Connecticut taxpayers are footing a staggering $1.3 billion bill for illegal immigration while Democrat officials refuse to provide their own figures. The revelation comes as the state faces mounting pressure for transparency about how taxpayer dollars are being spent on those who have entered the country illegally.
At a Glance
- Connecticut has reportedly spent $1.3 billion on services for illegal immigrants according to Yankee Institute and FAIR reports
- An estimated 167,000 illegal migrants, or 225,000 including children, are receiving various state services
- Democrat Governor Ned Lamont disputed the figure but has failed to provide an alternative estimate
- State’s Attorney General William Tong dismissed concerns as “racist” despite lack of data
- Fiscal experts argue funds could better support legal residents and struggling Connecticut businesses
Connecticut’s Secret Spending on Illegal Immigration
Connecticut officials are scrambling to dismiss reports revealing an estimated $1.3 billion in annual spending on illegal immigration, even as they admit they don’t track these expenses themselves. The bombshell figure, compiled by the Yankee Institute and the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), calculates the fiscal impact of approximately 167,000 illegal migrants residing in the state, with that number rising to 225,000 when including children.
Despite declaring itself a sanctuary state, Connecticut’s Democratic leadership appears uninterested in determining exactly how much taxpayer money is being diverted to support illegal immigrants. When pressed on the matter, Governor Ned Lamont disputed the $1.3 billion figure but conspicuously failed to offer any alternative estimate or data to counter the report’s findings.
Democrat Officials Refuse Accountability
Rather than addressing legitimate fiscal concerns, some Connecticut officials have resorted to name-calling. Connecticut Attorney General William Tong dismissed questions about the spending as a “big fat dishonest, ugly racist, hateful lie,” according to The Federalist report. Yet remarkably, Tong and other officials have not provided any financial data to refute the $1.3 billion figure.
The state’s Office of Policy and Management (OPM) admitted it would be “costly and time-consuming” to research accurate figures on illegal immigration expenses. This admission raises serious questions about fiscal transparency and whether Connecticut’s leadership is deliberately avoiding scrutiny of how taxpayer money is being spent.
Legal Residents Left Behind
As Connecticut lawmakers consider expanding HUSKY Health eligibility regardless of immigration status and continue passing emergency bills to fund organizations assisting illegal immigrants, legal residents face some of the highest tax burdens in the nation. The state is notorious for its high property taxes, poor business climate, and skyrocketing electricity rates that make it increasingly difficult for hardworking citizens to afford living there.
The Yankee Institute has proposed several reforms to address the state’s financial challenges, including freezing state employee wages, which could save $360 million over two years, and reevaluating the state’s film tax credit program that cost taxpayers $112 million in fiscal year 2023 alone. These practical solutions could help relieve burdens on Connecticut’s struggling legal residents and businesses without compromising the state’s fiscal health.
Maintaining Fiscal Discipline
The Yankee Institute strongly opposes breaking the bipartisan 2017 fiscal guardrails, which have been instrumental in improving Connecticut’s financial standing. These measures have helped the state pay down its massive pension debt, improved its creditworthiness, and enabled tax cuts for legal residents. As debates over illegal immigration spending continue, the need for fiscal transparency has never been more critical.
As Connecticut continues grappling with these issues, fiscal watchdogs are calling for a comprehensive audit of government spending to ensure resources are directed appropriately and in compliance with state and federal laws. The billion-dollar question remains: why are Democrat officials so reluctant to provide transparency about how much taxpayer money is flowing to illegal immigrants while legal residents struggle?
