>> OUR NEXT MEETING WILL AGAIN BE HELD VIA ZOOM, ON MONDAY, MAY 13THFROM 7:00-8:30PM.  I HAVE BEEN THE CHAIR FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS AND WILL NOT SEEK REELECTION, AS YOU ALL ARE AWARE.  

THE TASK FORCE HAS REACHED A POINT WHERE WE NEED TO HAVE A FRANK DISCUSSION TO REFLECT ON SEVERAL ISSUES FACING THE TASK FORCE AS WE MOVE FORWARD.  WE NEED TO IDENTIFY WHAT PROGRAMS MEMBERS FEEL PASSIONATE ABOUT, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, WHO IS WILLING TO PARTICIPATE IN THOSE PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES. CHERYL HAS ENGAGED A FACILITATOR TO HELP US STAY FOCUSED DURING THIS DISCUSSION.  

I WILL BE SENDING OUT A QUESTIONNAIRE DURING THE WEEK OF MAY 5TH TO HELP YOU DEVELOP YOUR OWN THOUGHTS BEFORE THE MEETING.   THIS MEETING MAY BE THE MOST IMPORTANT SINCE CLARK TAYLOR FORMED THE TASK FORCE ABOUT 20 YEARS AGO.  YOUR IMPUT WILL BE CRITICAL. PLEASE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO ATTEND.
  

>>. Our production of Suitcase Stories will be held on June 20th at Wellesley College from 7:00-9:00PM. Doors will open about 6:30pm.  SAVE THE DATE!  To volunteer to help on the myriad details, contact:  agirelli@rcn.com . Your help is really necessary to make this a successful event.  The last time we produced this event was a standing room only sell-out!
 

NATIONAL NEWS:
 >> MSNBC reported that “Biden’s ‘border crisis’ is actually an economic success story”. This certainly brings facts to the issue and is well worth reading.    Go to:    https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/biden-democrats-immigration-economy-rcna146448

 >> On April 22d, the St Louis Post Dispatch editorialized that “No, undocumented immigrants aren’t more crime-prone. They are actually less so” .For the story go to  https://www.dailycamera.com/2024/04/22/editorial-no-undocumented-immigrants-arent-more-crime-prone-they-are-actually-less-so/
 

>>Benefit or Burden?  “Immigrants Contribute Billions to Federal and State Taxes Each Year”  Posted by Steven Hubbard | Apr 15, 2024:   Without fail, each Tax Day a prevalent myth resurfaces that conceals the truth about immigrants’ contributions to federal, state, and local taxes. Bolstered by social media and other outlets, it misleadingly asserts that immigrants, particularly those who are undocumented, evade taxes. The facts don’t back up these claims.Immigrants, including undocumented immigrants, pay taxes. Our analysis of the 2022 American Community Survey (ACS) found that immigrants in the United States have a combined household income of $2.1 trillion and contribute $382.9 billion to federal taxes and $196.3 billion in state and local taxes, leaving them with $1.6 trillion in spending power.

(The) findings underscore the fact that immigrants have significant economic influence, helping to support local communities not only as consumers but also as taxpayers. Like all U.S. residents, immigrants do use public services, such as education, healthcare, and public safety.  But the economic contributions of immigrants far exceed the costs of those additional public services. A 2023 CATO study found that first-generation immigrants contributed an average of $16,207 per capita to the economy in 2018 yet cost an average of just $11,361. This resulted in a net fiscal benefit of $4,846 per immigrant in 2012 dollars.

Undocumented immigrants in the U.S. contribute to the tax system through sales, income, and property taxes, often using Individual Tax Identification Numbers (ITINs) to file income tax returns. In 2022,undocumented immigrants had a combined household income of $290.0 billion and paid $21.5 billion in federal taxes and $13.6 billion in state and local taxes. Their combined spending power was $254.8 billion. 
Despite their substantial contributions, many do not qualify for the benefits their taxes support, such as social security and Medicare benefits or the Earned Income Tax Credit.

Taxes paid by undocumented immigrants also help pay for public higher education, yet undocumented immigrants are also often unable to reap the benefits through in-state tuition options. An analysis of the Higher Education Immigration Portal developed by the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, revealed that 26 states do not provide in-state tuition to undocumented residents.

As we move through another tax season, addressing and dispelling the widespread misconceptions about immigrants and their tax contributions is crucial. The facts are undeniable: immigrants, including those who are undocumented, not only meet their tax obligations but also significantly enhance our economy through their contributions. Their collective household income leads to considerable federal and state tax payments, making a profound economic impact. Moreover, their spending power, running into trillions, highlights their indispensable role as consumers, and effective taxpayers, in our communities.
Yet despite their notable contributions many immigrants, especially those who are undocumented, face a challenging contradiction. They contribute to services through their taxes yet remain ineligible to access several services. This situation lays the groundwork for a deeper conversation on fairness and community support. In addressing key immigration issues, our discussions and decisions must be founded on fact. This approach ensures that every member of our society is appropriately recognized for their contributions.

LOCAL NEWS:
 >> The Department of Justice, Executive Office for Immigration Review announced that it has opened an immigration court in Chelmsford, MA.  The new court will house 14 judges.  The current Boston immigration court will remain in the JFK Federal Building and house 7 judges.  The expansion is necessary to deal with the 7th highest  backlog of cases in the US- in Boston, with 157,239 open cases.  At the end of March 2024,3,524,051 active cases were pending before the immigration courts in the US. Each of the 682 judges now on the bench face an average of 4,500 cases per judge. If not a single new case was filed, it will take about 5 years to clear the docket.
 >>. On April 17th WBUR, NPR aired a story entitled, “Newly-arrived migrants, advocates and state leaders push for expedited permission to work”. Go to:   https://www.wbur.org/radioboston/2024/04/17/migrant-shelter-overflow-work-permits  .   

LOCAL REQUESTS:
 >> Diego Low has sent the following:  Please send a letter to your state representative asking he/she support this important legislation that will give protection from rouge employers retaliation against employees who seek workers compensation.  CASA is attaching materials to send to your legislator:  a sample letter, a fact sheet on the bill / amendment 802 to the budget, the copy of the Globe article.    There is a relatively straightforward bill that could shift the playing field in favor of Casa’s membership base. When you send your letter, do not refer to the Task Force when signing your name. The Globe article can be found at: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/injured-workers-have-little-recourse-against-rogue-employers-a-new-bill-could-change-that/ar-BB1lBVJ0. 
 FACTS:  An Act to Protect Injured Workers would:
·  Clarify the types of employer misconduct & retaliation prohibited under workers’ comp law
·  Clarify the standard of proof and remedies available for harm caused by employer retaliation
·  Allow the Attorney General’s Office to investigate and enforce retaliation complaints
·  Expand notice to employees of workers’ comp rights and prohibitions against retaliation
·  Require the calculation of workers’ comp benefits based on the minimum wages required by law, even where employers have paid workers illegally at sub-minimum levels
·      Allow for investigation of problematic insurer claims-handling practices

Stay safe,Gerry Rovner