Steven Camarota of the Center for Immigration Studies might want to think that immigrants are a burden to the taxpayers ["Study: Immigrants add $10.6B to LI Economy," Oct. 28], but the Adelphi University study clearly shows what many Long Islanders already know: Immigrants are good for Long Island business and good for the economy. They generate some $10.6 billion in economic activity, which created more than 82,000 jobs in 2006. As the rest of us, they pay taxes that run our schools, infrastructure and public programs such as Medicare and Social Security.

Immigrants and their families are an important part of our community life and cultural fabric and as older workers retire and leave gaps in our workforce, they will not only be helpful, but indispensable in keeping our economy strong.

Hector Figueroa

Editor's note: The writer is secretary-treasurer of the building service workers union 32BJ SEIU.