Sessions On Immigration Bill: ‘Somebody Has To Defend The American Worker’

Attached and linked here is the analysis on the future flow in the Gang’s immigration plan. Specifically, the plan would provide legal immigrant status to approximately 32 million over ten years, plus nonimmigrant worker visas to 25 million, totaling 57 million.]

May 3, 2013

For Immediate Release

Contact: Stephen Miller, 202.224.4124

Sessions On Immigration Bill: ‘Somebody Has To Defend The American Worker’

“Somebody has to defend the American worker. Just because the businesses like it, just because immigration advocates like it, just because politicians like it, does not mean that’s serving the national interest… We think this is a matter of humanitarian interest. It’s an important matter, even, of civil rights. The obligation we have as American policymakers in Congress to consider what is in the long-term national interest of America. We have 90 million people outside the work force, 47 million on food stamps. Shouldn’t we be working to make sure every single American citizen now dependent on social services of the government be provided with the first opportunity to achieve a good job with a decent pay with a retirement plan and a healthcare plan? That’s got to be our goal”

WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL), a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, held a conference call today to discuss the future flow of immigration resulting from the Gang of Eight’s plan. Excerpts of the call follow:

“This is a number [those provided legal status under the Gang’s plan in 10 years] that exceeds the population of the state of California, our largest state. And it’s a very, very significant impact on our economy and the American people…

These numbers give real warning to the American people of what is about to occur…as you look at these numbers and the flow that will occur in the future, it’s going to be huge. And it’s going to be a larger impact than most Americans expect…

There is an assumption here that illegal immigration will end [under this plan], but that is just not the case. The triggers are not going to work. ICE will not be allowed to focus aggressively on interior enforcement or be increased. Local police will remain shut out. Border triggers do not require anything from the Secretary other than a plan, really. And this Border Commission only activates if the Secretary decides to do so. There’s no requirement of fencing. The Secretary has already said, in fact, she doesn’t think we need any more fencing… I think we need to understand as Commissioner Kirsanow has so eloquently stated that this large flow of workers will impact working Americans significantly. It will reduce their salaries. Dynamic scoring will not change that…

There are flaws, big time, in the bill. And the question is, will the bill sponsors, the Gang of Eight, circle the wagon and stick together as they promised to do and defend the bill?

I do think if you offer a plan it has to be a plan you can honestly explain to the American people and [one that] will serve the national interest. Somebody has to defend the American worker. Just because the businesses like it, just because immigration advocates like it, just because politicians like it, does not mean that’s serving the national interest… My view is, if you offer a bill you have a responsibility to tell the American people the truth about it, what it will do, and to defend the bill you offered… I truly believe this legislation is dangerous. I believe that as the American people understand it more clearly their opinion of it will sink further… It just looks like they’re determined to move a bill that will not do the job for America…

We should have had panels each week for months dealing with the economic impact, dealing with what the future flow will be, dealing with how the boarder is going to be enforced, dealing with how the entry/exit visa system will be set up. Those are complicated issues, each one of them very complicated. And if they’re not done right the bucket will still have a hole in it and the water will run out. You have got to do each one of those correctly and if done correctly we can create a system of immigration we are proud of. We can do it. We can end the lawlessness substantially. And create a system the American people will be proud of…

We think this is a matter of humanitarian interest. It’s an important matter, even, of civil rights. The obligation we have as American policymakers in Congress to consider what is in the long-term national interest of America. We have 90 million people outside the work force, 47 million on food stamps. Shouldn’t we be working to make sure every single American citizen now dependent on social services of the government be provided with the first opportunity to achieve a good job with a decent pay with a retirement plan and a healthcare plan? That’s got to be our goal.”

U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) serves on four Senate committees: Armed Services, Judiciary, Environment and Public Works, and as Ranking Member of the Budget Committee. Visit Sessions online at his website or via YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter. Note: Please do not reply to this email. For further information, contact Sen. Sessions’ Press Office at (202) 224-4124.