Study: Undocumented immigrants paid $292 million in state, local taxes
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YAKIMA -- Washington state ranks 10th in the nation for the most taxes paid by undocumented immigrants, according to a new study.
The study by the Taxation and Economic Policy Institute showed that undocumented immigrants in Washington paid $292 million in state and local taxes in 2010.
"Like other people living and working in the United States, undocumented immigrants currently contribute a significant share of their income to state and local taxes," the study reported.
If the U.S. House passes a Senate bill that includes a path to citizenship for an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants, the study projects that another $20 million, or more, will be collected in taxes in Washington state.
Opponents of comprehensive immigration reform argue that the potential cost to taxpayers could total $6.3 trillion over the next 50 years when accounting for costs to welfare programs and general public services, the Seattle Times reported.