Report: North Carolina Hispanics contribute billions

[Thom Little]

North Carolina's fast-growing Hispanic community is almost 20 percent larger than government estimates, nearly half illegal and contributes billions to the state's economy, according to research released today.

Researchers at UNC Chapel Hilll's Kenan Institute also said the state spent $61 million -- $102 per Hispanic -- more than it received in taxes to provide key social services.

That net taxpayer cost has to be viewed in the context of the much larger economic contribution Hispanics make as they buy goods, create demand for services and fill low-wage jobs, said John Kasarda, Kenan Institute director and one of two lead researchers on the eight-month project.

......

"This study quantifies for the first time the enormous economic contributions made by our state's Hispanic population, as well as pointing to a wide range of public policy issues and business opportunities to be explored," Thad Woodard, CEO of the N.C. Bankers Association, said in a news release today. "North Carolina policymakers and business leaders now have a wealth of data and information on which to make decisions about both challenges and opportunities offered by this increasingly significant segment of our state's population and economy."



http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/business/13539986.htm

[DURHAM D]

1. Totally useless study - makes no distinction between

legal and illegal Hispanics.

Also of note was the comment that most Hispanics enter this country without medical insurance. So what, most low income citizens don't have medical insurance.

[Bridget Burke]

2. Why should the study make that distinction?

These people put money into the economy & take some out. Result: The State of North Carolina benefits.

[NorthernSpy]

3. because the distinction matters

Promoting the welfare of Latino Americans is legitimately of great interest to the nation as whole. The illegals, on the other hand, have no right to be here, and we have every right to maintain policies that reflect that. It's absolutely necessary to distinguish between these two groups, because we cannot treat citizens as though they were illegals, and we should not treat illegals as though they were citizens.

[dogfacedboy]

4. Agreed n/t

[MrPrax]

5. Easy...

make them citizens...no longer illegal and no longer an excuse not to recognize their contributions and have them step up to accept their obligations as citizens, instead of hiding out...

Not really a problem...

[xchrom]

6. they don't have to be citizens to fight in our armies --

and i'm guessing more than a few came here illegally.

but yeah -- make them citizens.

or better yet liberalize relations with mexico -- we are very much blood related after all -- and make it easy for mexicans to live and work here.

this is going to be a majority spanish speaking country soon enough -- and every year that goes by makes that border between the u.s. and mexico more and more of a fiction.

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

7. In theory, I agree, but...

what about the millions of other immigrants who toil daily with USCIS (formerly known as INS) and its fees, bureaucracy and year-long waits?

Had I not gotten married to a U.S. citizen, my wait for a green card would have been 11 years (yes, 11). I too contribute to society by consuming goods and attending school (paying tuition), using a car, etc.

Unfortunately, immigration, like all other things, is not a black and white issue.

[Mountainman]

10. Should we make anyone who wants to come here from any country

a citizen because they can make it here? Or does your solution only apply to one group?

[froshty1960]

13. Everyone should be welcome

Well, I'm descended from illegal aliens from Scotland who settled on the coast of Virginia in 1715... why should I deny someone else the same right in 2006?

[Marie26]

16. Most people don't understand how strict American

immigration law is today. We remember the 1800's, when millions of poor European immigrants came to start a new life in the US. Then, people could come simply to get a new job. Now, the immigration laws are very strict, and you can only become a resident through a US family member, or through an employer request for professional experts. That's it. Millions of people still want a new life in the US, but there's no legal avenue to acheive it, so they come in illegally. I kind of like the old system of simply putting a quota on immigration from each country & allowing people to come w/o meeting these specific standards. It'd cut down on illegal immigration, and allow the immigrants who do come to have a better shot at acheiving prosperity.

[Bridget Burke]

8. What about the legal non-citizens?

And what if the "illegals" are putting more money into the economy than they are taking out?

Promoting the welfare of human beings is of interest to some of us.

[billbuckhead]

9. In Georgia this is happening as well.

This could break the Republican lock on the south if Dems stand up for these Hispanics. Counting the votes is always the problem.

[Clutch Cargo]

14. There are many illegal activities that put money into the economy

Drug running, weapons smuggling and child slavery are a few examples. Is that OK as long as the state benefits monetarily?

[QC]

11. "Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise"

That's a business school. Lots of talk of "promoting private enterprise worldwide and leveraging private-sector resources and expertise to serve the public interest" and the like on their website.

The study was sponsored by the Mexican Consulate of Raleigh and the North Carolina Bankers Association, which hopes to make more money off Hispanic customers using the info in the study. The study has a lot to say about the benefits of cheap labor.

This study sounds a bit fishy, given who funded it and who is promoting it.

[boilinmad]

12. Another confusing repub/conservative issue......

When you think about it, its just another issue that shows how
this administration, and conservatives in general, talk out of
both sides of their mouths. Illegals destroying the economy,
even though, as they (the conservatives) are so often
extolling, the economy is in excellent shape..... Go
figure.....

[Straight Shooter]

15. Good point. The GOP is trying to have their cake and eat it, too.

Welcome to DU. 

edit:  Smilies not working tonight ...