Fact Check: it's a myth that illegal immigrants are "taking our jobs". it's a myth that they "don't pay taxes". it's a myth that they're "draining our resources". you know who actually evades $150 billion in taxes every year? billionaires. you know who drains our resources? billionaires. you know who wants to keep you fixated on immigrants? politicians who rely on those billionaires for campaign funding

Fact Check: "It's a myth that illegal immigrants are 'taking our jobs', 'don't pay taxes', and 'draining our resources'"

What We Know

The claim asserts that the commonly held beliefs about illegal immigrants taking jobs, not paying taxes, and draining resources are myths. It further states that billionaires are the real tax evaders and resource drainers, while politicians distract the public with immigration issues.

1. Job Competition: Research indicates that illegal immigrants do compete for jobs, particularly in low-skilled sectors. A study by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine found that while immigration can have a small negative effect on wages for native low-skilled workers, it generally has a neutral or positive effect on the economy overall (source-4).

2. Tax Contributions: Contrary to the claim that illegal immigrants do not pay taxes, various studies show that they contribute significantly to tax revenues. According to a report by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, undocumented immigrants paid an estimated $11.74 billion in state and local taxes in 2014 alone (source-6). However, they are often excluded from federal benefits, which complicates the narrative around their tax contributions.

3. Resource Drain: The assertion that illegal immigrants drain resources is contentious. Critics argue that they contribute to the economy and social systems, while proponents of the claim argue that they increase costs in areas like healthcare and education. A report from the Center for Immigration Studies suggests that illegal immigrants do impose costs on public services (source-5), but this is countered by arguments that their economic contributions offset these costs.

4. Tax Evasion by Billionaires: The claim that billionaires evade significant amounts of taxes is supported by various reports. For instance, a ProPublica investigation revealed that some of the wealthiest Americans pay little to no federal income taxes, often using loopholes and deductions to minimize their tax burden (source-3).

Analysis

The claim presents a mixed view of the economic impact of illegal immigration. On one hand, it correctly highlights that illegal immigrants do contribute to tax revenues, which counters the assertion that they do not pay taxes. However, the assertion that they do not take jobs from native workers is more nuanced; while they may not be the sole cause of job loss, they do compete in certain sectors.

The sources cited regarding tax evasion by billionaires are credible and highlight a significant issue in tax policy, suggesting that the focus on illegal immigrants as tax evaders may be misplaced. However, the claim's framing oversimplifies the complex dynamics of immigration, labor markets, and taxation.

The reliability of the sources varies. Reports from government agencies and reputable research institutions provide a solid foundation for understanding the economic implications of illegal immigration, while some sources may have inherent biases based on their organizational missions.

Conclusion

Verdict: Partially True
The claim that illegal immigrants are not taking jobs and do pay taxes is partially true, as they do contribute to tax revenues and compete for jobs, particularly in low-skilled sectors. However, the assertion that they drain resources is more complex and context-dependent. The focus on billionaires as the primary tax evaders is valid, but it does not negate the nuanced realities of immigration and its economic impacts.

Sources

1. Archived: 3 restaurant chain executives indicted on federal ...
2. South Jersey Man Admits Hiring Illegal Immigrants, Failing ...
3. Illegal alien sentenced in multimillion-dollar wire and tax ...
4. Tax Law's Migration
5. Business owner pleads guilty to tax fraud and hiring illegal ...
6. Taxation of Undocumented Immigrants: The Uneasy ...