Immigration question

[Narkos]

My wingnut mother just got telling me that California's high tax rate is a result of illegal immigration. My spidey sense says this is all bullshit, but she referenced an op-ed in the LA times (http://www.latimes.com/news/columnists/la-me-cap2-2009feb02,0,418500.column ). She was going on and on about how high her taxes were as a result of all those "illegals". Based on this guy's numbers, Californians pay an average of $5 billion in services to illegal immigrants. My questions are, don't illegal immigrants pay taxes? Don't they contribute enormously to the economy of California? If right wingers are so serious about lowering their tax rates because of illegal immigrants, shouldn't the employers of said immigrants be prosecuted? Does $5 billion in taxes, even if that number is correct, substantially lead to an increased tax burden overall?

I have a policy of not engaging my folks in political discussions, since it's just so damn frustrating. But when they talk about "illegals" it really chaps my ass because it makes them sound racist. If anyone could provide some hard numbers or good places to get solid info, I'd appreciate it.

[bemildred]

1. Do illegal immigrants receive more government benefits than they pay in taxes?

One of the most common criticisms of illegal immigration is that immigrants pay little or no taxes, yet still receive government services paid for by tax-paying U.S. citizens. This criticism was repeated again recently by Missouri Treasurer Sarah Steelman as she opened her campaign for governor of that state:

The Republican presented a report to a Senate committee, expounding on the burden that illegal workers place on the state and federal government. Such workers and their employers avoided paying between $242 million and $449 million a year in income and payroll taxes for Social Security, Medicare and unemployment insurance, she said.

“So the problem is quite evident,” Steelman said. “It also creates an unfair advantage for employers who are not paying those taxes over companies that do pay the required taxes.”

Steelman, it turned out, misread a study on the topic and overestimated the amount of unpaid taxes. But she asserted that her general claim -- that the hiring of illegal immigrants robs government of taxes. Is it true?

http://redblueamerica.com/truthornot/2008-04-03/do-illegal-immigrants-receive-more-government-benefits-they-pay-taxes-2300

[2Design]

5. prop 13 n/t

[padia]

2. I know that as a county social worker

with in home supportive services(IHSS)that recipients have to have a ss# to receive our benefits . I think the question that needs to be asked is are they spending more than they are collecting in benefits. Can this be made up if employers pay payroll taxes instead of inexpensive under the table labor. Also the question what is the expense to the rest of the community if the safety net is not there for them, any type of communicable disease they may spread if they are not treated. And the conditions they are exposed to can be a threat to us all there is documentation about them being male prostitutes and spreading HIV because of not being able to sustain themselves.

[EFerrari]

3. Yes, they do spend more than they use. But why you should worry

about immigrants spreading AIDs more than any other demographic is sort of creepy.

[padia]

4. It is not whether a specific demographic

is spreading illnesses but that they will be denied services out of hate. That will affect all of us. When we start saying that a group does not deserve services of this or that we all run the risk of suffering. If you like instead we could look at TB breaking out in L.A. that could lead to an international epidemic in probably a week. The point is still the same if people are in our communities are in jeopardy we all run the risk of suffering. The attitude of if we all die so that we do not have to help "that one" is not an attitude that I want predominating my world.

[EFerrari]

6. There is a public health concern. On the other hand, a lot of people

are denied health care in this society, not only undocumented workers.