New York, NY — A recent article in American Journal News highlighted a new study that emphasized “the positive impact immigrants consistently have on the U.S. economy.”
The report found that “some of the biggest contributors to economic growth are refugees and asylum seekers.” Migrants and asylum seekers contributed $3 billion in state and federal taxes in 2021 and they generated approximately $7 billion in income when they started new businesses.
“Now more than ever, New York and the federal government must work together to make sure migrants are safe and secure but are also on a path to contributing to their full potential. Research continually shows that asylum seekers and migrants are fueling economic growth and we must help connect migrants and asylum seekers with jobs and opportunities. Our leaders in New York, Albany, and Washington should be working together to support immigrants and expand work authorizations, which will help our state benefit from the increase in tax revenue, a more skilled workforce, and a stronger economy,” said Murad Awawdeh, Executive Director, New York Immigration Coalition.
Read highlights below:
American Journal News: Immigrants boost New York’s economy, new study finds
In recent weeks, immigration has taken center stage in American politics. The senate is mired in protracted border security negotiations and House Republicans are threatening to shut down the federal government over the so-called “migrant crisis.” But often lost in this hoopla is any discussion of the positive impact immigrants consistently have on the U.S. economy.
A new study from the American Immigration Council highlights how immigrants, including asylum seekers, are generating billions of dollars in revenue for New York state. Immigrants make up roughly one-fifth of the state’s total population but account for more than 25% of its workforce.
Some of the biggest contributors to economic growth are refugees and asylum seekers. The employment rate of New York’s refugee population is a staggering 91%. Annually, they contribute more than $1 billion in federal taxes.
The same study found that the state’s huge health care industry is sustained by immigrant labor. More than 25% of New York’s nurses and 50% of the state’s home health care aides are recent arrivals. Immigrants are also twice as likely to work as physicians and surgeons compared to their American-born counterparts.
And among the newcomers are more than 30% of all entrepreneurs in the state, generating approximately $7 billion in income.
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In 2021, according to the American Immigration Council study, undocumented immigrants in New York state paid $3 billion in state and federal taxes. Asylum seekers in New York who were granted temporary protected status contributed more than $268 million. DACA recipients paid more than $2 billion.
Last October, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, announced that the state had identified more than 18,000 job openings available to asylum seekers and migrants.
“Migrants and asylum seekers came here to work — so let’s put them to work,” Governor Hochul said. “Right now, we have a migrant crisis and a workforce crisis. By connecting work-eligible individuals with jobs and opportunity in New York, we can solve them both and secure a brighter future for all New Yorkers.”
