Washington, DC, June 5, 2024—A newly released data analysis from the American Immigration Council underscores the vital contributions immigrants make to the U.S. economy, especially in key swing states. This analysis, based on 2022 U.S. Census data, reveals that immigrants are not only helping to drive economic growth but are also contributing significantly to federal, state, and local revenues, even amidst anti-immigrant rhetoric in the ongoing presidential campaign.

According to the report, immigrant households contributed an impressive $579.1 billion in taxes in 2022. This includes $35.1 billion paid by undocumented immigrants, which accounts for nearly 1 in 6 tax dollars collected across the country. These taxes help support essential social services such as public education, healthcare programs, and food assistance for low-income families.

In several swing states, often the focus of political discourse around immigration, undocumented immigrants have proven to be essential economic contributors. For instance:

• In Georgia, undocumented immigrants paid over $1 billion in taxes.
• In Arizona, they contributed $766 million.
• In Pennsylvania, the figure reached $519 million.
• In Michigan, $368 million.
• Wisconsin saw $240 million in taxes paid by undocumented workers.

The analysis also points to the critical role immigrants play in sustaining programs such as Social Security and Medicare. In 2022, immigrants contributed $194.5 billion to Social Security, which supported monthly benefits for over 109.5 million Americans, and an additional $53.6 billion to Medicare. These contributions are vital for keeping these programs afloat as the U.S. population ages.

Additionally, immigrants are filling crucial roles across various industries. More than 25% of U.S. agricultural workers, 23.1% of STEM professionals, and 15.6% of nurses are immigrants, according to the 2022 data. Immigrants are also essential in the construction and healthcare sectors, with over half of health aides in states like New York and New Jersey being foreign-born.

Despite their contributions, many states passing restrictive immigration laws have seen significant growth in their immigrant populations. Iowa, for instance, experienced a 17.6% increase in its immigrant population from 2021 to 2022, even as it passed laws criminalizing re-entry into the country for deported individuals.

Nan Wu, Director of Research at the American Immigration Council, stressed the importance of moving beyond the southern border debate when discussing immigration reform. “Immigrants are essential workers who make incredible contributions to our country and our economy,” Wu said. “We need policies that reflect their role in our communities and industries, from agriculture to tech.”

The American Immigration Council’s Map the Impact tool provides a deeper dive into these statistics, allowing users to explore immigrant contributions by state, county, and metro area.

For more information or to discuss state-specific findings, the American Immigration Council encourages media and policymakers to reach out to their team of experts.

Media Contact:
Elyssa Pachico
Email: epachico@immcouncil.org
Phone: 503-850-8407

About the American Immigration Council:
The American Immigration Council works to strengthen the country by shaping how America views and interacts with immigrants. Through advocacy, research, and litigation, the Council seeks a more just and inclusive immigration system.