Smith: DREAM Act Exacerbates Illegal Immigration Problem

Smith: DREAM Act Exacerbates Illegal Immigration Problem

Washington, D.C. – Senate Democrats today reintroduced the DREAM Act, legislation that would legalize millions of illegal immigrants currently living in the United States.  Following the introduction of this bill, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) released the statement below. 

Chairman Smith:  “It’s time for the Democrats to wake up to the reality that millions of Americans face right now: an unemployment crisis.  Nearly 26 million Americans are unemployed or underemployed yet Democrats are rallying for legislation that would make this problem worse.  The DREAM Act would prevent Americans from getting jobs since millions of illegal immigrants will become eligible to work legally in the United States. 

“I am sympathetic to the young illegal immigrant children who were brought to the United States illegally by their parents, but the DREAM Act doesn’t solve our illegal immigration problem, it exacerbates it.  Amnesty will encourage millions more parents to bring their children to the U.S. illegally.

“Congress is supposed to act on behalf of the American people, not illegal immigrants.  And the American people want us to focus on creating jobs and getting Americans back to work.  It is pointless to talk about any new immigration proposal that grants amnesty since the border is not secure and our immigration laws are not fully unenforced.”