Immigration Surge Breaks Records, Posing Billion-Dollar Strain on Social Services Across the US
A House Judiciary subcommittee delved into the far-reaching impacts of illegal immigration on social services during a hearing on Thursday. The Eagle Pass Fire Department in Texas, for example, revealed that over 10% of the 9,000 calls they responded to in 2023 were migrant-related, costing the department an additional $15,000 to $18,000 daily. Chief Manuel Mello emphasized the overwhelming challenges with responding to medical emergencies and body recoveries, including men, women, and children ranging from two months to 15 years old.
Republicans highlighted the costs and repercussions on education, citing the relocation of 3,500 students at James Madison High School in Brooklyn to remote learning to accommodate immigrants. New York City spent nearly $1.5 billion on asylum-seekers in fiscal year 2023, with Mayor Eric Adams projecting potential spending of up to $12 billion over the next fiscal years.
Republicans attributed the crisis to the Biden administration’s lax enforcement policies, labeling it a deliberate choice. Democrats countered, emphasizing the positive economic contributions of immigrants, including an estimated $7 billion in sales and excise taxes, $3.6 billion in property taxes, and $1.1 billion in personal income taxes annually.
Democrats argued for a shift in immigration laws, particularly the 180-day waiting period for work authorization for asylum-seekers, contending that allowing immediate work would empower applicants to support themselves. Despite the ongoing debate, fiscal year 2023 witnessed a record 2.5 million migrants caught illegally crossing into the United States, with approximately 270,000 apprehended in September alone, setting a monthly record. Although the December figures are yet to be officially released, reports suggest another record was broken.
Source: SAN
