7/1/2010 - McKeon Statement on President’s Immigration Speech

Inland Empire - Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-Santa Clarita) today issued the following statement after President Obama’s immigration reform speech at American University:

“Americans are tired of empty promises where immigration is concerned.  They are angry and alarmed by the increasing number of illegal immigrants and violent drug cartels along the borders. 

“In his immigration reform speech, the President unfortunately outlined a path to citizenship for the over20 million illegal immigrants currently living in our country, when the majority of Americans – including me – oppose any form of amnesty.  It only creates an incentive for illegal immigrants to hold out within our borders until they are no longer considered illegal.  For what other criminal acts do we grant such immunity?

“California’s unemployment rate is notably over 12%, one of the highest in the entire country, with some areas of my district, including Victorville and Palmdale, at upwards of 15-16% unemployment; and yet, the President is ready to grant citizenship to the eight million illegal immigrants currently in the U.S. labor force, thereby allowing them to fill jobs Americans desperately need and want. 

“As a member of the Reclaim American Jobs Caucus in Congress, I firmly believe we should instead widely and strongly enforce current immigration laws and implement the E-Verify system to stop employers from hiring illegal immigrants.  Audits and fines – as outlined by the President – will do nothing to reduce the hiring of illegal immigrants."