Thursday, April 05, 2007

Latest Data show Immigration Benefits MN Cities

Bruce P. Corrie, PhD corrie@csp.edu Latest Census data show many Minnesota Cities and Counties benefited from Immigration. Among the Metropolitan areas facing negative internal migration and being positively impacted by net interntational immigration are the MSP metro area and the Grand Forks - Fargo Metro Area. Among the Micropolitan areas facing negative internal migration rates and being positively impacted by net international migration are: Albert Lea, Austin, Fairmont, Marshall, New Ulm, Wahpeton, Willmar, Winnona and Worthington. To see the data please visit http://ethnictrends.info/Market%20Research.html

Latest Data show Immigration Benefits Austin

Bruce P. Corrie, PhD Professor of Economics Concordia University-St. Paul corrie@csp.edu Latest Census data show that Austin lost 1241 people due to internal migration during the period 2000 and 2006. However international immigration increased Austin's population by 640. Latest Census data reveals that cities all across the United States are benefiting from the inflow of immigrants to compensate population decline due to natural reasons as well as migration to other cities. In the case of Austin, the net addition to Austin's population during the same period due to natural reasons, ie, birth and deaths was 796. Net migration out of Austin was 601. Net international immigration was 640. For more information please see the Census Report: http://www.census.gov/population/www/estimates/CBSA-est2006-comp-chg.html

Wednesday, April 04, 2007

$50 Billion Tax Payments from ITIN (Illegal Workers)

Today's WSJ reported that illegal workers in the United States are required to pay taxes and are given an ITIN number. I found a testimony of IRS Commissioner Everson to the House Ways and Means committee where he provides more details around the WSJ article. He thinks that most of these payments are from the undocumented workers (see link above). Today's WSJ gave an example of a tax filing of Pablo Espinoza a welder earning $42,000 and an illegal worker. "Last year, $1,464.88 in Social Security and $342.60 in Medicare were deducted from Mr. Espinoza's wages. His wife paid several hundred dollars in Social Security and Medicare, too. In addition, $3,508 in federal taxes was withheld from their combined salaries. Mrs. Castillo figures they will get a $3,462 refund from the IRS, putting their total federal tax bill at $46." Note while he can get a refund - he is a net contributor to Social Security and Medicare. In his testimony to Congress - IRS Commissioner Everson was making a case for comprehensive reform. WSJ reference http://online.wsj.com/article/SB117564081607858869.html?mod=hps_us_editors_picks