Farms feel the immigrant impact

Opponents of immigration reform say immigrants drain resources that could be used for U.S. citizens.But studies show immigrants, legal and illegal, do pay taxes and pay into the Social Security system, even though most will never collect Social Security benefits.A March 2017 study by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy estimates that undocumented immigrants in the U.S. pay about $11.74 billion in state and local taxes.They pay sales tax on what they buy, property tax in the form of rent or homes they own, and many pay income taxes through Individual Tax Identification Numbers, according to the study.Undocumented immigrants in New York alone account for over $1.1 billion in taxes, the study shows.Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, D-Round Lake, who represents farm country in Washington and Saratoga counties, said reform is needed, but she can’t do it at the state level.“It’s clear to me that our economy up here, both the agriculture economy and tourism economy, is very dependent on an immigrant workforce, and even if we just look at the challenges the growers have for seasonal visas, the process is extensive, it’s expensive and there’s not enough visas available,” she said.Washington County farmer Jay Skellie said the health of animals could be jeopardized if immigrants were herded up.“Some of these farms in western New York are milking 2,500 cows and if you take out all their workers, you’re causing a hardship to these animals. They have to be milked,” he said.