09/02/2026
WAWAC Executive Director Says , USA Immigrants paid in Tax Nealy $652 Billion In 2023 A
By Alkali Cham
Washington West African Centre (WAWAC) is a state wide non-profit organisation based in USA , its serves more than Twenty Thousand west African immigrants (20,000) in USA .
The objective of the organisation include to advocate for migrants rights, connect Africans in Washington with local resources , to bridge the gap between wider community and to culturally socialise among themselves .
Speaking at the Organisation’s Gala dinner held recently at Everett Washington state, attended by high profile individuals, including the Mayor of Mountalaker , Dr. steve Woodard , Pa Ousman Joof , a Gambian based in USA in his capacity as the founder and Executive Director of WAWAC, said immigrants both documented and undocumented are critical part of the US work force , he stated that in 2023 alone about 47.8 million immigrants that lived in USA, have contributed nearly 652 billion dollars in federal, state and local taxes .
Speaking on immigrants role in the growth of USA’s economy , Mr Joof said undocumented immigrants alone paid estimated 89.8 billion dollars in taxes despite they being ineligible for most federal benefits including many safety -net programs .
“A study from the institute on taxation and economic policy found that undocumented immigrants paid nearly 96.7 billion dollars in taxes in 2022 including payroll, income and sale taxes "he added .
Mr Joof explained that these taxes being paid by immigrants, facilitates social services such as schools , roads, public safety, despite being inaccessible to undocumented immigrants . He added that that the recent political rhetoric being used by the big names in American politics, who label in quote “ immigrants are taking American jobs ″
He explains “ the reality is that immigrants actually help grow the labour force .in fact , over the last five years , immigrants workers have accounted for about 88% of US labour force growth , filling jobs that help sustain businesses and families across the country "
He added that despite the significant contribution to grow USA economy , the immigrants continue to be excluded in social programs , such as social security , Medicare and many cash assistance program in USA .
Mr Joof reflected on the positions of immigrants during the covid pandemic as frontliners in health care, food production, grocery stores , delivery services and caregiving just to ensure communities are save risking their own health .
He rejected the labelling of immigrants are criminals or people from mental institutions , he calls for equality and social justice for all especially the immigrants from west Africa .