
Undocumented Immigrants' $96.7 Billion Tax Contribution: Fact or Fiction?
Undocumented Immigrants and Tax Contributions: A Fact-Check The recent claim that undocumented immigrants paid $96.7 billion in taxes to the US system has sparked a heated debate. A video featuring two men discussing this topic highlights the complexities of the issue. One man expresses skepticism, questioning how undocumented individuals can contribute such a sum. The other provides clarification, explaining the existence of tax identification numbers (ITINs) that allow undocumented workers to pay taxes, including federal, state, and sales taxes, as well as Social Security taxes. "Undocumented means you don't have a Social Security number," one man argues in the video, highlighting a common misconception. However, his counterpart counters this by explaining that ITINs enable tax payments, even without a Social Security number. This highlights the often-overlooked economic contributions of undocumented workers. The video's discussion underscores the need for a more nuanced understanding of the topic, moving beyond simplistic narratives. It also prompts a broader conversation about the role of undocumented workers in the US economy and the complexities of tax policy.