Illegal Immigration Hurts Lower Skilled Citizens and Legal Immigrants

Washington, DC – Ranking Member Lamar Smith (R-TX) issued the following statement today in response to a report from the Center for American Progress and Immigration Policy Center. 

“The fact is that illegal immigrants take jobs from American workers, particularly poor and disadvantaged citizens and legal immigrants. Even the study admits that the best outcome for American low-skilled workers is the removal of the illegal immigrant population. 

“The very jobs that illegal immigrants occupy rightfully belong to out of work citizens and legal immigrants. 

“With 15 million Americans out of work, it's hard to believe that anyone would give amnesty to 12 million illegal immigrants.   We must stand up for citizens and legal immigrants.”