New England lawmaker overlooks $26 bn revenue contribution by immigrant workers and calls for increasing the militarization of the US-Mexican border
Washington, DC—In a series of aimless attacks on immigrants, the House and Senate leadership are holding six committee hearings on immigration this week—unusual for any one issue given the Republicans in charge have offered no real solution to our country’s immigration crisis that is tearing apart millions of families, putting immigrant workers at risk of exploitation, and keeping our economy from reaching its full potential.
Since the beginning of the year, Sen. Ayotte has voted four times to repeal President Obama’s immigration action that would allow up to five million immigrant workers to apply for work permits and contribute more than $26 billion over the next five years to our economy. Today in a Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs committee hearing, the New Hampshire Senator tried to blame immigrants for illegal drug trafficking and terrorism.
Below are statements from immigrant rights advocates on Sen. Ayotte’s remarks:
Eva Millona, Executive Director of MIRA-New Hampshire:
“Senator Ayotte's outrageous bogeyman statements today discredit her longstanding, serious work toward bipartisan solutions that benefit the people of New Hampshire and make our nation safer. New Hampshire voters expect her to represent what’s best for our families and that means fixing our broken immigration system, not building up more walls and wreaking havoc on border communities more than 2000 miles away.”
Christian Ramirez, Director of Southern Border Communities Coalition:
"The Senate bill only offers tired rhetoric, unworkable plans, and political posturing at a moment when there is an urgent need for Congress to reform CBP. Political theatrics in Congress must come to end. Leaders on Capitol Hill need to get to work and ensure that the rights of tens of millions of border residents are not trampled on by an out-of-control border enforcement regime."
For Sen. Ayotte’s remarks today, click here (1:23-1:29 mark).
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