California Budget Meltdown Would be Lessened by Combating Increases in Illegal Immigration

California Budget Meltdown Would be Lessened by Combating Increases in Illegal
Immigration

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- California state lawmakers now
grappling with a $40 billion budget deficit were advised five years ago of the
mounting costs of illegal immigration in the state. In 2004, the Federation
for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) issued a study of the fiscal cost of
illegal immigration to Californians. At that time, the cost to the state's
taxpayers was $10.54 billion a year. That estimate included the cost of
educating the children of illegal aliens - both those illegally in the country
and those born here - in K-12 public schools, emergency medical care, and
incarceration of criminal aliens.

While these annual costs for illegal immigration have been steadily draining
California's budget year after year, the costs have risen and are placing an
even greater strain on the state's resources in 2009. The original 2004 cost
estimate was based on an illegal alien population estimated at 2,900,000.
Today, FAIR estimates California's illegal alien population has grown to
3,200,000, a 10.3 percent increase. As a result of both the continued growth
in the illegal alien population and the higher cost of governmental services,
the current fiscal cost outlays for the illegal alien population in California
are now approaching $13.1 billion annually - more than half the projected
shortfall for next year.

"California is melting down with an unemployment rate of 9.3 percent, 257,400
jobs lost in 2008, median home values plummeting 50% since spring of 2007, and
the lowest S&P bond rating of all fifty states," said Dan Stein, President of
FAIR. "While Governor Schwarzenegger is proposing draconian cuts in spending,
ordering furloughs for state employees, and delaying expected taxpayer
refunds, he continues to ignore the budget-busting cost of illegal
immigration. With the highest concentration of illegal aliens of any state -
nearly one in eight residents is illegal - it's no wonder California is in the
mess it is."

"California state officials need to acknowledge the fiscal impact of illegal
immigration and remove the welcome mat to those who are not entitled to
residence, employment or most benefits. A big chunk of the state deficit could
be cut over time if the state adopted measures that effectively complemented
federal efforts to deter illegal immigration. The interests of law abiding
residents of California must take precedence over continued pandering to
ethno-centric special interest amnesty groups and unscrupulous employers
looking for cheap labor," observed Stein.

About FAIR
Founded in 1979, 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.

SOURCE FAIR

Ira Mehlman, +1-206-420-7733, or Bob Dane, +1-202-328-7004, both of FAIR