Wicker, other GOPers, take Napolitano to task
WASHINGTON – Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and 11 Republican colleagues took issue today with Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano’s recent remarks on immigration.
Speaking to the Center for American Progress on Nov. 13, Napolitano touted the Obama administration’s desire to enact a program to legalize millions of undocumented individuals, adding it would be a “boon” to the nation’s economy.
In their Nov. 20 letter to Napolitano, the senators expressed dismay with her views.
“We take exception to your argument …,” the senators stated. “You said, ‘Requiring illegal immigrants to register to earn legal status…will strengthen our economy as these immigrants become full?paying taxpayers. As labor leaders have made clear to me, immigration reform will be a boon to American workers.’
“With all due respect, legalizing those who have no legal right to be in the United States will not be a ‘boon’ to American workers. Rather, it would only exacerbate the unfair competition American workers currently face as they struggle to find jobs,” the senators wrote.
In addition to Hatch, the letter was signed by Iowa Sen. Charles Grassley, Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions, Kentucky Sen. Jim Bunning, Oklahoma Sen. James Inhofe, South Dakota Sen. John Thune, Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker, Louisiana Sen. David Vitter, Georgia Sens. Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson, and Idaho Sens. Mike Crapo and James Risch.
Mainstreet
11/24/9
