DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Republican U.S. Rep. Steve King of Iowa is drawing criticism for comments he made to a news website about people in the country illegally. King last week told the conservative news website Newsmax that he didn’t agree with the suggestion that many youths who aren’t legal citizens are also high-achieving.

King told the website, “For every one who’s a valedictorian, there’s another 100 out there that weigh 130 pounds and they’ve got calves the size of cantaloupes because they’re hauling 75 pounds of marijuana across the desert.” The comments come as the U.S. House is considering proposals to change the nation’s immigration laws.

Florida Democratic Rep. Joe Garcia called King’s comments offensive,” saying they’re “beneath the dignity of this body and this country.”