Explainers

The question of whether immigration represents a net cost or a net benefit to the U.S. economy has been a major source of contention, even as the research literature and thinking among economists has been quite clear. A strong body of research and consensus by most economists finds that immigration, on balance, is a net positive for the U.S. economy. This explainer walks through the issues.

Other than refugees, noncitizens in the United States face significant restrictions on access to federally funded public benefits, including programs such as Medicaid, food stamps, and cash assistance programs. This is particularly the case for unauthorized immigrants, who except in very limited circumstances are barred from all federally funded public benefits, as our explainer details.

Are noncitizens voting in U.S. elections? What is the process for verifying that someone is eligible to vote? This explainer answers basic questions and addresses misconceptions about voting by unauthorized immigrants and other noncitizens—which audits by elections officials and independent research have demonstrated is extremely rare.