Today, Americans for Tax Fairness released a new analysis showing that undocumented immigrants pay a higher effective tax rate than 55 large corporations and several of the nation’s wealthiest individuals. The report also found that undocumented immigrants use far fewer federal resources than major corporations, which receive billions in subsidies. Additionally, the analysis highlighted undocumented workers’ significant contributions to key economic sectors, including agriculture, construction, and healthcare. 

Earlier today, ATF hosted a virtual press conference in Spanish, along with Somos Votores, Network Advocates for Catholic Social Justice and Congresswoman Delia Ramírez. The report was published after this conference. To view the recording, use this link.

“Trump and his cronies want Americans to blame our undocumented neighbors and coworkers for our broken economy, but our undocumented neighbors didn’t rig the system—the GOP’s billionaire and large corporate backers did,” said David Kass, ATF Executive Director. “Undocumented workers pay higher effective tax rates than many large corporations who receive massive subsidies from the federal government. Undocumented workers play a critical role in our communities and positively contribute to the economy in essential industries. The GOP wants to scapegoat this community to distract people from their real goals: passing massive cuts to programs working and middle-class families depend on to fund a $5 trillion giveaway to billionaires and mega-corporations – who are the ones who broke our system in the first place.” 

Highlights from New Analysis : 

In 2022, undocumented immigrants paid $96.7 billion in taxes.

• This includes $51.8 billion in federal taxes and $37.3 billion in state/local taxes.
• Their 10.1% state/local tax rate exceeds the top 1%’s 7.2% rate in most states.
• Work authorization could add $40-137 billion in yearly revenue.

Undocumented immigrants’ 5.27% federal tax rate exceeded that of some wealthy Americans and corporations.

• They paid higher rates than five of the richest Americans, according to ProPublica data.
• They also paid more in federal taxes than 55 mega-corporations, which contributed $3.7 billion on $200 billion in income.

Corporate subsidies massively outweigh undocumented immigrant benefits.

• In 2018, undocumented immigrants received $2.6B in Medicaid (0.4% of total). Undocumented immigrants are not eligible for Medicaid but can receive care for a medical emergency that requires immediate attention.
• 17 major corporations had 40,737 workers on Medicaid in just 6 states due to low wages and 58,383 workers on SNAP.
• Elon Musk’s companies alone received $13B in federal subsidies.

(Read full Analysis here)