How Indian immigrants help US economy: By saving $1.7 mn per person, says Manhattan study

While the White House continues to crack down on immigration by condemning Democratic states for “harbouring illegal aliens” or launching strict visa policies, a study by the Manhattan Institute has shown that Indian immigrants are the most economically beneficial group among the lot in the US.

Daniel Di Martino, a fellow at the Manhattan Institute and the author of the study, said, “The average Indian immigrant and his or her descendants will save the federal government $1.7 million over 30 years.”

The study comes after the Trump administration slammed California for issuing a driver’s license to an Indian immigrant named Jashanpreet Singh, who was arrested for a horrific pile-up that left three people dead in the state.

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Crazy people on X are bashing Indian immigrants, but my new research published today finds that Indians are the best major country of origin group of immigrants.

The average Indian immigrant and his or her descendants will save the federal government $1.7 million over 30 years. pic.twitter.com/I8YdTBtBvU

— Daniel Di Martino 🇺🇸🇻🇪 (@DanielDiMartino) October 23, 2025

According to the report, Chinese immigrants rank just behind Indians, cutting the national debt by more than $800,000 over 30 years. They are followed by Filipinos, who reduce it by over $600,000, while Colombians and Venezuelans lower it by roughly $500,000 and $400,000, respectively.

The findings carry added significance amid recent restrictions on migrant workers,  including skilled professionals entering the United States on H-1B visas, imposed by the Donald Trump administration.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, earlier this year, said that the US has deported over 15,000 Indians since 2009.

Singh’s case has renewed the debate in the US over the issue of immigration, which has become a strong issue in the country under the Trump 2.0 administration.

“As for this case in California, on October 22, ICE lodged an immigration detainer for this individual following his arrest by local authorities in California on charges of manslaughter while intoxicated and driving under the influence. He killed three people. And he first entered the United States in 2022 through the southern border. And he was released into our country by the previous administration," White House Press Secretary Karoline Levitt said.