Amid growing concerns about the future of the U.S. economy, Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) made a striking appeal for increased reliance on illegal labor to sustain America’s economic growth.
Speaking at a Tuesday hearing with Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, Salazar emphasized that without foreign workers, particularly in key sectors, the nation’s expansion could stall.
Salazar pointed out that significant labor shortages have emerged in construction, hospitality and agriculture, industries critical to the country’s infrastructure and food supply.
“Most of those people are working in three main sectors—construction, hospitality, and agriculture… we’re talking about 15% of the economy,” she explained, linking the worker shortfall in part to immigration enforcement policies.
She referenced what ICE leadership calls “collateral damage,” describing deportations that have inadvertently drained the workforce.
“We want to continue growing. We’re the number one economy in the world… if we don’t have those hands, then we don’t grow,” Salazar declared, framing immigration not just as a humanitarian or political issue but an economic necessity.
Her position signals a divergence from the prevailing MAGA movement, which largely favors tighter immigration restrictions.
Powell, while not endorsing Salazar’s call for more illegal labor, agreed with the underlying economic facts.
“It’s really