Walker Immigration Remarks Add Fuel To Pro-Immigrant Marches

Gov. Scott Walker’s recent conservative turn against immigration may provide extra motivation for the marchers in pro-immigration events Friday in Milwaukee and Madison.

During his GOP presidential primary campaign appearances, the governor has said he no longer backs what he calls “amnesty” for undocumented immigrants who are in the United States illegally. Walker also recently advocated limits on legal immigration—a point he reinforced this week in Milwaukee.

“If the unemployment rate is high, because the economy is poor, and labor participation rates are low, why would we want to flood the market when people who are already here — be they citizens or here otherwise legally — are looking for work because it’s difficult times?” Walker said.

Immigration march organizers in Milwaukee and Madison charge that Walker’s remarks and his proposed state budget are attacks on immigrants and the poor.