Michigan League for Public Policy: The benefits of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) on immigrants in Michigan
ITEP Work in ActionResearchers at the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) estimate that nationwide, DACA enrollees contribute $2 billion in state and local taxes each year. In Michigan, these young adults contribute $13 million in state and local taxes annually. If federal elected officials fail to pass a replacement to DACA and beneficiaries’ work permits expire, their tax contributions will drop by more than half to $5 million in revenue—an amount that is equivalent to 220 teacher salaries in Michigan. This loss would prevent our state leaders from being financially able to make important investments in our schools, our hospitals and our communities. Alternatively, if Dreamers have a path to citizenship their naturalization will enable them to access better-paying jobs, leading to an increase in tax contributions. In Michigan, researchers estimate that as citizens, Dreamers would contribute $6 million more in state and local taxes each year.