Immigration laws must provide ways for Mexican workers to enter and remain in the U.S. in both temporary and permanent status with protections to assure that they be given the dignity and respect they deserve and have earned.

This community opposes initiatives that call for tougher border security as the ONLY appropriate immigration reform. We further concur, that any legislation must be governed by the principals of: protecting our economy and that of our nation’s small businesses; providing for a strong accountable guest worker program; protecting our borders based on humanitarian principles and reuniting families, the cornerstone of U.S. immigration policy.

Do immigrants pay their fair share of taxes?
Undocumented immigrants contribute to the U.S. economy not only through their labor, but through the taxes they pay. Between one-half and three-quarters of undocumented immigrants pay federal and state income taxes, social security taxes and Medicare taxes. And when they buy anything at retailers, all undocumented immigrants pay sales taxes for goods and services (Immigration Policy Center 11-07). This includes property taxes that are implicit in apartment rents.

According to the 2005 Economic Report of the President “undocumented immigrants contribute to the tax rolls but are INELIGIBLE for almost all Federal public assistance programs and most major Federal-state programs�

Furthermore, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has concluded that undocumented immigrants account for a major portion of the billions of dollars paid into the system under names and social security numbers that don’t match SSA records and which payees can never draw on. As of October 2005 that figure stands at $520 billion. Contributing- SI ! Collecting NO! (in any language!) Rather than draining state resources, undocumented immigrants are in some cases SUBSIDIZING services that only documented residents can access.

The consumer purchasing power of undocumented immigrants- what they spend on goods, services and housing- not only creates new jobs, but also provides federal, state, and local governments with additional revenue through sales, income, business and property taxes. In other words, spending by undocumented immigrants has an economic “multiplier effect.�

Do immigrants contribute to the economic growth?
American employers, in a wide variety of industries clearly recognize the value of Mexican immigrant workers. No secret, Mexican immigrant workers play an increasingly vital role in our U.S. economy.

Immigrants are essential to the nation’s business community and contribute to the growing needs of the country’s workforce, comprising large percentages of the workforce in numerous industries. Immigrants have helped to fuel the economic boom of the 1990s and their talents are part of the bedrock of the 21st century American economy. As companies and businesses continue to expand, amid predications of continued growth over the next decade, the need for a well-equipped immigrant workforce will be more important as we strive to compete in a global economy.

In the history of this great nation, many of our immigrant forefathers weathered seemingly impossible odds to achieve the American Dream. Today we Hispanics continue their vision in pursuit of that dream, and to do so while contributing to the nation’s growth and economy.

I understand the debate on immigration reform. I can personally relate to it. I would not be here if were not for my visionary immigrant parents who worked hard, paid taxes, contributed to the economy and sent 5 sons to defend this country and to protect its freedoms.. The US was not their country of origin, but for many, many years the U.S. was their home. Our Hispanic values are American values ... same ones - family, hard work and sacrifice.

Adelante Juntos,

Maria Monreal-Cameron
President and CEO