Immigrants Pay More Into Services Than They Use

Immigrants pay into the system more than they use in services:

In California, the average immigrant-headed household contributes a net $2,679 annually to Social Security, which is $539 more than the average US-born household.

Since most immigrants are under 65 years of age, as a group they are net contributors to this large federal program. Social security, along with Medicare, works to keep older Americans out of poverty.

According to US Census data, the average US born Californian receives a total of $1,212 annually in cash benefits from programs such as Social Security, SSI, TANF, and other programs. Non-citizens received only $474 annually in public benefits.

Immigrants in California pay approximately $4.5 billion in state taxes each year; their federal tax contribution is more than $30 billion annually.

Overall, 19 percent of California’s foreign born lived in poverty in 2000, compared to 10 percent of whites. Nevertheless, they tend to be net contributors to government programs at both the federal and state levels.

Immigrants often require the most assistance immediately upon arrival to the United States. As immigrants reside in the state for a longer period of time, they are less likely to use services and more likely to contribute significant amounts.

Robert Stanford
Candidate for Modesto City Council Seat 1
http://www.myspace.com/stanford4modesto
PO Box 576684
Modesto, CA 95357
(209) 496-2363
toymaker99@yahoo.com