Myth - Undocumented immigrants cost the state of Texas millions of dollars.

Fact - A study from the Texas State Comptroller reports, “undocumented immigrants produced $1.58 billion in state revenues, which exceeded the $1.16 billion in state services they received.”

According to State Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn, “The absence of the estimated 1.4 million undocumented immigrants in Texas in fiscal 2005 would have been a loss to our gross state product of $17.7 billion.”

Myth - Farmers Branch Councilman Tim O’Hare says undocumented immigrants are in part responsible for the “lack of acceptable appreciation of our property values.”

Fact - In a Dallas Morning News article, City Finance Director Charles Cox stated valuations of residential properties were up 0.9 percent in 2006. Cox said, “In the 1999-2000 fiscal year, we had an increase of 4.9 percent. Every year from that point until now, we’ve had a rate of growth greater than the rate of inflation.”

According to the 2000 census, the median value of owner occupied housing units in Farmers Branch was $99,200. That is $16,700 higher than the state average of $82,500.

Myth - Undocumented immigrants do not pay taxes.

Fact - According to a study released by the Texas State Comptroller, during fiscal year 2005 immigrants paid $1.58 billion to the state of Texas in taxes.

• $867 million in major consumption taxes and fees
• $582 million in school property taxes
• $61 million from the lottery
• $21 million in court costs
• $20 million for utilities
• $31 million in other taxes.