Immigrants' impact examined

UA prof studying effects illegal migrants have on economy

By CLAUDINE LoMONACO

Published: 03.16.2007

Low-wage U.S.-born workers probably are hurt by the illegal immigrant workforce, but the rest of us receive lower prices.

State government probably pays out more than it takes in from illegal immigrants, but the federal government receives more money from this group than it pays out.

Those are just a couple of the preliminary results of a comprehensive study by a University of Arizona researcher.

Judith Gans, an economist and researcher at the Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy, is examining the impact of illegal immigrants on the economy, schools, hospitals and legal system of Arizona.

She said she hopes the study will give policymakers objective information that can help them create realistic solutions to the immigration problem.

The study will be released in May.