The American race for president has put immigration to the top of the national conversation. Some candidates argue that immigrants are a drag on U.S. taxpayers. Illegal immigrants cost the U.S. economy about $113 billion every year, said a report released by the Federation for American Immigration Reform in 2010. That conservative group, which supports stronger limits on immigration, said state and local governments pay most of the cost. But how much do illegal immigrants pay in taxes? According to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, a non-partisan research group, about $11.64 billion a year in state and local taxes. Matt Gardner is the executive director of the Institute. He says it is difficult to know the exact costs of illegal immigration. He says many estimates are guesses. But he says he believes illegal immigrants pay a lot of tax.