Retiring Republican Representative’s Take on Immigration and Labor Bill
Rep. Don Bacon, a retiring Republican, expressed that “hate” and “stupidity” drive opposition to his backing of a labor bill aimed at rural economies. This comes as several of his fellow Republicans have quietly distanced themselves from advocating for amnesty.
Bacon noted from polling data that around 35% of people harbor animosity towards all immigrants and voice these feelings quite loudly. He tweeted this perspective recently.
When a former official from the Trump administration criticized the pro-investor bill, Bacon shot back, saying, “It’s time to stand up to stupidity.”
In Pennsylvania, Congressman Glenn Thompson introduced the Securing America’s Workforce Act (SAWA), which would allow more wage-capped H-2A workers into the rural economy. The legislation also opens pathways for many undocumented individuals in the U.S. to obtain legal status through employment with food companies.
Rosemary Jenks, founder of the Immigrant Responsibility Project, raised concerns about the bill’s implications, suggesting it could lead to job losses and diminished spending power for local businesses, which could hurt young Americans looking for employment.
So far, four out of 47 Republican supporters have announced their withdrawal from the bill: Mike Flood of Nebraska, Tim Moore from North Carolina, Brian Jack of Georgia, and Mark Messmer of Indiana.
Flood stated that based on feedback from voters and farmers in Nebraska, the provisions of the American Workforce Security Act do not best serve immigration laws. He emphasized he would not support anything that might compromise the gains in border security achieved under Trump’s leadership.
William Gien, president of the pro-American group ALIPAC, shared that more Republicans may abandon the bill. He indicated that some co-sponsors might not fully understand the amnesty aspects within the proposed legislation, which could have far-reaching consequences for current immigration laws.
Bacon, despite his retirement this year, has been a strong advocate in the past, backed by the National Party and supported by various agricultural groups in a district that includes many immigrant-operated businesses. He noted that many meat processors are utilizing the current administration’s supply of legalized refugees and others to cut labor costs instead of investing in technology.
Bacon also pointed out that Trump’s policies led to limited immigrant options, forcing companies to increase wages and invest in technology. A recent report indicated that JBS, a major meatpacking company, has offered its workers better pay and benefits through a new union contract.
Higher wages for meat processors could benefit workers in other sectors, enhancing overall family incomes.
The legislation Bacon backed would allow meatpacking companies to recruit H-2A workers as long as they hire or invest in American workers. Bacon has historically supported immigration measures that benefit local businesses in his district.
He recently spoke about the consequences of revoking Temporary Protected Status for Haitians, arguing it would harm the economy and healthcare by displacing numerous legal workers.
While Bacon insists that this H-2A amnesty has support among Christians, public opinion polls indicate a considerable opposition to using immigrants as a means to reduce wages and raise living costs.
In contrast, Trump and other key Republicans are leaning towards strategies that prioritize higher wages and automation rather than lower-wage immigration. Trump suggests that a streamlined approach could lead to advancements in technology, stating the need for integration with automation moving forward.
Brinker Harding, a Republican candidate running to replace Bacon, has a platform that focuses more on the deportation of criminal illegal immigrants rather than immigration policy specifics.
