Ted Cruz argued Thursday that it would be an error to forgive any of the illegal immigrants who came to the United States, even those with job skills that Donald Trump says should be allowed to reapply.
“We have always welcomed legal immigrants, but I think it is a mistake to forgive those who break the law to allow them to become U.S. citizens,” Cruz said in the GOP debate hosted by CNN. “And that’s why I’ve led the fight against granting citizenship to those here illegally, and that’s why I’ll do the same as president.”
Trump said at the same event that he’ll allow many to reapply for legal status, but Cruz said the problem with Trump’s plan is that it would still put downward pressure on U.S. wages.
“The people that get forgotten in this debate over immigration are the hardworking men and women in this country, are the millions of Americans who are losing their jobs, millions of legal immigrants who are losing their jobs, they’re seeing their wages driven down,” he said.
He said when Arizona imposed tough immigration laws, wages rose, and the state spent less money on welfare and other programs. He said that’s the kind of policy the federal government needs to pursue to help U.S. citizens find and keep work, and at decent wages.
“That’s who we need to be fighting for,” he said.
