According to a new report from the University of Southern California, the Center for American Progress, and the National PTS Alliance, immigrants who currently have temporary protected status, or TPS, pay about $4.6 billion in federal, state, and local taxes each year. Primarily Central Americans, these individuals also spend billions of dollars each year in mortgage loans and rent. In addition to Central Americans, this group includes natives of Haiti, Liberia, Nepal, Somalia, Sudan, and South Sudan. This group of taxpayers also includes individuals who have protections under a small program known as Deferred Enforced Departure, which offers protection to immigrants who are experiencing political or economic instability in their countries.
Of the top ten states that benefit from these tax dollars, the state of Texas receives the third highest amount of taxes from individuals with TPS and DED. They contributed a total of $508 million in taxes in 2016, behind only California, which collected $829 million in taxes from this group, and New York, which received $720 million in taxes from this group.
Despite these substantial contributions to the economy, the Trump administration continues to take steps to limit legal immigration, even as it attempts to crack down on illegal immigration through expedited deportation, mandatory detention, and separation of parents from their children. Although previous administrations have renewed work authorization for TPS and DED recipients every two years, the Trump administration has been trying to revoke this benefit for individuals with TPS and DED for more than one year. The administration also has moved to end TPS for natives of El Salvador, Haiti, Sudan, and Nicaragua. As challenges to the termination of TPS for these groups are pending in federal court, however, most TPS designations now have been extended through 2020.
Peek Law Group dedicates a large part of its practice to helping both individuals and businesses resolve their immigration-related issues. Immigration law is a complex, ever-changing area of the law that necessitates legal advice from experienced immigration lawyers who keep up-to-date with all relevant changes in law and policy. We will work with you to achieve the most favorable outcome possible in your situation. Call our office today and set up a consultation with our skilled immigration attorneys today.