I first heard of that money sent home (BY WORKING immigrants at that time) “remittances” when I saw several people waiting their turn at a section of the gas station convenience store with a dedicated 24 phone allowing them to send money transfers to another country.
From United States to other countries sent by immigrants:
“In 2023, the United States was the largest source of remittances, with over $63 billion sent to other countries:
Recipient countries: The top five recipient countries in 2023 were:
India ($125 billion)
Mexico ($67 billion)
China ($50 billion)....” Migration Data Portal. Updated June 27, 2024.
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A different total——————
US immigrants remitted more than US$81 billion in 2022, according to the World Bank. Updated October 25, 2024 by World Bank.
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Rice University Baker Institute for Public Policy website:
“ By the end of 2023, remittances sent by workers to low- and middle-income countries are expected to reach approximately $639 trillion dollars — about 78% of total remittances across the globe. The main recipient countries include India (12.6% of the total sent), Mexico (7.5%), China (6.4%), and the Philippines (4.8%). The largest source of remittances is the United States, with more than 25% of all transfers; Saudi Arabia is second with 6.6%. Given the large population of Mexican immigrants — both documented and undocumented — living in the United States, it is unsurprising that Mexico receives a high percentage of the remittances from the U.S.”
Another topic: welfare sign-ups by immigrants.
“most legal immigrants have lived here long enough to qualify for welfare. A number of states also provide welfare to otherwise ineligible immigrants on their own. Finally, by naturalizing, immigrants gain full welfare eligibility.”
Dec 19, 2023
Center for Immigration Studies
This doesn’t count the money sent out of the country using things like crypto currency. The fees are less and the money is transferred faster and more directly than “western union” types of transfer systems.