Study Shows that Immigrants Add 1.6 Billion to State Economy

Contrary to much of the blame that has been placed on immigrants for the recent financial crisis, a new study by the University of Nebraska at Omaha reveals that immigrants add $1.6 billion annually in spending to the state’s economy and fill a critical role in the work force.

While the data available to researchers was not able to differentiate between legal and unauthorized immigrants, the report does make claims regarding legal status and economic contributions:

It would be reasonable to also assume that the economic contributions of unauthorized immigrants are more than likely underestimated by all accounts, and that their public costs are likely lower than for authorized immigrants or the native born as a whole.

Also interesting to note is the tax contribution by immigrants and per capital expenditure on immigrants:

The state’s immigrant population contributed about $154 million in the form of property, income, sales and gasoline tax revenue in 2006. This amounts to about $1,554 in per capita contributions. By contrast, the state’s corresponding per capita contribution from the native-born population is about $1,944.

In terms of government costs, the immigrant population in Nebraska accounted for $144.78 million from food stamps, public assistance, health, and educational expenditures in 2006. This amounts to about $1,455 per capita. By contrast, the corresponding per capita costs from the native-born population are about $1,941.

While the contribution to cost ratio is 1.0 for the native population, the corresponding ratio for the immigrant group is 1.07, indicating that this group “pays in” about seven percent more of what it uses in terms of governmental support.