Congressman Lou Barletta Speaks Out on President Obama's Immigration Reform

Immigration reform is a major policy that Congress wants to accomplish this year but Congressman Lou Barletta says he will voice his concerns loud and clear.  Congressman Barletta is nationally known for his vocal opposition to illegal immigration.  He described President Obama's immigration reform with one word, "amnesty."  "You're giving a green light to millions of people around the world who will flock to the United States and then take advantage of the citizenship that Americans get."

He says its amnesty America can't afford.  Under President Obama's plan, 11 million illegal immigrants would be given a pathway to citizenship.  Barletta says a recent study by the Heritage Foundation revealed that would cost the U.S. 2.6 trillion dollars more a year even after all the tax revenue was collected, "The reason will be the cost to Medicare, social security, unemployment compensation, food stamps and other welfare programs; not to mention because everyone will be entitled to Obama Care immediate from day one."

Barletta says at a time when millions of Americans are out of work and Washington is cutting programs, trying to balance a budget, we can't afford it.  He also believes it's an injustice to legal immigrants that are already here, "Unfortunately the legal immigrants who came here for a better opportunity may actually be denied that opportunity because of a proposal like this."

Congressman Barletta says we need to focus on securing the border and enforcing immigration laws that have been in the books for years.  He says he will continue to speak out against President Obama's proposal but won't be surprised if it gets passed this year.