Say Anything Blog

ST. PAUL - Illegal immigration in Minnesota costs the public up to $188 million annually, according to a new report commissioned by Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

The report, released Thursday, estimated that Minnesota has between 80,000 and 85,000 illegal, or undocumented, immigrants.

An estimated 17,000 children cost public schools $146 million to $158 million to educate in 2004, and it cost another $30 million in costs for subsidized health care and incarceration for crime, the report said.

"In addition, illegal immigrants arguably displace American workers, which contributes to lost jobs and wages," the report said.

The report was produced by the Department of Administration, whose commissioner, Dana Badgerow, called its findings "alarming."

Pawlenty didn't immediately offer policy proposals related to the report, but he and his chief spokesman indicated such initiatives may soon be coming.

"Many communities across Minnesota and the country have concerns regarding illegal immigration," the Republican governor said in a news release.

"We need to remember that we are a nation of immigrants and we should support immigration that is legal and orderly," he said. "Unfortunately, the current system is neither and needs to be reformed."

$188 million. Annually.

Any guesses as to how much it would cost to round all 85,000 of 'em up and ship them back to where they came from? Because I gotta think that the pricetag would come in under $188 million. Maybe not by much, but you do it once and you'd have a savings the next year.

Earlier I posted on a report that suggested that half of the population growth in this country in recent years was due to illegal immigration.

Half.

This is a tremendous problem. Illegal immigration is becoming a burden on taxpayers. A burden we shouldn't have to pay.

(via Taking Back ND)