The vast majority of illegal immigrants who come to this country, come here to work. They can make enough money to support their family, buy a car and even have some left to send back home. Often, they pay taxes.
A bus arrives everyday in the parking lot of a Ft. Wayne shopping center. On board are passengers coming from and going to Mexico. The driver says that sometimes an illegal immigrant is on the bus. Everyone has papers...but it isn't known whether those papers are legitimate.
Father Tom Ascheman of St. Patrick's Catholic church says whether we like it or not...no matter how high they build the wall at the border, as long as there are jobs going wanting here...they will come. Eduardo Marquez, who owns a local car lot says when Mexicans are growing up...they focus on the north-side, to come to the US and make money.
Fernando Zapari, publisher of "El Mexicano" newspaper says these immigrants contribute a lot to the economy because with those 12 to 14 thousand dollars they earn per year...they buy a house and pay taxes.
How do they pay taxes? In 1996, the IRS created the Individual Tax Identification Number for foreigners living in the US, who don't have a social security number but need to file taxes. Increasingly though, this number is being used by illegal immigrants to apply for credit, get bank accounts and file taxes.
Legislation has been proposed in the Indiana General Assembly that would crack down on employers who hire illegal immigrants. The law hasn't passed yet...but it is already having an impact on the immigrant population here.
Many have already left Indiana. They will leave businesses, and homes they were buying. The state of Indiana would lose millions of dollars, according to Zapari.
The amount of tax revenue contributed by illegal immigrants is difficult to assess but it is clear that these people are determined to make a life here. Zapari says they don't expect anything from the government. They come here to work.
What are your thoughts CLICK HERE to leave us a "Your2Cents” comment.
TextCaster alerts from Indiana's NewsCenter are your defining source for instant information delivered right to your cell phone and email. It's free, easy and instant. Sign-Up Now!
Powered by Summit City Chevrolet
© Copyright 2011 A Granite Broadcasting Station. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Textcaster
Facebook
Twitter