Mark Lamb on Newsmax: Put Americans First on Immigration

Retired Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb, and Republican Nominee for Arizona's 5th Congressional District, joined Joe Pinion on Newsmax's Greg Kelly Reports for a discussion about immigration policy and the future of the American Dream.

The discussion examined how years of illegal immigration can place added pressure on housing, jobs and public resources. Lamb argued that these consequences are the result of federal policy choices and that Washington has a responsibility to protect American citizens, enforce the law and preserve opportunity for the next generation.

Watch The Full Interview

Illegal immigration affects more than the border (3:02)

Lamb said the effects of illegal immigration do not end when someone crosses the border. They reach communities throughout the country and can affect the availability and cost of housing, competition for jobs, public safety and taxpayer-funded services.

Drawing on his experience as sheriff of Arizona's Pinal County, Lamb described the situation as a consequence of federal decisions that allowed millions of people to enter the United States in a short period of time.

Housing supply and affordability (3:02-4:29)

The panel discussed whether rapid population growth caused by illegal immigration adds pressure to an already strained housing market.

Lamb's point was straightforward: millions of additional people need somewhere to live. When the housing supply is already limited, that added demand can make it harder for American families to find an affordable home or rental.

"How can it not affect housing?" Lamb asked.

For young Americans trying to buy their first home and families struggling with rising rent, Lamb said immigration policy cannot be separated from the national affordability crisis.

Competition in the job market (4:25-4:31)

Lamb also connected illegal immigration to employment. He argued that a sudden increase in the labor supply can affect American workers, especially those already struggling to find dependable work or earn enough to keep pace with the cost of living.

"How can it not affect the job market?" Lamb said. "It has absolutely done that."

His broader message was that federal immigration policy should protect the wages, opportunities and economic security of American workers.

Taxpayer dollars and public benefits (4:35-5:15)

Another focus of the interview was the use of taxpayer money to support programs serving people who entered or remain in the country illegally.

Lamb criticized government funding that, in his view, flowed through public programs and nongovernmental organizations while American citizens struggled to afford basic needs. He also referenced a claim from Stephen Miller concerning fraudulent Social Security payments to people in the country illegally.

The central issue, Lamb said, is whom the federal government is serving. Taxpayer-funded programs should protect eligible Americans, including seniors who paid into Social Security and young people working to build a secure future.

Protecting the American Dream

Throughout the discussion, Lamb tied immigration policy to a larger question: Can the next generation still work hard, buy a home and build a better life?

When housing becomes less affordable, jobs become harder to secure and tax dollars are diverted through waste or fraud, the American Dream moves further out of reach. Lamb argued that the federal government must reverse policies that put American families last.

"We have to make sure we're putting the American people first, putting America first," Lamb said.

A Call for Unity and Action

Border security and immigration enforcement should not divide Americans who share the same basic goals: safe communities, fair opportunities, responsible use of taxpayer dollars and a secure future for their children.

America is a nation of laws and a nation built by people who believe in hard work. We can respect legal immigration while insisting that our borders are secure, our laws are enforced and our government remains accountable to the citizens it serves.

Mark Lamb is ready to take that fight to Congress, but lasting change requires Americans to stand together and take action. Watch and share the full interview, talk with your neighbors about what is at stake, and join Mark's campaign to help put the American people first.