Enforcing Current Immigration Laws Will Recover Eight Million Jobs for Legal Workers

Targeted News Service
December 3, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C.

Rep. Rodney M. Alexander, R-La. (5th CD), issued the following news release:

U.S. Rep. Rodney Alexander, R-Quitman, today urged President Obama once again to aid American workers by recovering the eight million jobs held by illegal immigrants in the United States.

The White House Forum on Jobs and Economic Growth is scheduled to begin this afternoon, and so far, any discussion regarding the millions of jobs occupied by illegal immigrants is not on the agenda.

In response to the administration's oversight of this matter, especially after the unemployment rate has climbed above 10 percent, Alexander issued the following remarks:

"By simply enforcing immigration laws, eight million jobs could be created for American citizens and legal immigrants," said Alexander.

"Our nation continues to struggle during this tough economic climate, and 15.1 million Americans are now out of work. Any actions that will recover jobs for legal workers must be taken. Utilizing worksite enforcement is one way to get this done.

"For instance, each time the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducts a worksite enforcement action, an opportunity is produced for legal workers to gain jobs that are held by illegal immigrants. Unfortunately, statistics from ICE reveal significant drops in worksite enforcement activity in the past year.

"As American jobs continue to disappear at an alarming rate, the federal government must enforce current immigration laws to the best of its ability. We must do what we can to ensure America gets back to work."

Last month, Alexander and 21 other Members of Congress sent a letter to President Obama in response to his call for job-creation suggestions. In this letter, the members recommended the enforcement of current immigration laws to open up jobs for legal workers.

Alexander continued, "A dialogue of how to take back the eight million jobs currently held by illegal immigrants is pertinent to any meeting where job creation is the focus. The White House jobs summit must include this crucial debate so real recovery can finally begin."

Contact: Jamie Hanks, 202/225-8490

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