February 25, 2015

Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada’s First District hand delivered a letter today to Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt regarding his testimony to the House Judiciary Committee on the decision to join two dozen states in a lawsuit challenging the President’s Executive Action on Immigration. In his prepared testimony, Nevada’s Attorney General claimed the implementation of DAPA and extension of DACA would cause undue economic hardship to Nevada. Titus’ letter points to evidence showing that the Executive Actions would in fact decrease the Federal deficit and increase both Nevada and U.S. GDP.            

The full text of the letter can be found here:

February 25, 2015

Dear Attorney General Laxalt,

I write regarding your testimony at the House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary on February 25, 2015, about the lawsuit filed by 26 states challenging the President’s Executive Action on Immigration.

I am concerned that you signed the State of Nevada onto a frivolous lawsuit that has legal standing based on the claim that the President’s Executive Action on Immigration would create economic hardship on the states involved. In your written testimony, you state that “the states cannot protect themselves from the costs inflicted by the [Federal] Government when 4.3 million individuals are granted legal presence.” Please provide specific evidence that demonstrates the costs that Nevada would incur if DAPA and expanded DACA were implemented to cover undocumented immigrants in our state.

Data show granting administrative relief to qualified undocumented immigrants would actually help decrease the Federal deficit and increase U.S. GDP. It is expected that because of a growing legal workforce, average wages for all workers will increase by $170 a year, the Federal deficit will be reduced by $25 billion, and GDP will increase from $90 billion to $210 billion over the next ten years. In addition, it is estimated that the President’s Executive Action will increase Nevada’s GDP from $700 million to $1.7 billion over the next ten years, and lead to $21 million in increased tax revenues for the state over 5 years. In short, by not implementing the Executive Action policies we are adding $7.5 billion to the deficit.

I urge you to refocus your efforts as Nevada’s Attorney General to more critical matters that are facing Nevadans, like protecting victims of domestic violence and child trafficking, and defending the State’s interests when it comes to stopping Yucca Mountain.

Sincerely,

Dina Titus
Member of Congress