Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.) ran into trouble last week when he openly acknowledged one of the Senate immigration bill’s largest flaws.
If the comprehensive immigration bill were to pass, immigrants legalized under the legislation would be ineligible to claim public benefits, potentially leading employers to hire illegal immigrants as opposed to American citizens in an efforts to dodge the costs of providing healthcare.
Thus, during an immigration townhall sponsored by the Arizona Republic in Mesa, Ariz., last Tuesday, I asked participating Sens. McCain and Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) via Twitter about this potential issue.
“I think it’s a problem… I think it’s a problem. I don’t know what else to say except that,” admitted Sen. McCain.
McCain acknowledged that the prospect of continued low wages for the 11 million illegal immigrants currently living in the shadows might dissipate if comprehensive immigration reform is passed.
With employers facing healthcare mandates under Obamacare applicable only to American citizens, those 11 million will face better workforce opportunities as they become an inexpensive alternative to American workers and thus, a priority to employers.
At odds with Sen. McCain’s remarks is Alex Nowrasteh, an immigration expert at the libertarian Cato Institute said the idea of American citizens losing jobs to immigrants is “something that virtually no learned person believes in. It’s sort of a silly thing,” according to National Journal.
So “silly,” in fact, that five democratic U.S. Senators asked by The Weekly Standard if the Senate immigration bill “would create a big financial incentive for some employers to hire non-citizens granted legal status over American citizens,” couldn’t answer the question.
Responses varied between “I don’t know,” “I’d have to look at the Affordable Care Act…” and “I don’t have to time to drill down on it right now.” Obamacare’s primary author, Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mon.), even admitted, “We’re trying to solve that right now. I don’t know if that’s been solved.”
Despite Sen. Baucus’s remark, the Senate subsequently passed the bill with the problem unaddressed.
When Congress reconvenes Sep. 9, the debate over defunding Obamacare, a continuing resolution and Syria will monopolize its calendar. Meanwhile, lurking in the debate over immigration reform is an indisputable Catch-22.
How will right-wing advocates for immigration reform — like McCain and Flake — protect the American worker while simultaneously assuring Conservatives social benefits will be unavailable to those granted legal status? For now, the two vows are completely conflicting and if left unaddressed, it will be the American worker who loses.
Watch the immigration townhall below.
