In sharp contrast to the Trump Administration’s harmful rhetoric and administrative actions targeting immigrants, which have created a climate of fear – especially among families with immigrants who are undocumented – a number of states have adopted pragmatic policies designed to treat all people fairly and give all people an opportunity to thrive.

This inclusive approach makes sense and holds true to our nation’s often-stated ideals, ideals which United States immigration policies have not always respected, and evidence shows it can foster community well-being and improve state economies.

Harsh anti-immigrant policies, in contrast, harm workers and their children and likely weaken the economy.

The nation’s estimated 11 million immigrants who are undocumented pay nearly $12 billion annually in state and local taxes, a sum that could grow to nearly $14 billion if they had a pathway to citizenship. They enrich their extended families and communities just as other residents do – through everyday activities such as visiting their place of worship, mentoring young people, and volunteering.

Our new paper recommends four ways that state and local policymakers can better integrate immigrants into the mainstream economy.