Amid growing economic uncertainty, a new report from the American Immigration Council (AIC) reveals that immigrants contribute hundreds of billions of dollars annually to the U.S. economy—even as the Trump administration and Congress finalize a budget funding large-scale detention and deportation efforts.
The analysis, now available in Spanish for the first time, highlights immigrants’ critical role in sustaining economic growth through real estate wealth, tax contributions to Social Security and Medicare, and labor in vital sectors like STEM, healthcare, and agriculture.
Key Findings from 2023 Census Data
Family Separations: Approximately 4.1 million U.S. citizen children live with at least one undocumented parent, putting them at risk under mass deportation policies.
Tax Contributions: Undocumented immigrant households paid $89.8 billion in federal, state, and local taxes in 2023. All immigrant households combined contributed $16.80 of every $100 in total U.S. tax revenue.
Real Estate Impact: Immigrant households paid $167 billion in rent and held over $6.6 trillion in housing wealth, revitalizing neighborhoods nationwide.
Labor Force Stability: Immigrants fill critical gaps, with 1 in 4 U.S. entrepreneurs and 46% of Fortune 500 companies founded by immigrants or their children. In healthcare, they make up 16% of nurses and 28% of health aides.
Contradictions in Policy
Despite these contributions, the proposed federal budget would divert funds toward Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) expansion while cutting social services.
“Immigrants fuel prosperity for all Americans, yet leaders plan to spend billions detaining and deporting them—harming families and the economy,” said Nan Wu, AIC’s Research Director. “They’ve paid trillions in taxes, and now those funds could finance their own removal.”
Interactive Data Tool
The AIC’s online tool allows users to explore immigrant contributions by state, county, metro area, and congressional district.
For further analysis on state-level impacts or specific groups (DACA recipients, refugees, etc.), contact the AIC.
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