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Immigrant Efficiency

Actual quote about the Mississippi Lieutenant Governor:

“…one of the first to speak out about the costs of illegal immigration, which he estimated at about $25 million annually.”

It’s from this NPR story. Basically, illegals there feel like they were allowed to be here to help rebuild after Katrina and now they’re being kicked out.  The LG is pushing legislation to kick out the illegals.

I’m guessing the Lieutenant Governor didn’t offset his cost estimate by the gains from paying the illegals less to work than we would have paid legal residents. Let’s see what that turns out to be.

Assumptions:

• Number of illegal immigrants: 8,000
• Number that are working: I’m guessing it’s like 6,000
• Hours worked per year: 2,080 (approx. 40 hours per week). I’m guessing this is low.
• Number of years: 3 (2004 - 2007)
• Pay rate to illegals: $5.45 * 1.5 (construction workers usually make more than minimum wage) = $8.18/hr
• Minimum wage in Mississippi: $11.42

Total paid to an illegal: $51,043.20

Total paid to a resident: $71,260.80

Difference: $20,217.60

Difference over all 6,000 immigrants: $121,305,600

So, yeah, Mr. Lieutenant Gov., you’re losing $25MM but gaining an efficiency of $121,3MM.

The headline should read “Lieutenant Governor Attempts to Steal $121 Million From Taxpayers; Will Serve Life In Prison.”

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