Yes — **undocumented workers contribute significantly** to the U.S. economy, even though their legal status prevents them from receiving most public benefits. Here’s how:
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### **1. Labor and productivity**
* There are an estimated **10–11 million undocumented immigrants** in the U.S., and around **7–8 million** are part of the labor force — that’s about **4–5% of all U.S. workers**.
* They are heavily represented in **agriculture, construction, food processing, hospitality, and service industries**, where their labor helps keep prices lower and fills chronic labor shortages.
* The **U.S. Chamber of Commerce** and **Farm Bureau** have both stated that removing all undocumented workers would cause severe economic disruption and reduce GDP.
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### **2. Taxes paid**
Despite lacking legal status, most undocumented immigrants **pay taxes**:
* About **50–75%** pay **federal, state, and local taxes** using **Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs)** or false Social Security numbers.
* The **IRS** estimates that **undocumented immigrants contribute around $9–13 billion each year** to Social Security and Medicare — even though they cannot collect those benefits later.
* The **Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP)** found they pay roughly **$11.7 billion per year** in state and local taxes (sales, property, income).
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### **3. Economic impact**
* The **Center for American Progress** estimated that deporting all undocumented workers would **reduce U.S. GDP by about $1.6 trillion over 20 years.**
* In states like California, Texas, and Florida, undocumented labor is essential to keeping agriculture, construction, and food industries running smoothly.
* Many undocumented workers are also **consumers** — they rent homes, buy food, cars, and pay utilities — supporting local businesses.
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### **4. Net fiscal effect**
* They **contribute more in taxes** than they consume in public services, because they are **ineligible** for most federal programs (no Social Security, Medicare, unemployment, or welfare).
* Some local costs (education, emergency healthcare) do exist, but multiple economic studies — including by the **Cato Institute** (a libertarian think tank) — conclude that **their net effect is positive or close to neutral**, especially at the federal level.
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**In short:**
Undocumented workers **boost U.S. GDP**, **support key industries**, and **pay billions in taxes** — often **without any access** to the benefits their taxes fund. Economists across the political spectrum generally agree they make a **net positive contribution** to the U.S. economy.
Would you like a breakdown by industry — showing how much undocumented labor adds to sectors like farming, construction, and hospitality?
