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The death toll from Hurricane Helene tops 200 as search and rescue efforts continue in North Carolina, community health centers in Florida struggle to serve patients as storm recovery strains resources, a new program offers Ohio residents relief from medical debt and voter advocacy groups say poor maintenance has led to inaccurate voter rolls in Indiana.

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Biden voices concerns over Israeli strikes on Iran, Special Counsel Jack Smith detailed Trump's pre-January 6th pressure on Pence, Indiana's voter registration draws scrutiny and a poll shows politics too hot to talk about for half of Wisconsinites.

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Cheap milk comes at a cost for residents of Washington's Lower Yakima Valley, Indigenous language learning is promoted in Wisconsin as experts warn half the world's languages face extinction, and Montana's public lands are going to the dogs!

Report: Undocumented NYers contribute billions in tax revenue

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Friday, August 16, 2024   

A new report says undocumented immigrant New Yorkers contribute $3 billion to local, state and federal tax revenue.

The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy estimates 676,000 undocumented workers contribute to New York's economy. The report also notes work authorizations could increase contributions by almost $1 billion annually.

Denise Bell, vice president of policy and programs for the New York Immigration Coalition, said challenges stall the process.

"The work authorization can be a bit of a lengthy process that can depend on the type of status that an immigrant has," Bell explained. "There really has been a dedicated push to make more immigrants around the country eligible for work authorizations. Hence, Venezuelans recently became eligible for TPS."

"TPS" is Temporary Protected Status. Work authorizations can increase a person's wages and reduce tax law compliance barriers. More than 205,000 migrants have entered New York since the spring of 2022.

Bell feels anti-immigrant rhetoric harms the work authorization process. She stressed reports like this remind people immigrants are an economic engine for the state and the nation.

Nationally, undocumented immigrants contribute nearly $100 billion in taxes and close to $34 billion annually into Social Security, Medicare and unemployment insurance, although the benefits are not available to them. Bell argued some of these funds could support programs for undocumented immigrants.

"We are also working with the State of New York on something called 'Welcoming New York,' to build the infrastructure to receive and support and help integrate newcomer immigrants," Bell pointed out. "That's specifically around access to legal services to help people apply for asylum, for TPS, for work authorizations."

The Welcoming New York campaign would also create a Bilingual Teacher Pipeline program, allow guaranteed access to child care for undocumented families, and increase investments in the New York State Enhanced Services to Refugees Program to help refugee resettlement agencies.


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