Discussion: Legalizing illegal aliens and tax revenue

[demolishhollywood]

If the Bush administration succeeds in legalizing millions of illegal aliens, would that cause a significant gain in tax revenue? Most illegal aliens are already employed, so my guess is that thier contribution would be huge. I am off base here?

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Most of them don't make enough to owe any income taxes.

[demolishhollywood]

I thought I was brilliant. What was I thinking? ;)

[Josh in PA]

Agree with the first poster.

If anything, they'll get money back, re: Child Tax Credit/Earned Income Credit.

[buffyt]

I agree with you EPU

[the invisib1e hand]

I had mexican employees under the clinton administration -- the problem certainly predates Bush.

Trust me, they make enough money.

This is a sound plan to right an inherited issue that needs righting.

[buffyt]

You could have posted this article on your thread. http://www.washtimes.com/national/20041110-123424-5467r.htm Bush revives bid to legalize illegal aliens

[Little Ray]

Most of 'em don't make enough to be taxed. Instead, they will be getting more welfare through "earned income tax credits."

[Bikers4Bush]

Yes, you are off base.

[Viet-Boat-Rider]

A recent study by a university (can't remember which, wish I would have saved it) says that illegals are costing the American economy something like a Billion dollars a year more in the cost of social services then they pay in taxes.

Illegals need to be kicked out of the Country and they need to wait in line and obey our immigration laws like everyone else.

[savage henry]

A net loss for sure.

[bunky]

The Number 1 Criminal Activity being investigated by the IRS Criminal Investigation Division (CID) is the not drugs, money laundering, or prostitution, but the EARNED INCOME CREDIT. It is a huge government giveaway gone out of control. This will definitely make it worse.

[reelfoot]

It's my understanding many of them deal in cash. Legalizing them and hoping to pick up some of their money by means of the income tax is not the solution. Deport those who are here illegally; that's the rule of law. For those still here, abolish the income tax and pass a national sales tax. When they go to WalMart for a new color TV, you'll finally get them to pay some portion of the cost of government.

[FastCoyote]

"Trust me, they make enough money.
This is a sound plan to right an inherited issue that needs righting."

A good portion of illegals are part of a thief culture who will not pay taxes for generations. They do not ever intend to learn English. Plenty of fine hispanics, but it is foolish to believe we aren't getting a lot of the dregs of Mexico.

[politicalwit]

A second tier of illegals would be created. First tier creating a bureaucratic mess and the second tier (illegals) working for less than tier one. Until employers are heavily penalized with fines and prison you won't curb the flow of illegals.

[kevkrom]

Most of them don't make enough to owe any income taxes.

There are payroll taxes, though (15.3% split evenly between employer and employee).

[demolishhollywood]

I was thinking that president Bush has some underlying reason for legalizing illegal aliens. He doesn't have to worry about reelection in 2008, so if it's such a mistake, why would an administration of brainiacs still do it? There's no need to pander. What's the point?

[the invisib1e hand]

we certainly have to deal with that, as well as the dregs of America.

[Grendel9]

We know an elderly couple who run a small horse-boarding farm a few miles north of the Wisc/IL border. For the past 7 years they have had 1 Mexican worker in charge of cleaning their stables/barns. They know he lives in Illinois, is green carded and speaks decent English. He brings in 2 or 3 other fellows who do NOT speak English and all communication goes through him; whether they are legal or illegal in this country has never been asked. They do very good work and are paid good wages which are not taxed.
I've talked to the headman and know that he has
family here as well as back in Mexico. Over the years he
has made several trips back home to visit. I'd sure like
to ask him what he thinks about the Bush proposal...just to get another view of the problem. Under the ground rules presented by Bush, this man would be eligible since he's been here for quite a while and is gainfully employed. But
how does that apply to his family who live here? Are they
legal as well if Dad/husband has a green card? In all honesty, I don't know enough about the legal/illegal status
of Mexican nationals to make rational decisions...other than the horrible border situation.

[justanotherfreeper]

Dr. George Borjas of Harvard did a recent study that said illegal aliens are a net drain of about $2500 per alien. That's because of things like health care, educating illegal aliens children, and other infrastructure costs. Illegal aliens cost about $10 billion a year at the federal level, and about $40 billion more to individual states. Almost half of California's budget deficit is attributable to illegal aliens.

The best think tank on this issue, bar none, is Center for Immigration Studies, a group whose research on the impact of illegal aliens on our economy are the gold standard.