Study says household income for immigrants in Az last in U.S.

SONU MUNSHI

Published: 11.30.2007

PHOENIX - The median household income among immigrants living in Arizona is less than any other state with a large population of foreign-born residents, according to a study released Thursday by a group that favors limiting immigration.

"The low incomes are a result of the low levels of education in immigrant families, especially illegal immigrants," said Steven Camarota, who directed the survey for the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Immigration Studies.

"When people aren't educated enough, they aren't getting the high-paying jobs and so their income remains low, making them in turn dependent on the government for health care and education," Camarota said.

The Arizona numbers didn't surprise Ira Mehlman, spokesman for You Don't Speak For Me, a national Hispanic coalition that contends illegal immigration harms Hispanics who are here legally.

Arizona attracts illegal immigrants who know they'll get low-skilled, low-paying jobs, Mehlman said.

Mehlman contended that the taxes paid on $31,000 for a large family do not cover the cost of education or health care. He said that because most low-income jobs do not cover health insurance, illegal immigrants rely on public health care.

"They're a burden on the system," Mehlman said.