1. H O W T H E E C O N O M Y W O U L D B E N E F I T F R O M
G I V I N G L E G A L S T A T U S A N D C I T I Z E N S H I P T O
T H E U N D O C U M E N T E D I M M I G R A N T
P O P U L A T I O N I N T H E U N I T E D S T A T E S
The Benefits of Legalization

2. Undocumented Immigrants in the U.S.
What is an undocumented immigrant?
 Foreign-born person who enters the
United States without authorization or
overstays a temporary authorization
 Anyone without legal permission, i.e.: visa,
green card, or citizenship, to be present in
the United States

3. Undocumented Immigrants in the U.S.
Estimated 11.4 million
undocumented immigrants in
the United States
8.9 million from North
America, 1.3 million from
Asia, 800,000 from South
America, 300,000 from
Europe, and 200,000 from
other countries
70% came from Mexico, El
Salvador, and Guatemala
Over 400,000 undocumented
immigrants were deported in
2012

4. 0
1,000,000
2,000,000
3,000,000
4,000,000
5,000,000
6,000,000
7,000,000
8,000,000
Population
Country of Birth
Estimated Undocumented Immigrant Population
in the U.S. by Country of Birth

5. What to do About the Undocumented Population
Comprehensive Immigration Reform laws
have failed to passed Congress for many years
Most recent attempt in January of 2013
passed the Senate but the House of
Representatives refused
Some believe that giving undocumented
immigrants legal status and citizenship is the
right and moral thing to do
Others feel that undocumented immigrants are a
drain on society and don’t “deserve” to be here,
they should be sent “home” as soon as possible

6. Benefits of Legalization
One study in 2013 showed the positive effects that
giving legal status and citizenship to the
undocumented population would have on the
economy
Broken down into three scenarios:
1. Undocumented immigrants are given both legal status
and citizenship in 2013
2. Undocumented immigrants are given legal status in 2013
and citizenship 5 years later
3. Undocumented immigrants are given legal status in 2013
but not eligible for citizenship within 10 years
Note: these examples assume that all 11 million undocumented would be granted permission to stay

7. Scenario 1: Legalization and Citizenship Now
U.S. GDP would
grow an additional
$1.4 trillion over 10
years
Americans would
earn additional
$791 billion in
personal income
over 10 years
$116 billion
additional tax
revenue to federal
government over 10
years
$68 billion
additional tax
revenue to state and
local governments
over 10 years
Create average of
203,000 additional
jobs per year

8. Scenario 2: Legal Status Now, Citizenship in 5 Years
U.S. GDP would
grow and additional
$1.1 trillion over 10
years
Americans would
earn additional
$618 billion in
personal income
over 10 years
$91 billion
additional tax
revenue to federal
government over 10
years
$53 billion
additional tax
revenue to state and
local governments
over 10 years
Create average of
159,000 additional
jobs per year

9. Scenario 3: Legal Status Now, No Citizenship
U.S. GDP would
grow and additional
$832 billion over 10
years
Americans would
earn additional
$470 billion in
personal income
over 10 years
$69 billion
additional tax
revenue to federal
government over 10
years
$40 billion
additional tax
revenue to state and
local governments
over 10 years
Create average of
121,000 additional
jobs per year

10. Source: http://goo.gl/IcXUW1
Economics of Legalization and Citizenship

11. Sources
Lynch, R., & Oakford, P. (2013, March 20). The
economic effects of granting legal status and
citizenship to undocumented immigrants. Retrieved
from http://goo.gl/IcXUW1
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of
Immigration Statistics