Do Illegal Immigrants Pay Taxes?

The issue of illegal immigration has been a torn on the side of every political candidate in the US. Of course, the topic has had a fair share of airtime in last year’s presidential debate; however, the plans to address the issue have been very vague and there is a lack of laws that specifically answer the problems point by point. But before we go into details of the efforts done in addressing the problem, let us first get to the bottom of why there is a massive call to stop illegal immigration.

62% of Americans believe that illegal aliens are a cost burden on U.S. taxpayers, while 32% of Americans believe that illegal aliens pay their fair share in taxes (Gallup, July 2010).

There is a long list of negative effects of illegal immigration put forward by certain groups and one that has been often highlighted is the issue on tax. As cited by anti illegal immigrant proponents, the illegal aliens drain much of the tax-based resources and Americans stand to lose in this situation because they are the taxpayers. Proponents have vehemently claimed that illegal immigrants do not pay taxes and yet they use up many tax-based resources. Add to that the government’s cost on maintaining these illegal immigrants. Now, this begs the question, “Do illegal immigrants pay taxes?” There have been a lot of misconceptions regarding this topic and it is just proper to put an end to this.

To be able to get a job in the United States, one should produce a social security number for tax purposes and once you start working, taxes will be taken out of your pay check, illegal immigrant or not. Therefore, even illegal immigrants are paying to the system but will never have the right to collect from the social security. Also, illegal immigrants pay sales tax as well as taxes in renting an apartment.

A lot of Americans are probably not aware of this fact. Many of us perhaps have never personally seen the hardship in certain places such as Mexico and anywhere else. And if you are living comfortably in your luxurious flat and spending most of your time in front of your state-of-the-art flat screen TV, you do not have the right to blame these people who are just victims of poverty. They are just doing what is best to feed their family and survive.

78% of likely U.S. voters believe that mass immigration has adversely impacted the quality and cost of the U.S. health care system (Pulse Opinion Research, August 2009).

If the United States REALLY wants to put an end to the increasing population of illegal immigrants, it should focus its attention to the businesses and employers. People must stop condemning the victims of poverty. In the first place, people from different countries go to the U.S. because of the ‘opportunities’ and they would move heaven and earth just to be an immigrant, even with illegal means.

We need to open our eyes. These people whom we call ‘illegal immigrants’ work hard and long hours in such conditions that most of us could never tolerate. There are even times when their lack of ability to speak English angers most of us but have we really given them the credit that they deserve for knowing our language than we know of theirs?

It’s so easy to condemn these illegal immigrants and blame them for our poor economy but that is just unfair. Every person has his right to search for a better life. The U.S. should punish those individuals who provide low-income jobs illegally for the illegal immigrants. These illegal immigrants are just victims.

Tagged with: airtime • fair share • illegal aliens • illegal immigrants • illegal immigration • illegal immigration facts • political candidate • presidential debate • proponents • renting an apartment • social security number

Filed under: cost of illegal immigration • illegal immigration facts

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