The fate of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals – the policy that allows children of people who immigrated to the U.S. illegally – is now in the hands of Congress.
If lawmakers decide to roll back the program, known as DACA, there could be an economic cost for North Carolina.
Earlier this year, economists at the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank, tried to take a look at what it would cost the U.S. economy and government if DACA disappears. Now, they've broken it down by state.
In North Carolina, they estimate an economic hit of $7.8 billion over ten years. And they say it would hit the state budget for about $2.2 billion.
All told, Cato estimates roughly a $10 billion loss for North Carolina if DACA is rolled back.
Why is the number so high? According to economist Ike Brannon, Dreamers – the people protected by DACA – tend to do well in school and in the job market once they graduate.
The state of DACA was put in jeopardy this week after the White House announced it would no longer support the policy. President Trump has asked Congress to take action.