Illegal immigration is hurting Mississippi taxpayers, according to a new report released Monday by State Auditor Shad White.

“Mississippi’s illegal immigration problems is spiraling out of control, and is costing taxpayers millions,” said White. “Our public schools, hospitals, and prisons will continue to lose massive sums of money that we could have spent on our own citizens if this problem is not solved.”

Analysts from the Auditor’s Office estimate there are at least 22,000 illegal immigrants currently living in Mississippi. Using conservative estimates, analysts then estimate that illegal immigration costs the state’s taxpayers more than $100 million annually.

The report shows spending on education, healthcare, and public safety drives this cost. Taxpayers annually pay approximately:

• $25 million to educate illegal immigrants in K-12 public schools
• $77 million to provide healthcare to illegal immigrants and their children
• $1.7 million to incarcerate illegal immigrants

The full report titled “How Illegal Immigration Hurts Taxpayers” can be found here, or on the “Reports” tab on the Auditor’s website and searching “immigration.”