Immigration Issues

Urban Institute Study: Immigrants In New York

A new study from the Urban Institute concludes that legal immigrants in New York state make more money and pay more in taxes the longer they live there. After 15 years of residence, they earn and pay more than natives. But they also have higher rates of welfare use than natives.

The study is not without its critics, however. They claim it neglects the total costs immigrants impose on the welfare, education and criminal justice systems.

  • The study found that of the nearly 3.4 million foreign-born residents of New York state, 1.4 million are legal immigrants who have not become citizens, 1.2 million are naturalized citizens, 200,000 are refugees and 540,000 are illegal immigrants.

  • Legal immigrants and naturalized citizens make up 15.4 percent of the population and pay 15.2 percent of federal, state and local taxes -- a total of $17.8 billion.

  • Legal immigrants earn slightly more on average than natives -- $18,700 vs. $18,100 .

  • Illegal immigrants make about $12,100 a year and refugees make only $8,300.

Researchers found immigrants were more likely to avail themselves of welfare in 1995 than natives. Welfare was defined to include public assistance and Supplemental Security Income payments for the elderly or disabled.

  • While 11 percent of natives received welfare then, the rate among immigrants was 17 percent.

  • Almost one-quarter of households headed by legal immigrants who had not yet become citizens received welfare in 1995 -- before new federal restrictions were adopted -- and four out of 10 refugee households were on welfare.

  • But legal immigrants who had become naturalized citizens had lower welfare use than U.S. natives, at about 8 percent.

The researchers found that many refugees in New York -- most of them from the former Soviet Union -- are still dependent on welfare years after they enter the country.

Sources: Jeffrey S. Passel and Rebecca L. Clark, "Immigrants in New York: Their Legal Status, Incomes, and Taxes," April 1998, Urban Institute, 2100 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037, (202) 833-7200; Celia W. Dugger, "Legal Immigrants and Economic Parity," New York Times, April 30, 1998.

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