A Texas Congressman has introduced a new bill aimed at limiting work opportunities for undocumented immigrants in the United States. Brandon Gill, a Republican, unveiled the "Domestic Jobs Protection Act" on Tuesday. He believes this legislation will help safeguard American jobs from illegal immigration.
Gill’s proposal seeks to remove the executive branch’s power to grant work authorization to individuals who are in the country illegally. He argues that this change is necessary to prevent future administrations from using work permits to allow more undocumented immigrants to enter the workforce.
In an interview, Gill praised former President Trump, stating that he had done more for American workers than any other president. He emphasized the importance of protecting American jobs and ensuring that work permits are not used to facilitate illegal immigration.
Currently, the Department of Homeland Security has the authority to issue work permits to certain undocumented immigrants, including those with temporary protected status or those involved in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Gill’s office claims that these work authorizations act as a "jobs magnet," attracting more illegal immigration.
The Domestic Jobs Protection Act aims to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to ensure that only Congress can decide who gets work authorization. This means that future administrations would not be able to exploit discretionary work permits to expand programs like DACA.
Gill’s bill would change the legal definition of an unauthorized alien regarding employment, removing the phrase that allows the Attorney General to authorize work. This would mean that the power to grant work permits would rest solely with Congress.
As the debate over immigration continues, Gill’s bill reflects ongoing concerns about the impact of illegal immigration on American workers. The proposal is part of a broader discussion about how to manage immigration and protect jobs in the United States.
