Economic Justice

Overview

Economic justice means that everyone—regardless of who they are or where they come from—can participate in the economy and have enough to thrive. We believe that a just economy should center human dignity, offer equitable opportunity for advancement,  respect the rights of workers, and have a built-in safety net. We are fighting for a system where people can not only survive—by earning a living wage and having access to health care, housing, and education—but can thrive.

The National Immigration Law Center works to dismantle barriers that cut low-income immigrants off from vital supports and advocates for a more inclusive economy and safety net that benefits and strengthens all communities.

Why It Matters

Immigrants play a vital role in the U.S. economy, contributing billions in taxes, driving innovation and progress, starting essential businesses, and filling critical roles across industries.

The U.S. Congressional Budget Office estimates that as a result of immigration, the U.S. economy will grow by $7 trillion over the next decade.  The federal government, however, continues to uphold policies that unjustly exclude immigrants from economic advancement despite our contributions, and far too often, politicians scapegoat immigrant communities for personal gain.

Undocumented immigrants pay billions in taxes yet are denied access to crucial programs like Medicare and Social Security—severely limiting their ability to access health care and plan for retirement. Additionally, immigrants frequently encounter barriers to essential safety net supports, such as unemployment insurance, housing assistance, and state earned income tax credits, further hindering their economic mobility.

Our Work

For years, NILC has worked to dismantle barriers to the essential safety nets that families need to lead healthy and full lives. We successfully challenged the Trump administration’s cruel public charge wealth test and advocated for President Biden to implement a new policy, aimed at addressing socioeconomic and racial inequities. We are also advocating for important changes that would help make it easier for people to pay taxes, regardless of their immigration status, and have access to federal and state tax credits, including the Child Tax Credit.

Together we can advance policies that promote healthier communities and affirm that all of us—no matter our immigration status—should have access to the tools and economic supports we need to thrive.