If Congress passed the DREAM Act and helped eligible young undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children gain citizenship, then the U.S. could see an economic boost of $329 billion by 2030. And in the process of strengthening the national economy, states would clearly benefit as well, particularly some of the states still recovering from the recession:
California: At 10.6 percent, the state’s unemployment rate is still well above the national average of 8.1 percent. The DREAM Act could create more than 380,000 jobs and generate $3.3 billion in additional tax revenue for California by 2030.
Georgia: The state’s 9.2 percent unemployment rate is more than a percentage point higher than the national average, while the DREAM Act could create more than 48,000 jobs in Georgia and have an economic impact of $10.7 billion.
North Carolina: The state is almost facing a double-digit unemployment rate, while Republicans have passed deep cuts to education spending. In a state with 53,000 DREAMers, the DREAM Act could add nearly 36,000 jobs and $224 million in tax revenue.
New Jersey: The state’s unemployment rate remains high at 9.9 percent, and New Jersey is losing jobs even as the governor proposes slashing taxes for millionaires. The DREAM Act could help boost the state by creating 26,000 jobs and generating $251 million in additional tax revenue.
Florida: The state’s slow economic recovery has left Florida with an unemployment rate of 8.8 percent, which would be higher if Floridians were not dropping out of the work force because they can’t find jobs. But if Congress passed the DREAM Act, it would add more than 100,000 jobs and have a $21 billion economic impact in the state.