, they add to the economy and add to what our society stands for... just take a look over the Hudson at that little statue thing.
How xenophobic are we that we now want to close the doors to this country?
A more prudent discussion would be regarding inequality. Global inequality (largely designed by the U.S. and the West) is what is at the heart of immigration. If the U.S. is serious about reducing immigration then they need to look at how the U.S. has fostered inequality in the world. Nevertheless, there is not much NJ can do to reduce immigration; instead we should look at ourselves in the mirror and ask ourselves where we would be if it wasn't for immigration.
On a slightly more abstract level, it makes little sense for someone in San Antonio to feel more connected to someone in Alaska than just over the border in Mexico. We have to remember that borders are artificial, but people are not. And the folks south of our border are coming her for a reason and if we don't want them to come here, the U.S. should adjust its foreign policy towards Latin America. Assuming you have been to Tijuana i would bet that you drove through San Diego. Now take a step back, if you lived in Tijuana, i would also bet that you do just about anything to get your family to San Diego... Until Tijuana looks more like San Diego immigration will "be a problem" for you Xenophobes.
Remember where you came from.
Post a Comment
<< Home