New Research Reveals Large Increase in Arizona's Illegal Immigration Costs

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May 18, 2010, 06:07 ET

WASHINGTON, May 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- New research from the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) estimates that the cost of illegal immigration to Arizonans is over $2.7 billion annually. This newly-released estimate includes additional areas of expenditure not included in FAIR's 2004 estimate of about $1.3 billion annual expenditures.

FAIR's research shows that K-12 education of the children of illegal aliens costs the state's taxpayers nearly half of the total fiscal burden. Other factors included in FAIR's estimate are Medicaid, SCHIP, incarceration, welfare and general government expenditures. FAIR's estimate also includes tax state revenue collected from the illegal immigrant population through property, sales and income taxes. This tax revenue represents about $143 million annually, leaving a deficit of more than a $2.7 billion.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100518/DC07244)

Fiscal Costs in Millions

K-12 education	$1,390.5
LEP education	$279.6
Medicaid	$259.8
SCHIP+	$335.0
Justice	$339.7
Welfare+	$85.5
General	$155.4
Total Costs	$2,845.6

Fiscal Revenues in Millions

Property Tax	$53.0
Sales Tax	$78.6
Income Tax	$11.2
Total Revenues	$142.8

Net Costs	$2,702.8

About FAIR

Founded in 1979, FAIR is the country's largest immigration reform group. With over 250,000 members nationwide, FAIR fights for immigration policies that serve national interests, not special interests.

SOURCE FAIR