Immigrants benefit America

New research from the American Immigration Council on the impact of refugees on the U.S. economy suggests that opening America’s doors to those fleeing conflict and persecution is not only the right thing to do, it is good for the economy and our nation’s population and talent crises.

Nationally, refugees earned over $93.6 billion in household income in 2019, contributed $25 billion in taxes, and provided over $68.6 billion in spending that provided much-needed consumer spending for U.S. businesses. This has also brought substantial development for local and state taxes, with refugees alone paying $8.7 billion in taxes.

Refugees contribute to Michigan’s economy with an impressive $1.7 billion in annual spending and $197.3 million in state and local taxes. Refugees help create jobs and stimulate economic growth, leading to a stronger and more prosperous Michigan.

Michigan is at the forefront of developing state and local policies that welcome and integrate refugees, including supporting regional refugee resettlement collaboratives across the state. The Michigan Legislature recently appropriated $3 million for a New Michiganders Fund to help fund legal, social and other critical integration services for new arrivals.

We can celebrate our nation’s historic role in welcoming refugees and those eager to pursue the freedoms and opportunities embodied by the American Dream. The new research from the American Immigration Council clearly demonstrates that refugees are not a burden to the United States but rather an often unrecognized economic asset who foster job creation and combat our nation’s population challenges.