During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Tuesday, Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri confronted American Immigration Council senior fellow Aaron Reichlin-Melnick over the economic impact of illegal immigration on the American workforce. The exchange highlighted ongoing debates over how illegal immigrants affect job availability and wage levels for lawful citizens.
Hawley challenged Reichlin-Melnick’s previous assertion that mass deportations would harm industries like hospitality, construction, and agriculture. The senator accused Democrats of promoting policies that lower wages and increase job competition by allowing illegal immigrants to remain in the workforce.
“Why would you want American citizens and those who are here lawfully to have to compete against illegal immigrants who by the way are not always paid minimum wage, who are not given the federally mandated benefits precisely because they are here illegally?” Hawley asked. He argued that these conditions drive down wages for working-class Americans, particularly in industries reliant on manual labor.
Reichlin-Melnick supported a “path to citizenship” for illegal immigrants who pass background checks and pay fines. This prompted Hawley to respond that such a policy would only legalize the competition that suppresses wages and harms American workers. “Take the 13 million plus illegals who are here taking jobs from Americans, taking wages down, taking healthcare benefits, and bring them here legally so they can continue to drive down wages, flood the labor force, and suppress all of the above,” Hawley stated.
Reichlin-Melnick countered that illegal immigrants are already part of the labor force, suggesting their presence does not constitute an increase in competition. He argued that wages have risen despite their participation. Hawley rejected this claim, insisting that wages have significantly declined over the past 15 years for working-class Americans.
The confrontation comes as former President Donald Trump has pledged to reinstate mass deportations and reinforce border security if he returns to office. Trump’s policies aim to prioritize American workers and limit the economic impact of illegal immigration. According to Karoline Leavitt, spokeswoman for the Trump-Vance transition, Trump intends to “deport migrant criminals” and restore “economic greatness.”
Studies support concerns over wage suppression linked to illegal immigrant labor. The Center for Immigration Studies found that immigrant labor exerts a “downward pressure” on wages for Americans with a high school education or less. In 2023, immigrants made up 18.6% of the U.S. labor force, further fueling the debate over job market competition.
Hawley’s exchange with Reichlin-Melnick underscores a broader ideological divide over immigration and labor policies, with conservatives advocating for tighter border control to protect American workers, while progressives support pathways to legalization for existing illegal immigrants.
