Rep. Jasmine Crockett argued that illegal immigrants play a vital role in the US economy by performing jobs that college-educated citizens avoid. Speaking at the SXSW festival on March 8, she addressed the audience with a series of rhetorical questions.

“How many of you are sending your kids to college to go and work on the farms?” she asked. When the crowd remained silent, she continued, “Okay, so, guess who is working the farms so that you can afford your food? So that you can have food.”

Crockett further pressed the point by questioning how many parents would send their children to college to clean hotel rooms or work in construction. She stressed that the capitalist system requires a labor force willing to take on these roles, which are often filled by illegal immigrants.

“These are the people who are really making us great in this country. They pay into taxes. And guess what? They’re not able to pull down on Social Security. So to have people going out disparaging them and targeting them, that is not what makes us great,” Crockett stated.

Her comments gained traction on social media after journalist Errin Haines shared a clip from the event. The video quickly went viral, garnering over one million views in four hours.

Crockett’s remarks echoed sentiments previously expressed by Rep. Jerry Nadler, who argued that the US needed “many illegal immigrants” to prevent crops from rotting in the fields.

As the debate on immigration intensifies under the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration, Crockett’s comments have sparked both support and criticism. Advocates praised her for acknowledging the contributions of migrant workers, while critics accused her of condoning illegal immigration.

With the immigration issue remaining a focal point in American politics, Crockett’s statements have reignited discussions on labor shortages and the role of undocumented workers in sustaining the economy.