'Very clear on that': CNN host pushes back after GOP lawmaker checks her on migrant claim
CNN anchor Pamela Brown fended off a "gotcha" moment from Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-FL) on the topic of undocumented immigrants paying taxes.
Brown began by discussing the potential of the Internal Revenue Service sharing "very sensitive taxpayer data" with the Department of Homeland Security "that could aid in deportations."
"You know, the only reason the IRS has this information is because these undocumented migrants voluntarily shared it," Brown said, "So, I just wonder, you know, why should people who are following the rules, paying their taxes, even if they are here illegally, be specifically singled out for deportation?"
"I think you caught yourself on that one, right? People that are following the rules," Gonzales scoffed. "These are undocumented migrants."
"Right, and I was very clear on that," Brown said.
"Okay, I got that. Okay," he mocked, before saying "It's a great point for debate."
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Gimenez continued, "But again, they are undocumented here and they're not supposed to be here. Yeah, they were trying to do something the right way, part of it. And, so, again, look, I think the courts will determine what's right or wrong on that. I tend to believe that if you're an American citizen — no, I know, I believe that if you're an American citizen and a resident and you're legally here, that your information to the IRS needs to be confidential."
Brown added, "It's estimated that undocumented migrants paid tens of billions in federal income tax in 2022. So, you do also have to raise the question, right, if this does happen, could that lead to millions of people hiding their income and potentially draining billions in revenue from the federal government, from the economy?"
Gimenez said he agreed with that premise, then went on to blame former President Joe Biden's immigration policies.