Here's what GROK responded with on what they paid in federal income and unemployment taxes.

Based on recent estimates from various sources, the amount of federal income and employment (payroll) taxes paid per undocumented immigrant varies significantly depending on the methodology and assumptions used. I'll outline the key figures from two prominent but ideologically differing organizations: the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP), a left-leaning think tank, and the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), a conservative advocacy group focused on reducing immigration. These represent a range of stakeholder perspectives, as both have been cited in policy debates, though critics argue each has biases—ITEP in potentially overestimating tax compliance and FAIR in underestimating revenues while inflating population counts and costs.
ITEP Estimate (2022 Data)
ITEP's analysis, widely referenced across multiple reports, uses an estimated undocumented population of 10.9 million.121e2e They calculate total federal taxes paid at $59.4 billion, which equates to about $5,449 per person. This includes:
Federal payroll/employment taxes (Social Security, Medicare, and unemployment insurance): $33.9 billion total, or approximately $3,110 per person.
Federal income taxes: Not broken out separately but implied as the remainder ($25.5 billion), or about $2,339 per person.
Combined federal income and employment taxes: Roughly $5,449 per person (the full federal amount, as other federal taxes like excise are minimal or omitted).
ITEP's methodology assumes high tax compliance rates (e.g., via withholding and ITIN filings) and focuses solely on taxes borne by undocumented immigrants themselves, excluding U.S.-born children. They note that over a third of these payments fund programs like Social Security and Medicare that undocumented immigrants are largely ineligible for.8e4420b08676 Similar figures appear in analyses from groups like the American Immigration Council and the Tax Policy Center, with 2023 estimates around $66 billion in federal income and payroll taxes (about $6,000 per person for an 11 million population).cf0006078ba9
FAIR Estimate (2023 Data)
FAIR, which advocates for stricter immigration enforcement, uses a higher estimated undocumented population of 15.5 million (excluding U.S.-born children for tax calculations but including them in cost attributions).3753f2 They report gross federal taxes at $24.6 billion (net $16.2 billion after refundable credits), equating to about $1,587 per person gross. Breaking it down:
Federal payroll/employment taxes (Social Security and Medicare): $19.5 billion total, or approximately $1,258 per person.
Federal income taxes: $4.1 billion total, or about $265 per person.
Combined federal income and employment taxes: Roughly $1,523 per person gross ($23.6 billion total, excluding minor excise taxes).
FAIR's approach assumes lower average earnings, higher underground economy participation (reducing reported taxes), and subtracts refundable credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit ($3 billion) and Additional Child Tax Credit ($5.4 billion) claimed via ITINs or mixed-status households.71b208 They emphasize that these taxes cover only about 17% of the $182 billion gross costs they attribute to illegal immigration (net burden $150.7 billion), including education and healthcare for U.S.-born children of undocumented immigrants, which they count as immigration-related expenses.42a28a0e5eec
Key Differences and Context
Population and Scope: ITEP's lower population (10.9-11 million) aligns with Pew Research and the Center for Migration Studies, leading to higher per-person figures.a0d9f1 FAIR's 15.5 million includes groups like DACA recipients and parolees as "illegal," diluting per-person taxes while expanding costs to cover 5.4 million U.S.-born children.0aa713
Assumptions: ITEP focuses on direct taxes paid and assumes broader compliance, substantiated by IRS data on ITIN filings and withholding.f7ddb8 FAIR adjusts downward for tax avoidance and upward for costs, including benefits for citizen children, which critics like the Cato Institute and American Immigration Council argue overstates burdens and undercounts revenues (e.g., ignoring economic contributions beyond taxes).2881b7adca11
Net Impact: Both agree undocumented immigrants pay substantial payroll taxes but are ineligible for most benefits funded by them. However, FAIR claims a large net drain ($150.7 billion overall), while ITEP and others like the Congressional Budget Office suggest immigrants (including undocumented) often pay more in taxes than they receive in services over time.b58f0d121c87
These estimates are not definitive, as actual tax data on undocumented immigrants is limited due to their status. Independent sources like the CBO report varying impacts, with recent immigration surges adding both revenues (e.g., sales taxes) and costs (e.g., education).7f23b1 For the most current or state-specific data, consulting IRS or government reports directly is recommended.