Cost of Illegal Immigration In Florida

ST PETERSBURG, FL -- A study released this week by the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) shows soaring costs of illegal immigration in Florida and demonstrate negative reactions by residents concerning the burdens placed on them by illegal immigration.

A new Zogby International poll of 801 likely voters across the state found that, by an overwhelming margin, Floridians believe that illegal immigration is harming their state. Their perceptions are rooted in reality.

A separate study, the Costs of Illegal Immigration to Floridians found that providing education and health care to illegal aliens and their families, and incarcerating criminal illegal aliens, costs state taxpayers more than $3.8 billion annually, more than double the costs measured in 2005.

The Costs of Illegal Immigration to Floridians found that taxpayers spend:

• $3.4 billion a year to educate illegal immigrant children and the U.S. born children of illegal immigrants.
• $290 million a year on unreimbursed health care for illegal aliens.
• $90 million a year to incarcerate criminal illegal aliens.
• The total represents an annual cost to each of Florida's native-born headed households of $678.

The Zogby poll found that:

• 71.3% of Florida voters say illegal immigration has a negative impact on the state.
• Only 14.4% believe it has a positive impact on Florida.
• 83.5% of Florida voters believe illegal aliens have a negative impact on the state budget, versus only 7.9% who believe their impact is positive.
• Only 36% of Florida voters favor amnesty or legalization for current illegal aliens, while 57.5% believe illegal immigration should be reduced through better enforcement of immigration laws.
• 68.6% of Florida voters want worksite immigration enforcement to continue.
• Only 21.1% support the Obama administration's decision to curtail worksite enforcement.

The poll also finds that voters want the state and federal government to protect the jobs of U.S. workers by requiring employers to verify workers' immigration status using the federal E-Verify system.

The Costs of Illegal Immigration to Floridians and a summary of the Zogby International Polling results are available at www.fairus.org .

FAIR is the country's largest immigration reform group. With over 250,000 members nationwide, FAIR fights for immigration policies that serve national interests, not special interests.

FAIR believes that immigration reform must enhance national security, improve the economy, protect jobs, preserve our environment, and establish a rule of law that is recognized and enforced.