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Immigrants Contributed $14 Trillion to U.S. Economy

2/5/2026

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Summary

Story summary

A Cato Institute report shows immigrants contributed over $14 trillion to the U.S. economy from 1994 to 2023.
The study notes immigrants paid more in taxes than they received in benefits.
In 2023, immigrants paid $1.3 trillion in taxes and received $761 billion in benefits.
Philadelphia leaders emphasize immigrants' role in workforce growth and innovation.
Recent immigration policies threaten this economic impact.

History

Historical Context

The Immigration Reform Act of 1990, signed by President George H. W. Bush, increased legal immigration to over 1 million annually, building on the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act that abolished national-origin quotas. This surge contributed approximately $14 trillion to the U.S. economy from 1994 to 2023, highlighting the ongoing significance of immigrant contributions to workforce growth and innovation amid current policy discussions.

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Story summary

A Cato Institute report shows immigrants contributed over $14 trillion to the U.S. economy from 1994 to 2023.
The study notes immigrants paid more in taxes than they received in benefits.
In 2023, immigrants paid $1.3 trillion in taxes and received $761 billion in benefits.
Philadelphia leaders emphasize immigrants' role in workforce growth and innovation.
Recent immigration policies threaten this economic impact.

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