Economic Justice Archives - Page 16 of 27 - New Jersey Policy Perspective

DACA Recipients Contribute $59 Million Per Year in Taxes

Posted on May 15, 2018October 9, 2020 by Erika J Nava

When undocumented youth are given a chance, they capitalize on the opportunity. This is exemplified by the state and local taxes paid by the 17,620 DACA (Deferred Action for Children) recipients living in New Jersey. According to an updated 50-state study by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, providing undocumented immigrants a legal path to citizenship would significantly increase taxes paid by immigrants, strengthening New Jersey’s economy while providing stability to local communities.

The ITEP study found that New Jersey’s young immigrants eligible for DACA contribute $59 million in state and local taxes each year, the seventh highest level of all fifty states. These contributions would increase by $38 million per year – the sixth most of all states – if all of those eligible for DACA enrolled in the program. However, if DACA protections end, these state and local tax contributions will drop by $19 million per year, a 33% reduction. When laws push immigrants further to the margins of society, their economic contributions decline at a rapid rate.

Data released last September from the federal government revealed that there are 20% fewer DACA recipients living in New Jersey than had previously been reported. The drop from 22,000 to 17,620 can be attributed to some DACA recipients having their status adjusted, a percentage not qualifying for renewal, and some undocumented youth choosing not to renew as the future of DACA remains uncertain.

In September 2017, the Trump administration announced it was ending DACA. Since then, federal courts temporarily preserved the program and ordered the administration to continue accepting DACA renewals. The fate of DACA is now in the federal courts, as Congress has yet to come up with a proposal to save the program.

It is unclear if the Trump administration’s aggressive demeanor towards immigrants impacted DACA recipients from renewing their permits. What it is clear is that intimidating immigrants and creating a hostile environment for them will only further chase undocumented immigrants into the shadows of society, resulting in lost economic and societal contributions in their communities. It is now up to individual states like New Jersey to protect immigrant communities and encourage their participation in the economy.

This report serves as a reminder that contrary to popular misconception, undocumented immigrants are paying into the tax system now. And, of course, undocumented immigrants would contribute more to state and local coffers more if there was a path to citizenship.

Equal Access to Financial Aid Now Law

Posted on May 9, 2018October 9, 2020 by Erika J Nava

Today, New Jersey officially joins 9 other states – from bright blue California to deep red Texas – in allowing undocumented students with New Jersey roots to apply for state financial aid to help secure a college degree. New Jersey becomes the second state on the east coast to enact such policy, and the second to do so since Donald Trump was elected President.

This common-sense policy will put undocumented students – and New Jersey – on the path toward greater economic prosperity while helping build stronger communities. Equal access to higher education for all students, regardless of status, enables undocumented students who graduated from New Jersey high schools to have a real shot at earning a college degree. This will help us develop a more highly-educated workforce, strengthening our economy and building a brighter future for all New Jerseyans.

With this policy, New Jersey sends a clear message that our state can mitigate the federal government’s attacks on immigrants by taking bold action that both honors our history as the golden door for immigrants and maintains our reputation as a welcoming, inclusive place. Considering the fact that more than half of new jobs will soon require a bachelor’s degree, increasing access to higher education by making it more affordable for all students – regardless of immigration status – is a critical step to ensuring the long-term strength and sustainability of our state’s economy.

For more information on equal access to financial aid, read our 2016 report, Access to Financial Aid is Essential to Give Undocumented New Jerseyans a Better Shot at a College Education: https://www.njpp.org/reports/access-to-financial-aid-is-essential-to-give-undocumented-new-jerseyans-a-better-shot-at-a-college-education

Tuition Equality Benefits All of New Jersey

Posted on May 2, 2018October 9, 2020 by Erika J Nava

This letter to the editor appeared in the April 27, 2018 edition of the Asbury Park Press.

The recent Asbury Park Press editorial opposing state financial aid for New Jersey students with undocumented status — an essential resource to ensure they have the opportunity to earn a college degree and contribute to the Garden State — uses divisive arguments to portray undocumented New Jerseyans as “takers” who do not belong in our communities or in our colleges.

First, let’s be clear — many of these kids came in their parents’ arms to the United States. Once here, they graduated from our public schools and now face the prospect of living their lives in the shadows instead of continuing the educations that will give them a fighting chance to gain a college degree that welcomes them into our economy. The editors want to treat undocumented families as criminals who don’t deserve a chance to contribute to New Jersey, even though more than half of them have been here for more than a decade.

Second, undocumented immigrants do not live separately from us. They are vitally entwined throughout New Jersey’s communities, assets to our state and contributors to our culture, our economy and our prosperity. They are far from being the “other” and framing them as such only enforces an “us-versus- them” mentality that falsely presumes that if someone is gaining then someone else must be losing.

Third, parents in undocumented families, like the rest of us, work hard and pay taxes to give their kids a better shot at success than they had themselves. By seeking access to state financial aid, undocumented students and their families are not asking to cut to the front of the financial aid line. They are simply asking for a chance to stand in line with the rest of their classmates and help make New Jersey better.

Fourth, the argument that New Jersey will become a magnet state due to this policy is not only false but dangerously misleading. This is the same argument that was used when in-state tuition rates were approved for undocumented students, an absurd warning that never came to fruition. What is true is that the main reason immigrants — documented or undocumented — choose to settle in a state is the significant level of demand that exists for their labor.

Lastly, we all benefit from having a more educated community and workforce. These young folks aren’t going anywhere. Cutting the rungs off the ladder of opportunity would only build a permanent underclass, a negative outcome that helps no one. And cost isn’t even an issue, as the editorial itself notes that New Jersey could implement this policy without breaking the bank.

So, let’s end all of this talk that divides communities and pits hardworking people who just want what’s best for their children against one another. New Jersey has an important opportunity to take a big step towards improving the education outcomes of its residents and helping them — whether they be undocumented or not — build a life here that contributes to our economy and strengthens our communities. Speaking negatively about those who are our neighbors, friends, co-workers and students only fans the flames of hatred and division, and New Jersey deserves so much better than such a dismal and hopeless perspective. Let’s look forward to the future and work together to make the Garden State as productive and welcoming as we know it can be for everyone.

Undocumented Immigrants Pay Taxes: County Breakdown of Taxes Paid

Posted on April 16, 2018October 22, 2020 by Erika J Nava

While undocumented immigrants in New Jersey now face greater threats from the federal government than ever before, new data at the state and county level released by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy make clear that the Garden State’s undocumented immigrants are an important economic benefit to this immigrant-rich state.

New Jersey’s undocumented immigrants pay about $587 million each year in state and local taxes, the sixth highest level of all states. And the more integrated these neighbors become in our society, the higher their tax contributions. For example, the same undocumented New Jerseyans would pay an additional $73 million – the eighth largest jump of all states – should they be covered by comprehensive immigration reform.

At the county level, undocumented folks contribute from $14 million in Atlantic County, which is home to 12,000 undocumented immigrants, to almost $80 million in the county with the largest count of undocumented immigrants, Hudson County. Hudson County and Middlesex County, the two counties with the highest number of undocumented immigrants, would see the greatest increase in taxes paid if undocumented immigrants were granted legal status.

While inflammatory rhetoric and repressive actions toward immigrants and refugees seem to be the “new normal” in the halls of power of Washington, D.C., the facts still matter – and they show that undocumented New Jerseyans are an integral part of our state’s economy.

New Jersey’s immigrants aren’t “takers” as extremists want you to think, they are taxpayers who are willing to contribute to our state and want to make New Jersey better.

Legislature Passes Bill To Extend Earned Sick Leave to Over 1 Million New Jerseyans

Posted on April 12, 2018October 9, 2020 by Brandon McKoy

Today, New Jersey achieved a huge victory in supporting workers, families and businesses by passing legislation (S-2171) that will extend earned sick leave to over one million employees. No longer will workers have to choose between staying home to get well – losing a day’s worth of pay if not their job in the process – and going to work, which would put their colleagues and the public at risk for infection. As a result of this legislation, public health and worker productivity will improve, and the state’s economy will be made more resilient.

Currently, about seven out of ten workers in New Jersey already have access to earned sick leave. Making sure that this benefit is extended to just about everyone is simply common-sense and shows that New Jersey believes in supporting family values. It’s a terrible thing when a worker, especially parents with sick children, have to make the difficult choice of going to work or staying home and getting healthy. It’s nice to now say that workers don’t have to choose between their health or the health of their family and their job.

Businesses will benefit from this legislation as workers with access to earned sick leave are more productive and engage in less turnover. Businesses that don’t currently offer earned sick leave would experience savings and reduced costs after implementing this policy. Of the workers who don’t currently have access to earned sick leave, a significant share work in food and retail industries, meaning they interact with the public. Making sure that employees in those sectors have the ability to stay home and get well instead of being forced to go to work will benefit public health and is expected to help cut down on the number of viral outbreaks.

New Jersey Legislature Passes Tuition Equality Bill

Posted on April 12, 2018October 9, 2020 by Erika J Nava

Today, New Jersey achieved true tuition equality and joins 8 other states – from bright blue California to deep red Texas – in allowing undocumented students to apply for state financial aid to secure a college degree. The Garden State becomes the first state on the east coast to have such a policy and is the first state to pass a major progressive immigration bill this year under the Trump administration.

This common-sense policy will put undocumented students – and New Jersey – on the path toward greater economic opportunity and success. It’s an important change that enables undocumented students who graduated from our high schools to have a real shot at earning a college degree. This will help us develop a more highly educated workforce that strengthens our economy and secures a brighter future, and that benefits everyone.

With this policy, New Jersey sends a clear message that our state can mitigate the federal government’s attacks on immigrants by taking actions that both honor our history as the golden door for immigrants and maintain our reputation as a welcoming, inclusive place. Considering the fact that more than half of new jobs will soon require a bachelor’s degree, increasing access to higher education by making it more affordable for all students – regardless of immigration status – is a critical step to ensuring the long-term strength and sustainability of our state’s economy.

Op-Ed: DREAMers Need Real Tuition Equality

Posted on March 27, 2018 by Erika J Nava

This op-ed appeared in the March 25, 2018 edition of the Star-Ledger.

Our state policymakers can mitigate the federal government’s attacks on immigrants by taking actions that would honor New Jersey’s history as the golden door for immigrants and maintain our state as a welcoming, inclusive place.

One way is to help all New Jersey students attain their educational goals in the state they call home. Our Senate has that opportunity Monday with a floor vote on S-699, a bill that would allow undocumented students to access state financial aid, particularly the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients who already qualify for tuition equality.

In 2013, the state boosted educational and economic opportunities for New Jersey’s undocumented students by allowing those who meet certain requirements to pay in-state tuition rates at public colleges and universities. This has helped more students pursue a higher education, which will put them – and New Jersey – on a path toward greater economic opportunity.

But the absence of financial aid keeps many eligible students from completing a four-year degree. This has direct economic impact on New Jersey, which has third-highest share of jobs in the nation that require a bachelor’s degree, making it increasingly important for working-class families to send their children to college.

Undocumented students are like others from working-class families, except that their legal status disqualifies them from receiving federal financial aid and assistance from poverty relief programs. Most of the beneficiaries of DACA came to New Jersey in their parents’ arms. They graduated from our high schools, worked to help their family make ends meet, became vital members of our communities, and served in our military.

There are about 74,000 undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. before the age of 18, have lived at least four continuous years in the United States, and graduated from high school or are currently enrolled in a secondary school.

They’ve helped grow our economy and made New Jersey, which has the third-largest share of immigrants in the U.S., a more productive place to live. To deny them access to affordable education is to send our state into the future with one arm tied behind our backs.

Consider a young woman named Adriana, who is a member of Make the Road NJ in Passaic: After three years as a part-time student, she was forced to drop out of Bergen Community College because the ancillary costs of full-time education are unmanageable. These days, she works at the mall. Adriana has the potential to finish school but is shut out of federal and state aid programs, even if her family pays taxes.

These students should be given the opportunity to pursue higher education regardless if the federal government ultimately follows through with its threat to end DACA completely. We all benefit from having a more educated population and we should not be the state that blocks the passion of DREAMers for higher education. Lest anyone forget: We have told them since they were children that there is no better way to succeed in America than to graduate from college.

New Jersey’s undocumented students are part of our community. Parents in undocumented families, like the rest of us, work hard and pay taxes – at a higher effective tax rate than the state’s wealthiest one percent – just to give their kids a better shot at success than they themselves had.

And all New Jersey students who meet the educational requirements and prove their financial need should be able to access the same programs as their classmates regardless of their immigration status.

By seeking access to state financial aid for college, these families are not asking to cut to the front of the line. They are simply asking for a chance to stand in line with the rest of their classmates and make New Jersey better.

How Lawmakers Can Deliver True 'Tuition Equality'

Posted on March 26, 2018 by Erika J Nava

STATEMENT BY ERIKA NAVA, POLICY ANALYST, NEW JERSEY POLICY PERSPECTIVE, ON S-699 AND S-700

<i>Update: These bills passed the state Senate on Monday, March 26</i>

Thank you to all the sponsors and supporters of these two bills that fight for true tuition equality for mixed status families.

Have no doubt that if this policy becomes a reality it will be due to the perseverance of undocumented students, along with the leadership of Senator Ruiz, Assemblyman Schaer, and countless advocates intent on making New Jersey a fair and welcoming state.

A high-quality education does not end after high school, and neither should our commitment to New Jersey’s students. Increasing access to higher education will significantly benefit all of New Jersey, and considering the fact that over half of new jobs will soon require at least a bachelor’s degree, these two bills are necessary steps to ensuring the long-term strength and sustainability of our state’s economy.

Today, New Jersey can move closer to achieving true “tuition equality” by voting yes – first on allowing those that qualify for in-state rates under the Tuition Equality Act to also qualify for state financial aid, and second on ending the discrimination against mixed status families, who consist of children who are U.S. citizens and have grown up with undocumented parents.

If New Jersey fails to act, the investments we’ve already made in these students from Kindergarten through high school would be largely wasted, and the situation would only get worse as students will be forced to drop out of school when they can’t afford tuition.

New Jersey’s undocumented students are your neighbors, they attend school with your children, and their families pay taxes just like yours. To continue to shut the door to a brighter future by failing to pass these two bills makes no economic or moral sense. Please do the right thing for our residents, our economy, and our future. Please vote yes.

How Lawmakers Can Deliver True ‘Tuition Equality’

Posted on March 26, 2018 by Erika J Nava

STATEMENT BY ERIKA NAVA, POLICY ANALYST, NEW JERSEY POLICY PERSPECTIVE, ON S-699 AND S-700

<i>Update: These bills passed the state Senate on Monday, March 26</i>

Thank you to all the sponsors and supporters of these two bills that fight for true tuition equality for mixed status families.

It's Time to Restore Food Assistance for Hundreds of Thousands of New Jerseyans

Posted on March 5, 2018October 9, 2020 by Raymond Castro

The following are prepared remarks delivered today to the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee.

New Jersey Policy Perspective strongly supports restoring critical food assistance to up to 160,000 Garden State households that include tens of thousands of seniors, people with disabilities and children, as S-839 does. Tragically, over the last three years, New Jersey lost up to $450 million in federal funds for nutritional assistance because the previous administration refused to tie energy assistance to SNAP benefits as permitted by federal law. Here are four major reasons why New Jersey should restore what are known as “Heat and Eat” benefits.

1. Many of New Jersey’s Most Vulnerable Residents Are Affected

Up to 160,000 New Jersey households who lost meals due to the failure to restore Heat and Eat were already hurting due to other SNAP cutbacks. This made it impossible for many of them to eat regular, balanced meals. Households with seniors and people with disabilities are hurt the most because of the way SNAP benefits are calculated. The average person receiving SNAP benefits now sees a paltry $1.29 a meal. Obviously, this is a big problem in a high-cost state like New Jersey. A recent study found that there are counties in New Jersey where the average meal cost is up to 63 percent greater than the SNAP benefit.

2. It Would Benefit New Jersey’s Economy

Restoring the Heat and Eat program would bring up to $50 in benefits for every dollar invested. Continuing to opt out makes no economic sense. If the state spends about $3 million to increase its annual energy assistance payment to $21 per household, it would generate up to $150 million in new SNAP benefits. The impact on the state’s economy, however, would be even greater because every dollar of SNAP benefits generates almost twice that in economic activity. Thus, restoring Heat and Eat would increase economic activity by up to $260 million, thereby creating many jobs.

3. It Would Increase Sorely Needed State Tax Revenues

Restoring the Heat and Eat program would also increase state tax revenues at a time when New Jersey is once again struggling to balance its budget. While groceries are not taxed in New Jersey, many other items are. If benefits increase, New Jerseyans who rely on SNAP would spend more on other taxable goods instead of food.

4. Most of the Other States That Had Heat and Eat Programs Have Already Restored Them

Fifteen states and the District of Columbia were affected by the Heat and Eat provision in the 2014 Farm bill; nine of them have already restored their programs by increasing their energy assistance payment – including New Jersey’s neighbors New York and Pennsylvania. Most of them restored their programs soon after the federal Farm bill was enacted to avoid unnecessary hunger and realize greater economic gains. It’s time that New Jersey finally join them.

Topic Category: Economic Justice