Ohio immigrants paid more than 7 billion in taxes
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Ohio immigrants are contributing billions of dollars in tax revenue each year, data shows.
Why it matters: As the Trump administration increases funding for mass detention and deportations, the figures help illustrate how immigrants contribute to the U.S. economy.
- Ohio is home to nearly 600,000 foreign-born residents, including 127,000 in the Cleveland area.
How it works: Nonprofit advocacy group American Immigration Council compiled findings based on 2023 census data.
By the numbers: Immigrant Ohioans paid about $7.3 billion in taxes in 2023.
- India (11%) is the largest country of origin, followed by Mexico (8%) and China (5%).
Also, AIC found there are more than 38,000 immigrant entrepreneurs in Ohio, accounting for $1 billion in income.
- Ohio immigrants or their children have founded seven Fortune 500 companies.
Zoom in: The data comes after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) nationwide immigration crackdown impacted Northeast Ohio in late January.
- More than 50 people were taken into custody and detained at Geauga County Safety Center, including six employees from Cleveland Heights restaurant Cilantro Taqueria.
What they're saying: The Ohio Immigrant Alliance wrote a March 11 letter to state and local officials that was signed by 2,500 Ohioans from 69 counties, including 80 institutions like Collaborate Cleveland and the Cleveland Jewish Collective.
- "Immigrants are beloved members of Ohio families and communities," the letter reads. "Ohio is their home. Our state is made better, stronger and more vibrant by the countless contributions of immigrants and refugees."