Rep. Gingrey Calls for Immigration Reform that Reduces (Not Increases) Foreign Workers

In response to Rep. Luis Gutierrez’s introduction of a comprehensive immigration reform bill (H.R. 4321), Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-Ga.) is calling for a reform plan that would reduce the importation of foreign workers, not increase it like Gutierrez’s bill likely would.

The bill introduced yesterday by Rep. Gutierrez (D-Ill.) would offer amnesty to most of the nation’s 11-18 million illegal aliens, while overhauling the country’s current immigration system. The bill doesn’t decrease any of the current visa categories and could ultimately lead to an increase in the importation of foreign workers despite an unemployment rate of 10%.

In a statement released by Rep. Gingrey’s office, the Congressman said…

The introduction today of legislation by the Democratic Majority that would ultimately grant amnesty to illegal aliens is an absolute travesty. Our economy is struggling, unemployment is at 10 percent, 15.4 million people are looking for work, and there are 6 applicants for every available job. A blanket amnesty for illegal aliens would exacerbate this situation and I am strongly opposed to it. Rewarding illegal aliens with the privilege of holding a job in the United States will not help American families struggling to make ends meet – and that, particularly in a time of economic recession, should be our focus.

I am a sponsor of the Nuclear Family Priority Act, which would eliminate ‘chain migration’ and restore the traditional immigration priority of nuclear families. Since legal and illegal immigration are inextricably linked, this is a necessary step toward securing America’s borders and reducing illegal immigration. We must protect American workers and their families first. Promoting amnesty does not do that, and I am strongly against this legislation, and any path to amnesty for illegal aliens in this country.

View a list of cosponsors for the Rep. Gingrey’s chain migration bill.