Immigrants pay far more in taxes than they use in public services, according to data from the Cato Institute, a Washington, D.C.–based libertarian think tank.

The report showed between 1994 and 2023, immigrants contributed $14.5 trillion more in federal, state and local taxes than they cost the government in social services like health care and education.

Alejandro Queral, executive director of the Oregon Center for Public Policy, said the findings contradict the common Trump administration message immigrants are depleting the country’s resources.

"The reality is that there is a significant benefit that immigrants bring to our economy," Queral emphasized. "Not to mention how integral immigrants are to the fabric of the community, to the culture of those communities."

Queral explained immigrants, regardless of their legal status, pay taxes but do not receive benefits like unemployment and Social Security. He added immigrants have an overall positive fiscal impact because they are likely to be of working age and also have less access to benefits for older adults, like pensions.

Queral pointed out immigrants in Oregon account for 13% of the state's economic output, which is disproportionately higher than their population. He stressed contrary to the Trump administration view, expanding pathways to gain legal status would create more stability for the state’s economy.

"If you don't have the workers ready to pick those crops, the economic impact is going to be significant," Queral underscored. "Having that certainty through a legal pathway will actually help businesses and will have a positive net effect on the economy."

Queral praised Oregon for adopting policies in support of immigrant communities like the Earned Income Tax Credit and Oregon Kids Credit. He argued when workers are more supported, then employers can depend more on their labor.

Source: Public News Service