Summary

Immigration has become a hot button topic for conservatives and liberals alike who seek to address the issue of millions of undocumented immigrants crossing from Mexico and Latin America to seek work in the U.S.

Many anti-immigrant activists have claimed that immigrants cost the state and federal government millions of dollars in taxpayer dollars lost through government programs. Texas Comptroller Carole Strayhorn recently released a report that contradicted these claims.

The Texas Comptroller's Report

The Comptroller's Report, "Undocumented Immigrants in Texas
December 2006" found that there are between 1.4 and 1.6 million undocumented people in Texas, and that they pay more in (property and sales) taxes than they receive in governement assistance (including public education).

In fact, the report demonstrated that eliminating the undocumented workers from the Texas economy would hurt many major economic inidcators for the state - including employment, the gross state product and personal income.

Gov. Perry's Position

During the governor's race, Gov. Perry ran as a candidate who took "tough" stances on immigration. After the election, the govornor acknowledged that divisive legislation is not productive.

Links:

Comptroller's Report on Undocumented Immigrants in Texas, December 2006