Obama in 2008 Warned That Illegal Immigration Was Hurting American Jobs (VIDEO) In 2008, then-Senator Barack Obama criticized the George W. Bush administration for not controlling illegal immigration, calling it an extraordinary problem. He connected this issue to the American people’s economic concerns, particularly job losses and insecurity. Obama argued that employers exploited undocumented labor, leading to lower wages and unsafe working conditions for American workers.

• Barack Obama criticized the Bush administration in 2008 for failing to control illegal immigration.
• Obama stated that the entry of millions of undocumented workers was an extraordinary problem.
• He linked illegal immigration to the deterioration of the American economy and job insecurity.
• Obama claimed employers exploited undocumented labor by paying below minimum wage and ignoring safety laws.
• This exploitation harmed American workers by driving down wages.