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March 6, 2009

New Study Shows Positive Fiscal Effects of Loosening Green Card and H-1B Caps

Lifting restrictions on high-skilled immigration would reduce the federal deficit, according to a new study by TPI senior fellow Arlene  Holen.  The new study will be discussed at a March 10 TPI conference at the National Press Club from 12-3.  Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) will deliver a keynote address.  The conference agenda and registration information can be found here.

Holen’s study shows:

• Highly skilled immigrants pay substantially more in taxes than they receive in federal benefits.
• Green card and H-1B constraints have precluded hundreds of thousands of foreign graduates of U.S. colleges and universities with technical majors from contributing to the U.S. economy.  Such workers might have added almost $14 billion to the nation’s GDP in 2008 and some $3 billion to the federal treasury.
• Green card constraints have kept hundreds of thousands of H-1B visa-holders from continuing to work in the United States.  Such workers might have added roughly $5 billion to the federal treasury in 2008.
• Legislation considered by Congress during the last few years to loosen green card and H-1B caps could reduce the federal deficit on the order of $100 billion over ten years.

The Technology Policy Institute

The Technology Policy Institute is a think tank that focuses on the economics of innovation, technological change, and related regulation in the United States and around the world. TPI produces independent, rigorous research and sponsors educational programs and conferences on major issues affecting information technology and communications policy. TPI is a 501(c)(3) research and educational organization.   More information is available at http://www.techpolicyinstitute.org/

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