As the Senate Judiciary Committee convened to discuss President-elect Donald Trump’s immigration policies on Tuesday, Republican Missouri Senator Josh Hawley wasted no time in confronting American Immigration Council senior fellow Aaron Reichlin-Melnick about the impact of illegal immigration on the American job market. In a heated exchange, Hawley asked Melnick point-blank: “Why would you want American citizens and those who are here lawfully to have to compete against illegal immigrants?”
Hawley argued that Democrats’ support for open borders and mass deportation policies would only hurt the American economy and drive down wages. He pointed out that illegal immigrants often receive lower pay and are not entitled to federally mandated benefits, making them attractive to employers looking to cut costs. “Why would you want to drive down the wages of millions of working Americans…because illegal immigrants are getting [jobs]?” Hawley questioned.
Melnick, however, stood by his support for a “path to citizenship” for illegal immigrants, claiming that they are already a part of the labor force and cannot “flood” it. But Hawley was quick to counter, stating that the current influx of illegal immigrants is already having a negative impact on working class wages. “What world do you live in?…The American people had a good look at your economic record and then voted against it,” Hawley exclaimed.
Indeed, the impact of illegal immigration on the American workforce is a major concern for many. As Trump prepares to take office and fulfill his promise to strengthen the U.S.-Mexico border and enforce mass deportations, pro-immigration activists have warned that this will harm the economy. But according to Trump-Vance transition spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt, Trump’s policies will instead “deport migrant criminals” and bring back “economic greatness.”
And the numbers don’t lie. A study by the Center for Immigration Studies found that immigrant labor exerts a “downward pressure” on the wages of American workers, especially those with only a high school diploma or less. This only confirms what many have been saying for years – illegal immigration hurts the American worker.
But the liberal media would have you believe otherwise, downplaying the impact of illegal immigration and pushing a pro-immigration agenda. Let’s stand with Senator Hawley and President-elect Trump in putting American workers first and securing our borders. It’s time to bring back jobs and economic prosperity for all Americans, not just a select few.