Immigrants pay off big for Texas' economy

. San Antonio Express-News ^ | 12/07/2006 | R.G. Ratcliffe

[GulfBreeze]

Let's do another study to see how valuable rapists and murderers are to our economy!

[Bigh4u2]

"And now the Dixie Chicks are all the rage..."

Yeah. They've been running them on PBS repeatedly.

I don't care how many times they show them, it's not changing mine, or others opinion towards them.

[mountn man]

Please pile on the negative comments, this shows a slight positive aspect of immigration - which is unacceptable.

Your wish is granted.

Here are my comments to an similar article posted yesterday.

government spends almost $11,000 per child in education

If $50,000 is an accurate number for each prisoner today,

[momfirst]

I am not going to argue either way but do keep in mind that Texas does not have a State income tax and therefore most taxes come from sales tax which the illegals do pay. California on the other hand is in a very different situation by having a State income tax which the illegals do not pay into

I'll up the ante on that one, in Oregon, we have NO sales tax, but a hefty state income tax.

[GolfHacker]

Factor the cost of educating the children of illegals, health care costs, state and local crime, and I'm afraid the Strayhorn report is nothing but Karl Rove talking points.

[mountn man]

Should have made a link to yesterdays article.

[avacado]

"I'll up the ante on that one, in Oregon, we have NO sales tax, but a hefty state income tax."

That situation would be the most difficult burden on a State to have illegals.

[Moonman62]

I wonder how much pedophiles or car thieves contribute to the economy?

I'm sure it's a positive amount according to this report. Think of the police officers, prison guards, bail bondsmen, lawyers, and judges that are kept employed.

[BenLurkin]

"But they also will send $5.2 billion home to their native countries this year,"

And that's NOT a drain on the American economy????

[lonestar67]

Texas and California are case studies in right and wrong immigration policy.

They both field millions from Mexico. Texas does a better job of assimilating and YES it does improve the economy.

Texas has one of the best economies in the nation and it is a popular immigration spot for Americans in the 50 states.

How can immigration be so wrong when Texas is so right? Texas ought to be a disaster if anti immigration advocates are even one percent right.

They are not correct. We are constantly told that immigrants will vote Democrat and swing the system. Really? There is no evidence of that in Texas. In fact, over the past 10 years of massive immigration, the Republicans have strengthened their hold on the state.

[BenLurkin]

No positive, slight or great, is worth the loss of our nation's social, political and cultural identity, nor does any positive justify the craven relinquishment of our sovereignty or our right to secure borders.

Just my opinion.

[DumpsterDiver]

Related article:

"The give-and-take of illegal immigration"

[sam_paine]

I simply don't believe these numbers. There was an agenda, from the get go,...

Find the irony in that statement!

[kerryusama04]

I differentiate between legal and illegal immigration. I embrace and am in awe of people who respect our system, as flawed as it is, and spend thousands of dollars and man hours to come here legally. I haven't anything positive to say about people who spit on our laws and way of life by sneaking in and living in the shadows. The gubament bears much blame for ignoring the border and not enforcing current law, but in the end, there is no excuse for breaking the law.

[Arrowhead1952]

I don't know why, but my meter is pegging after reading this.

[3AngelaD]

Go back and read the stories when they announced this "study." Of course I have an agenda, but I am not a government, nor am I purporting to be unbiased. They proved what they set out to prove. Bad scientific method.

[3AngelaD]

You forgot to mention the property tax.

[bonfire]

BIG time property tax.

[SF Republican]

I heard a phrase here in California: "We want everyone to stop moving here, the day after I arrive."

[avacado]

"You forgot to mention the property tax."

Illegals rent apartments and part of their rent goes to the owner to pay property taxes. So, in this case, illegals do pay property taxes.