The migrant crisis is hitting American wallets hard. A study by FAIR reveals a staggering $150 billion price tag for 2023.
This figure accounts for various services provided to 20 million illegal migrants. State and local governments bear most of this financial burden.
Massachusetts Faces $1 Billion Budget Shortfall
Massachusetts is grappling with a significant budget deficit. Republicans claim Democrats are secretly diverting funds to address the migrant crisis.
The state GOP has filed a FOIA request for transparency. FAIR estimates the actual cost to Massachusetts could be around $3 billion.
New York Struggles with Multibillion-Dollar Migrant Expenses
New York’s migrant crisis is proving expensive. The state comptroller projects costs of $4.3 billion through 2025.
New York City alone expects to spend $3 billion in fiscal year 2024. FAIR’s estimates suggest the true cost could be even higher.
FAIR Study Reveals Hidden Costs of Illegal Immigration
FAIR’s study goes beyond emergency aid calculations. It factors in education, healthcare, law enforcement, and welfare costs.
The research also includes expenses for US-born children of illegal immigrants. This comprehensive approach yields higher cost estimates than many state reports.
Every US State Impacted by Migrant Crisis Costs
No state has escaped the financial impact of the migrant crisis. Even West Virginia, with the lowest costs, spent $33 million.
Half of all states paid over $100 million each. Nineteen states saw expenses exceeding $1 billion.
California Leads Nation in Migrant-Related Expenditures
California tops the list of states affected by migrant costs. The state spent nearly $31 billion on illegal immigrants and their children.
Texas follows with $13 billion in expenses. Florida, New York, and New Jersey round out the top five.
Migrants’ Tax Contributions Offset Some Costs
Illegal migrants do contribute to tax revenues. FAIR estimates their tax payments at about $32 billion annually.
However, this amount covers only a fraction of the total costs. The net cost to taxpayers remains around $150 billion per year.
Migrant Crisis Costs Surge $35 Billion Since 2017
The financial impact of illegal immigration has grown rapidly. In 2017, FAIR estimated the cost at $116 billion.
By 2023, this figure had jumped to $150 billion. This represents a $35 billion increase in just five years.
Over 1.3 Million Migrants Released into US
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has been busy. Between March 2023 and July 2024, they released over 1.3 million people into the country.
This figure doesn’t include undetected border crossers. The influx continues to strain resources across the nation.
Critics Call Migrant Spending an ‘Atrocity’
Some view the high spending on illegal migrants as unjust. Chris Clem, a former Border Patrol chief, criticizes these expenditures.
He argues that current policies encourage illegal immigration. Clem believes these migrants receive opportunities unavailable to many citizens.
