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Lamar Smith Has His Own Litmus Test For Immigration Reform

Joey Palacios
/
Texas Public Radio

As different political voices in Washington D.C. lay out their views for what immigration reform should look like, San Antonio Congressman Lamar Smith described his litmus test for viable immigration reform. 

Smith is seen an influential vote needed for immigration reform to pass the House and said there are three elements that must be included in any proposal.

"First of all we need to secure both our border and our interior," he said.

Smith points out that almost half of the undocumented in the county are here with overstayed visas and the Texas republican says American workers need to be put first.

Smith said any path to legal residency starts at the back of the line behind the throngs of people waiting to immigrate legally and proposals from other lawmakers lack substance and details.

Smith also accused President Obama of trying to stop immigration reform from happening for political gain.

David Martin Davies can be reached at dmdavies@tpr.org and on Twitter at @DavidMartinDavi