MYTH: “A MAJORITY OF AMERICANS SUPPORT IMMIGRATION REFORM.”
4.
Fact: So-called “immigration reform” (amnesty for illegal immigrants and a large increase
in foreign workers) is overwhelmingly opposed by the American public and opposition is
growing.
I Only 3 percent of Americans think immigration reform is a priority. (Gallup, Jan. 15,
2014)
Only 12 percent of centrist voters strongly support “providing illegal immigrants with a
path to citizenship even though they have broken the rules.” 38 percent of centríst
voters strongly oppose. (Esquire-NBC News, Oct. 15, 2013)
55 percent of Americans support a decrease in legal immigration and only 28 percent
support an increase. {FoxNews, April 2013)
0 60 percent of likely voters strongly believe that American companies should try harder
to recruit and train unemployed Americans instead of hiring foreign Workers. (Pulse
Opinion Research, Aug. 15, 2013)
0 While the majority of Iower- and middle-income voters, political moderates, and
conservatives oppose increases in immigration, the Wealthy, politically Well-
connected, and liberals support increases in immigration. (Rasmussen, Jan. 17, 2014)
o Pew Research Center and CBS polls this year found that over 60 percent of
Americans want the current legal immigration levels either held constant or
reduced. Tellingly, Rasmussen found that support for an increase was skewed
towards upper-income Americans earning over $200,000. (Daily Caller, May 17,
2013)
0 62 percent of Americans think legalization should come only after the border is
secured, and only 5 percent actually believe the government would do so if
immigration reform passed. (Rasmussen, Oct. 2013)
MYTH: “WE NEED A GUEST WORKER PROGRAM TO FILL LABOR SHORTAGES AND JOBS
THAT AMERICANS WON’T DO.”
Fact: As soon as illegal immigrants are granted legal status and work authorization, they
will be able to compete for any job anywhere in America - we are not simply talking about
agricultural workers and roofers. Only 2 percent of immigrants and guest workers to be
admitted under the Senate bill, for instance, are doing farm work - the other 98 percent
would be working in every sector ofthe U.S. economy.
According to reports, House proposals, like the Senate bill, will include a huge influx of
foreign workers.
According to CBO, the Senate bill would add 46 million new permanent residents by
2033.
0 CBO also confirmed that the number of guest workers would increase to 2.8 million
by 2033 under the Senate bill.
~ Americans have been clear about their views on immigration’s impact on the
workforce.
55 percent of Americans support a decrease in legal immigration and only 28
percent support an increase. (FoxNews, April 2013)
O
75 percent of likely voters believe there are more than enough unemployed
Americans to fill any labor shortages. 71 percent said employers should raise pay
levels to attract more candidates. (Pulse Opinion Research, Aug. 2013)
Immigration laws should not be tailored to the demands of corporate America -
they must reflect what is in the national interest and the American people.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of Americans who want
to work but have stopped searching is 2.1 million. Over 90 million Americans are
outside ofthe labor force entirely.
According to a Dec. 6, 2013, report in CNN Money: “Only about 63 percent of
Americans over the age of 16 participate in the job market - meaning they either
have a job or are looking for one. That’s nearly the lowest level since 1978,
driven partly by Baby Boomers retiring, but also by workers who had simply
given up hope after long and fruitlessjob searches.”
As White House economic adviser Gene Sperling said recently, “our economy still
has three people looking for everyjob [opening].” (CNN, Jan. 5, 2014)