Errors about Immigrants: The Government Spends Much More on the Native Born

Evaluates the allegation that government expenditures for immigrants are greater than for natives. A recent study, however, reports that immigrants actually pay more money into the government than they take out. The following areas of expenditures were evaluated: welfare expenditures, payments to the elderly, schooling, unemployment compensation, and Medicaid. Adding these together, the total government outlay totals approximately $3,800 for natives versus $2,200 for immigrants. Although “welfare” costs are greater per immigrant than per native, welfare spending constitutes only a small percentage of total government spending for both groups. Furthermore, the slightly greater expenditures for welfare is offset by spending in other categories on natives, such as costs for the elderly. Overall expenditures for immigrants are actually much less than for natives. (IP)