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Tuesday, July 6, 2010

What is the Cost of Illegal Immigrants?

The cost of harboring illegal immigrants in the United States is a staggering $113 billion a year -- an average of $1,117 for every “native-headed” household in America -- according to a study conducted by the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR).

The study, a copy of which was provided to FoxNews.com, “is the first and most detailed look at the costs of illegal immigration ever done,” says Bob Dane, director of communications at FAIR, a conservative organization that seeks to end almost all immigration to the U.S.

FAIR's opponents in the bitter immigration debate describe the organization as "extremist," though it is regularly called upon to testify before Congress.

Groups that support immigration reform immediately attacked FAIR's report and pointed out that it is the polar opposite of the Perryman Report, a 2008 study paid for by a liberal group now called the American Immigration Council. That study found that illegal immigration was actually a boon to the American economy. It estimated that illegal immigrants add $245 billion in Gross Domestic Product to the economy and account for 2.8 million jobs. - FOX News Story

I haven't read the Perryman Report from 2008, but I will say that it might very well tell a story in its self. 2.8 million jobs. If we took away 2.8 million jobs from illegals, put Legal Americans to work, what would the unemployment look like? How much could we save on unemployment costs? What would the impact be to the economy? hmmmmmmm

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