Cost of illegal aliens in Va. soars
A new study from a nonprofit group that wants tighter border security and immigration controls finds the costs of providing certain services to those in Virginia illegally is about $625 per household.
That number represents the costs per household after deducting for money illegal workers give to the state by way of tax revenues, the Federation for American Immigration Reform states in its report, "The Costs of Illegal Immigration to Virginians."
On an annual basis, taxpayers in the commonwealth pay $1.7 billion per year to educate and provide medical care for illegal immigrants, as well as incarcerate those who break other laws, FAIR reports.
"These costs," wrote report author Jack Martin, director of special projects, "are especially burdensome at a time when the state is confronting a major general fund budget deficit of $1.1 billion."
In a telephone interview, Martin also referred to the indirect costs borne by residents that come in the form of remittances—or, when the state's illegal immigrant working force sends money home to relatives outside America. The FAIR report includes an estimate from the Inter-American Development Bank that remittances from Virginia to Latin America in 2006 surpassed $1.1 billion.
"That really has a significant impact on the economy of a state," Martin said. "When large flows of money that are earned in the state are leaving the state … production and jobs are diminished in the state."
A hate group?
Perceptions of FAIR vary, and the group's background and mission have been called into question on more than one occasion—even by Prince William County residents.
An email requesting comment sent to the operators of the blog AntiBVBL, a group with members who oppose the Prince William immigration resolution that allows for residency checks on those arrested and that partners with the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement for extradition purposes, was not returned in time for deadline.
But on its site, members note that FAIR was "declared a hate group" in 2008 by the Southern Poverty Law Center, a Montgomery, Ala., nonprofit civil rights law firm.
At the same time, the nonprofit Capital Research Center, a Washington, D.C., group that researches the backgrounds and sources of funding for other nonprofits and foundations, characterized the Southern Poverty Law Center in a 2006 report as an organization that "exaggerates the scope of racism in the United States to frighten donors into opening their wallets."
Martin said FAIR has already received some negative feedback on its report.
"There already has been a response from the opposition in which they have taken issue with the costs of illegal immigrant children who are born in their country," he said. "They say that you shouldn't track those costs because the children are legal. Our answer to that is the costs wouldn't have been generated if the parents hadn't been here illegally."
The bulk of the $1.7 billion reportedly goes toward schools. FAIR finds that Virginia tax dollars pay for the education of 95,000 children of illegal immigrants each year, for a total of $1.56 billion.
"Nearly 8 percent of the K-12 public school students in Virginia are children of illegal aliens," according to the report, "and nearly three-fourths of them are in Northern Virginia public schools."
The state pays for another $100 million each year for health care for illegal aliens, FAIR finds. And "the cost of incarcerating illegal aliens in Virginia's state, county and independent city prisons amounts to more than $45 million a year," the report continues.
Corey Stewart, chairman of the Board of County Supervisors and one of the key proponents of Prince William's immigration resolution, said he hadn't yet read the FAIR report.
Supporting figure
But some local statistics collected after Prince William's policy went into effect support the study's findings regarding the extent of the costs of illegal immigration to the community, Stewart said.
"We received information that right after we initiated our crackdown, the number of births by women who were either uninsured or not covered by Medicaid had dropped by 500 births per year," he said. "That's significant because that's how the hospitals were able to identify who illegal immigrants were. If you're legal, you either have insurance or are covered by Medicaid."
Martin said the purpose of the report was to give local activists the tools they need to push for tighter immigration controls, and that one clear step Virginia could take to offset these costs would be to pass legislation requiring employers to verify the work documents of employees.
"That's similar to what Arizona and South Carolina have adopted," he said. "It would go a long way toward discouraging illegal immigrants from coming to this state and at the same time, encouraging those who are here working illegally to leave."
Staff writer Cheryl Chumley can be reached at 703-670-1907.
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Reader Reactions
“I am somewhat insulted by the insinuation I am concerned about immigrants in my neighborhood”
This was not directed at you vmj, but at the scores of comments made over the past year on these pages.
Comments such as “parking, lawns, music, jabbering in Spanish, over-crowding etc” are all directed as results of illegal immigration.
Except we don’t have a clue if these immigrants are legal or not - so the real complaint can be boiled down to an unhappiness of “change”.
Well trust me, PWC has “changed” a lot since I moved here in 1960 - and not all to my liking, but “change” regardless.
Many people expect things to stay the same. Mr. Jones working the pharmacy counter, Mrs. Smith working as the bank teller ...
But back to your concern: It is a fact of life that the higher income neighborhoods are more insulated from change than entry level neighborhoods.
I have witnessed Georgetown South go from a brand new middle class neighborhood, to a rental neighborhood and then to a entry level homeownership neighborhood as it is now.
If you live in a neighborhood that is entry level for home buyers, you can expect that it will change over quicker than an established upper middle class neighborhood.
I don’t have any problems with immigrants in my neighborhood, and no - it is not a gated community.
I would hope the average middle-aged American can afford a better neighborhood than an entry level home buyer. If they choose to stay in an entry level neighborhood, then that become their choice - and they have no right to expect it to be frozen in 1985 forever.
As I’ve noted and it seems everyone else has noted, laws are on the books to make living in PWC enjoyable.
If this is not happening, then talk to the BOCS to find out why.
ray; “vmj, I’ll point out I’m not “for” illegal immigration, I just don’t think has quite the impact that many of these posters do. From what I hear from many, it is an IMMIGRATION issue, legal or not, that concerns them.“
First and foremost illegals have to be deported. Then and only then reform. No one is against immigration or immigrants but unchecked, it is a problem.
The message I get here is deport illegals and control our borders. Then and only then reform with a common sense approach.
There comes a time when every country has to be more prudent in the area of immigration and we are there. Not closed boarders, but greatly restricted.
“I do understand the concerns of people that live in neighborhoods that have changed due to an immigrant influx, but to that I say move up the food chain to a new neighborhood more to your traditional likings.“
My neighborhood is just fine now thank you. Corey Stewart has been a great asset to this particular problem and I, for one, am thankful. It is not the ‘immigrant flux’ ray, it is the illegals. Why should anyone be forced out of a neighborhood they have loved and lived in for years because of an apathetic government. Lawns are not the problem, criminals are. Illegals are criminals, plain and simple. They don’t just hurt us cosmetically, but financially as well.
I am somewhat insulted by the insinuation I am concerned about immigrants in my neighborhood, but isn’t that just the crux of the problem with the way some people think. These same people start with the name calling and everyone is bending over backwards to proclaim they are not prejudice. This is about a criminal element ‘illegals’, not about law abiding immigrants. But that was a good try at changing the subject matter…
“Most every state in Union is struggling for funds. Showing the financial impact of illegal immigration will get heard.
Strike while the iron is hot.“
It is being heard, but ignored. Arnold admits a quarter of California’s deficit is caused by the costs of illegal aliens, but insists that’s not a big deal. Washington - ditto. Tens of millions of Americans living in once decent middle class neighborhoods have no choice of changing ‘neighborhoods’. That is a shallow unrealistic viewpoint. It must be pleasant to be insulated from the ‘in your face’ realities that exist for the middle class in many parts of the country. In many places, only gated communities can achieve such insulation. But, of course, these are the cozy dwelling places of the wealthy elites. They never have 6 to 12 families per house or 5 or 6 cars parked on the front lawn.
“There’s the answer to the economic argument. I totally agree.“
Then that is the message that should be refined and used.
Most every state in Union is struggling for funds. Showing the financial impact of illegal immigration will get heard.
Strike while the iron is hot.
vmj, I’ll point out I’m not “for” illegal immigration, I just don’t think has quite the impact that many of these posters do. From what I hear from many, it is an IMMIGRATION issue, legal or not, that concerns them.
As I pointed out time and time again last year, unless you are wearing official HSM-issued SuperSpy Illegal Immigration Spotter Sunglasses, you can’t tell a legal immigrant from an illegal immigrant standing in front of a 7-11.
When someone starts their conversation with “illegals don’t mow their grass” I know we have a sunglass wearer!
It would certainly benefit me if illegals were driven out of the construction business - but not so much I care that deeply.
I do understand the concerns of people that live in neighborhoods that have changed due to an immigrant influx, but to that I say move up the food chain to a new neighborhood more to your traditional likings.
“raywilliams Yes either party cares about American Citizens….See if you agree with this!“
Black Saint, I don’t recall saying Washington “cares” about American Citizens.
If you read through the earlier posts, you will note I said Washington is aligned with Big Business - in fact, a wholly-owned division of Big Business.
Illegal immigration is a economic issue that benefits Big Business at the expense of taxpayers (go figure) and Washington asks ‘how high’ when Big Business says ‘jump’.
Republicans and Democrats alike.
New Zealand anyone?
raywilliams Yes either party cares about American Citizens….See if you agree with this!
Our government fails the most basic and primary task & duty of government, to protect this Nation and its Citizens from invasion and enforce its laws.
They refuse to abide by our Constitution, refuse to enforce our Immigration Laws and refuse to honor their Oath of Office!
Our Government, past & present, Republican & Democrat, have allowed the invasion of 20 to 30 million criminals and uneducated peons which is the largest invasion of any Nation, at any time, by any means & in direct violation of Article IV, Section IV of our Constitution.
This refusal to abide by our Constitution or enforce our Immigration Laws should be classified as Treason of the most foul kind, & as grounds for impeachment & trials for Treason!
Not only have they allowed the invasion, they force American tax payers to pay Billions on Billions of dollars to provide Welfare, Prison cells, Educate the invaders numerous children, and free medical care, at the same time the invading horde break numerous laws and massive document fraud, & are destroying our schools, hospitals, communities, culture and standard of living while Robbing, Raping, Killing & Assaulting American Citizens at an rate the terrorist can only dream about.
Recent statements in Mexico from both President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary something needs to be done. “Our inability to prevent weapons from being illegally smuggled across the border to arm these criminals causes the deaths of police officers, soldiers, and civilians,“ she said.
But no mention, concern or care that their refusal to stop the Massive Invasion of Illegal Aliens pouring across our borders or enforce our immigration laws that causes an estimated 25 Americans deaths per day and 10,s of thousands victims of Assault, Robberies, Rapes, Identify thief, and other assorted crimes committed by the invading horde of Illegal Aliens from Mexico on American citizens each year!
It is a telling indictment & shows their Empathy & Compassion of our Politicians & their priorities when they express 100,s of time more concern over three Terrorist being water broader than the havoc & crimes of Illegal Aliens against American Citizens!
Most of our Politicians in Wash. DC are wading knee deep in innocent American blood and suffering because they put Self Interest ahead of the interest of American Citizens & the future of this Nation!
The Welfare vote for the Democrats to further their Socialist Agenda and the Slave Labor for their Pay Masters in the Chamber of Commerce & Business for the Republicans is more important to our Corrupt power mad Politicians than the lives and safety of Americans citizens!
The Citizens of this Nation have not sacrificed with blood, sweat & tears for over 200 years & obeyed the Laws of the land, paid the taxes, and fought the wars & built this Nation to see Corrupt politicians turn this Nation into the United States of Mexico without a shot being fired, to serve their demented, nefarious goals and lust for power!
The facts are it did not work then, it will not fly now.
No amnesty. Deport…it just makes more economic sense…
You ray stated a better way to argue this was economically, Black Saint did just that.
Black Saint; “But deportations is not necessary, just close our borders and enforcing our Laws with E-Verify. Fine companies, imprison executives and cut out the welfare they will self deport. No jobs, No Welfare equals no Illegal Aliens!“
There’s the answer to the economic argument.
I totally agree.
“no Liberal Democrat will address the 500 pound gorilla in the room”
And I assume pointless to remind Mr. Black Saint that it was Republican President Ronald Reagan that provided amnesty in 1986 and Republican President George W. Bush that wanted Immigration Reform that would have amounted to amnesty AND GWB that failed to secure our borders during his recent eight year administration - while spending billions to secure the Iraqi borders.
Plenty of blame to go around to keep the political mudslinging out of this.
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