Immigrants pay billions in taxes every year using IRS-issued tax IDs — but they don’t get Social Security, Medicare, or tax refunds like most Americans. They help build this country while getting little back. Don’t believe the lies.

Undocumented immigrants pay billions of dollars in federal, state, and local taxes annually using IRS-issued tax identification numbers, but they are generally ineligible for Social Security, Medicare benefits, and many tax refunds or credits.

At a glance

Key Evidence

Verified July 13, 2025

Undocumented immigrants paid nearly $97 billion in taxes in 2022 according to ITEP.itep.org
IRS-issued ITIN holders are not eligible for Social Security or Medicare benefits nor for many tax credits like the EITC.taxpolicycenter.org taxpolicycenter.org
These immigrants contribute substantially to public revenues while receiving limited direct government benefits.

The reporting

What the Evidence Shows

The claim can be broken down into several components: 1) Immigrants pay billions in taxes every year using IRS-issued tax IDs; 2) They do not receive Social Security or Medicare benefits; 3) They do not receive tax refunds like most Americans; and 4) They contribute significantly to the country while receiving little in return.

Multiple credible sources confirm that undocumented immigrants pay substantial amounts in taxes annually. For example, the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) estimates that undocumented immigrants paid $96.7 billion in federal, state, and local taxes in 2022.itep.org Other sources corroborate that immigrants of all legal statuses pay income, payroll, property, and sales taxes.reuters.com

Regarding benefits, undocumented immigrants who use IRS-issued Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) are not eligible for Social Security retirement benefits or Medicare because these programs require valid Social Security numbers tied to authorized work status.taxpolicycenter.org taxpolicycenter.org While some undocumented workers may pay into Social Security using false or borrowed Social Security numbers, they generally cannot claim benefits.

Undocumented immigrants are also typically ineligible for many tax credits and refunds available to U.S. Citizens and authorized residents, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which limits their ability to receive tax refunds despite paying taxes.taxpolicycenter.org

The claim that immigrants help build the country while receiving little back is supported by the evidence that they contribute significant tax revenue but have limited access to public benefits tied to legal status.

The nuance is that while undocumented immigrants pay taxes and contribute to public coffers, their lack of eligibility for many social safety net programs means they often receive fewer direct benefits. However, some authorized immigrants do receive benefits depending on their status. The claim focuses on undocumented immigrants using IRS-issued tax IDs (ITINs), which aligns with the evidence.

Overall, the claim is largely accurate but simplifies complex immigration and tax policy issues. It correctly highlights the significant tax contributions of undocumented immigrants and their limited access to certain benefits but does not address variations among immigrant groups or other indirect benefits they might receive.

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