Cost of Illegal Immigration in New York

New York’s illegal alien population of 750,000 costs the Empire State billions of taxpayer dollars every year.

Tax payers in New York pay approximately $5.1 billion per year to support immigrants who are illegally residing in their state, according to the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR). Of the billions, about $4.3 billion is spent on illegal immigrant children in New York’s public schools, about $690 million is spent on health care, and another $165 million is spent on incarcerating, deporting, and prosecuting illegal immigrants.

Although every New York household made up of American citizens pays an estimated $874 every year to support their illegal neighbors, the state makes some money back. The illegal immigrant population in New York pays approximately $730 million every year in sales, income, and property taxes.

Urgent: Do You Support Immigration Reform?

Still, that $730 million cannot even cover the costs of the children in New York schools who have illegal immigrant parents. These children make up 11.7 percent of K-12 student in New York’s public school system.

FAIR also identified numerous unquantifiable costs to illegal immigration in New York in addition to its monetary expenditures. Law enforcement must exert time and energy remedying crime related to illegal immigrants. Schools and other public entities must provide translation services at events such as PTA meetings. Citizens may see increased insurance rates as a result of increased property and auto theft. New York’s local economy is affected by remittances and money sent abroad. The influx of illegal immigrants creates more congestion.

The costs are not expected to lessen. In fact, FAIR predicts that by 2050 over 26,157,000 illegal immigrants will reside in New York.

In January 2015 New York began issuing municipal-identification cards to undocumented immigrants. As a result, illegals gained access to prescription drug discounts and more city buildings and services.

“For New Yorkers who couldn’t have an official ID, this card is the key to a fuller life,” Mayor Bill de Blasio told The New York Times. He also claimed that the system that provides state recognition to illegal immigrants is “fraud-proof, secure and appealing to anyone.”

Tell Us: Should Illegals Be Allowed to Apply for US Citizenship?

Related Stories:

• Notable Lawsuits Over School Prayer in New York
• Christian Denominations With Most Conservative Stance on Immigration