Refugees and asylees have significantly contributed to the U.S. economy

A recent U.S. Department of Health and Human Services report reveals that refugees and asylees have significantly contributed to the U.S. economy, generating tens of billions of dollars more in tax revenues than they have cost in government services over the past 15 years, leading to a net fiscal gain. Between 2005 and 2019, they contributed a net fiscal gain of $31.5 billion to the federal government and $92.3 billion to state and local governments, after accounting for direct government service costs. Even including the cost of services for their U.S.-citizen spouses and children, the group still provided a net fiscal gain. Highlighting their growing economic contributions over time, the report counters narratives of refugees and asylees as economic burdens, showing their employment and income levels reach and sometimes exceed U.S. averages after a decade in the country. For more information, here’s an article by Karen Aho on ImmigrationImpact.com.