The New American Economy partnered with dozens of national organizations to host the iMarch for Immigration Campaign – a nationwide campaign happening Wednesday, Dec. 6.
As part of the campaign NAE released new data regarding the role of immigrants throughout the U.S.
Their study revealed the following:
- In the Grand Rapids Metro Area, the immigrant population paid $3.6 million in taxes in 2014, and held $1.1 billion in spending power that same year.
- There are 65,091 immigrant residents in the Grand Rapids area, and 664,438 state-wide.
- Over 152,780 people are employed at immigrant-owned firms in Michigan.
In addition, 33.3 percent of Fortune 500 companies in Michigan were founded by immigrants or their children. Michigan is home to more than 664,400 immigrants – 6.7 percent of the state’s population.
On Tuesday, Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI) along with 31 other Members of Congress signed a letter to Paul Ryan regarding the need for legislation that protects DACA recipients.
That letter read in part:
“DACA recipients — young people brought to American through no fault of their own — are contributing members of our communities and our economy. For many, this is the only country they have ever known. They are American in every way except their immigration status.”
Read the full story from WZZM 13: “Study: Immigrants pay millions in taxes in Grand Rapids”
