HispanicBusiness

The cost of illegal immigration is back on the radar as California grapples with its historic deficit, according the Los Angeles Times.

With lawmakers struggling to close a $26 billion budget hole, some immigration activists are calling on state lawmakers to cut services to illegal immigrants for their U.S.-born children, who are currently eligible for welfare benefits because they are U.S. citizens.

State welfare officials told the paper this would save $640 million annually "if it survives legal challenges."

In addition, Gov. Schwarzenegger has proposed putting a five-year limit on welfare payments to the U.S.-born children of illegal immigrants. The administration says this would save $77 million annually.

California is home to roughly 2.7 million illegal immigrants, or 7 percent of the state's population.

The report noted that illegal immigrants also contribute to the state's budget in sales taxes, but said the costs tend to outweigh the revenues. However, many employers of illegal immigrants also withhold Social Security and income tax, but this most of this money goes to the federal government. The Social Security Administration estimates that in 2007, illegal immigrants contributed $12 billion to the system, the paper reports.
Services for Illegal Immigrants Under Fire Amid California's Budget Disaster


The cost of illegal immigration is back on the radar as California grapples with its historic deficit, according the Los Angeles Times.

With lawmakers struggling to close a $26 billion budget hole, some immigration activists are calling on state lawmakers to cut services to illegal immigrants for their U.S.-born children, who are currently eligible for welfare benefits because they are U.S. citizens.

State welfare officials told the paper this would save $640 million annually "if it survives legal challenges."

In addition, Gov. Schwarzenegger has proposed putting a five-year limit on welfare payments to the U.S.-born children of illegal immigrants. The administration says this would save $77 million annually.

California is home to roughly 2.7 million illegal immigrants, or 7 percent of the state's population.

The report noted that illegal immigrants also contribute to the state's budget in sales taxes, but said the costs tend to outweigh the revenues. However, many employers of illegal immigrants also withhold Social Security and income tax, but this most of this money goes to the federal government. The Social Security Administration estimates that in 2007, illegal immigrants contributed $12 billion to the system, the paper reports.