Generations of immigrants and refugees have contributed their ideas, hard work, resilience, and traditions to the United States.
When our nation allows newcomers to be full participants in our communities and contributors to our economy, our nation thrives. Federal immigration policies should recognize the gifts, contributions, and struggles of immigrants, ensuring justice and protection for all.
# Immigrants contribute to our economy, families, and communities
1 in 8 people living in the U.S. today is an immigrant and 1 in 9 U.S. residents is a native-born citizen with at least one immigrant parent.^1
Immigrants added approximately $2 trillion to the U.S. GDP in 2016.^2
Immigrants start businesses at twice the rate of native-born citizens.^3
Almost half of Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants to the United States or their children.^4
About 16.7 million people in the U.S. – nearly 8.2 million of whom are citizens – have at least one undocumented family member living with them in the same household.^5
66% of undocumented immigrants have been living in the U.S. for 10 years or longer and are integrated into U.S. schools, places of worship, businesses, and communities.^6
# The benefits of welcoming policies and immigration reform
Immigration reform would increase U.S. GDP by an estimated $1.5 trillion over 10 years.^7
The increased earning power of newly legalized workers would translate to increased tax revenues of $4.5 to $5.4 billion in the first 3 years.^8
Wage increases for immigrants would also increase the wages for low and high skilled native-born workers due to a rise in the “wage floor.”^9
DACA beneficiaries will contribute $460.3 billion to the U.S. GDP over the next decade.^10
Counties that limit interaction between federal immigration authorities and local law enforcement – or “sanctuary” counties – had 35.5 fewer crimes committed per 10,000 people and an average poverty rate that’s 2.3% lower than non-sanctuary counties.^11 When communities with large immigrant populations can trust local authorities they are less likely to be targeted for crime and more likely to access public benefits.
# A failing system
In fall 2017, there was a backlog of approximately 4.7 million family-based visas. The wait time varies depending on country of birth, for example siblings of a U.S. citizen from the Philippines would need to have filed 23 years ago to be processed this year.^12
Between 1990 and 2013, the number of undocumented immigrants more than tripled from 3.5 million to 11.2 million.^13
Between 2010 and 2014 1 in 12 children in the U.S. was a citizen living with at least one undocumented family member, totaling 5.9 million children.^14
In 2014, 26% of the immigrant population was undocumented (totaling 11.1 million people), which makes up 3.5% of the total US population.^15
# Pushing for legislative reform
If the U.S. fails to provide opportunities for all immigrants to become full parts of our communities, our country risks missing out countless benefits. Immigrants are a core part of our society, and our policy focus should be on integrating immigrants and making the legal system easier to navigate. Forcibly removing long-time contributors to our communities is in direct violation of our values as Americans and as people of faith. FCNL continues to work for a system that allows for immigrants to flourish as integral, contributing members of society while providing them the basic rights and respect of all our neighbors and other community members.