N.J. Immigrants Are Taxpaying, Hardworking Residents: Study

If you live in New Jersey, there’s a one in five chance you’re an immigrant, according to a recent study.

According to “The Contributions of New Americans,” a report from the Partnership for a New American Economy (NAE), foreign-born immigrants made up 22 percent of the New Jersey’s population and contributed $19.6 billion in federal, state and local taxes in 2014… about 23.6 percent of the Garden State’s total share that year.

The NAE also analyzed data for the other 49 states and Washington D.C., which can be seen here.

Other statistics revealed in the New Jersey immigration report include:

• Only two other states, California and New York, had a higher proportion of immigrant residents
• 97,226 people immigrated to New Jersey between 2010 and 2014
• 121,666 immigrants in New Jersey are self-employed (their businesses generated $3.2 billion income in 2014)
• 39 percent of Fortune 500 companies based in New Jersey were founded by immigrants or their children
• Through taxes, immigrants contributed about $2 billion to Medicare and $7.2 billion to Social Security
• 63 percent of immigrants (all ages) worked in 2014

According to the study, occupations with large percentages of foreign-born workers in 2014 included:

• Maids and housekeeping cleaners – 65 percent
• Taxi drivers and chauffeurs – 64 percent
• Software developers – 64 percent
• Packers and packagers – 59 percent
• Production workers (ex. cooling and freezing equipment operators) - 51 percent
• Personal care aides – 51 percent
• Computer programmers – 49 percent
• Painters, construction and maintenance workers – 48 percent
• Cooks – 48 percent
• Construction laborers – 46 percent

On Aug.3, a coalition of business leaders from across New Jersey came together in Trenton to mark the release of “The Contributions of New Americans” report and launch the Reason for Reform campaign, an effort to highlight the need for immigration reform in America.

Speaking at the event were Garden State business leaders such as Carlos Medina, Chairman of the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

“The Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce represents 80,000 Hispanic-owned businesses that contribute over $12 billion to New Jersey’s economy,” Medina said. “From 2000 to 2010, 571,000 Hispanic immigrants entrepreneurs started businesses that were essential to helping the country recover from the economic recession. Many of our members are proud immigrants who have come to the United States to make a better life for their families. It is time for our leaders in Washington to work together to create real and meaningful immigration reform so the American dream can be a reality for more hardworking immigrants.”

• See related article: N.J. Immigrant’s Success Story Inspires Local Community

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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