Headline: Undocumented Immigrants Contribute to Tax Revenue
Article: It's a lesser-known fact in the immigration discussion that undocumented immigrants contribute billions in federal taxes each year. This includes both tax returns and payroll deductions, according to experts.
The National Immigration Law Center outlines several reasons why undocumented immigrants pay taxes:
- It demonstrates compliance with federal tax laws.
- It can help establish "good moral character" for potential future legal status.
- Tax records can serve as proof of work history and presence in the U.S., which might be beneficial if immigration reform occurs.
Some critics argue that undocumented immigrants use stolen Social Security numbers to pay taxes. However, many pay taxes without a Social Security number by using an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). The Bipartisan Policy Center notes that most ITIN tax returns are believed to be filed by undocumented immigrants, though some legal noncitizens also use this method.
In 2019, the IRS reported over 2.5 million ITIN-filed tax returns, contributing nearly $6 billion. Additionally, undocumented workers contribute billions to Social Security through payroll taxes. In 2010, unauthorized workers contributed approximately $12 billion to Social Security, according to estimates.
Social media posts from immigrant rights advocates have highlighted this issue during tax season. The National Immigration Law Center pointed out that undocumented immigrants fund programs they cannot access. In 2017, Belén Sisa's viral post challenged misconceptions about undocumented immigrants' contributions, emphasizing their role in the economy.
Jose Antonio Vargas, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and activist, also shared his experiences, noting that undocumented immigrants help fund systems that can detain and deport them.