Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Smith: Administration’s Immigration Enforcement Isn’t Smart or Effective






For Immediate Release
October 5, 2011
                                        
Contact: Jessica Baker, (202) 225-3951
 
 
 
Smith: Administration’s Immigration Enforcement Isn’t Smart or Effective 


Washington, D.C. — Today, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano spoke at American University regarding the Obama administration’s record on immigration enforcement and border security.  House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) issued the following statement in response to Secretary Napolitano’s comments.

Chairman Smith: “Secretary Napolitano continues to mislabel the Obama administration’s enforcement of our immigration laws as smart and effective.  But there is nothing smart about it—seven million illegal immigrants work in the U.S. while 14 million Americans are unemployed.  Worksite enforcement activities are down 70 percent.  The Obama administration has abandoned worksite enforcement, allowing illegal workers to take jobs that should go to American workers.  

“According to the Government Accountability Office, only 44 percent of the Southwest border is under operational control.  With this sort of record, it’s clear the Obama administration’s plan is not effective.


“If we are going to have smart and effective immigration enforcement, we need to enforce all of our immigration laws and turn off the jobs magnet that encourages illegal immigration.  One way to accomplish these goals is to require all U.S. employers to use E-Verify.  This web-based program quickly identifies illegal immigrants working in the U.S. and protects jobs for American workers by checking the Social Security numbers of new hires. Expanding E-Verify is an important step toward protecting jobs for American workers and eliminating the jobs magnet that draws millions of illegal workers to the U.S.”


House Judiciary Committee

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