State of South Dakota Archives: on Immigration

Gordon Howie: No pathway to citizenship until border is secure

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens"?

A: Oppose - Prior to securing the border, pathway to citizenship is irresponsible

Source: E-mail interview: 2014 S.D. Senate race with OnTheIssues.org Sep 18, 2014

Jay Williams: Welcome Syrian refugees fleeing religious intolerance

Many Americans came to this country fleeing religious persecution and intolerance, and that led to a diversity of ideas and people--one of the United State's greatest strengths. Today, Syrian refugees are fleeing religious intolerance, and the terrorists driving them out of their home country want us to turn them away. But in the land of the free and the home of the brave, we must overcome our fears, and welcome our neighbors in need of help. The Republican party of 1956 had a platform that included a plank to provide asylum for refugees. While the Republican party has changed during that time, the values of the United States have not. Jay agrees with the Republican party of 60 years ago--we must welcome refugees. Source: 2016 S.D. Senate campaign website on Syrian Refugees Apr 1, 2016

Scyller Borglum: Strong borders and safe, legal procedures

Meth related crimes have increased by 625% in the last 15 years
95% of meth comes from the southern border
South Dakota ranks 11th for human trafficking
South Dakotan Native American women and children are at higher risks for human trafficking
We need immigrants from all countries. But we still need to have common sense policy in place to ensure legal processes. It doesn't make sense not to.

Source: 2020 S.D. Senate campaign website BorglumForSenate.rocks Jun 7, 2020

Larry Rhoden: Imperative that migrant farm workers are here legally

However, Rhoden said something that concerns him is how business owners who employ undocumented immigrants have been treated in the past. "What's troubled me more than anything else is when the business owners have been attacked unfairly about having illegal migrant workers here. You know, they were given false information from that worker," Rhoden said. "I think it's imperative that we do take the steps to be sure the people that we're hiring, bringing to the United States are here legally." Source: S.D. Public (PBS News) on 2026 South Dakota Governor race Jul 15, 2025

The above quotations are from State of South Dakota Politicians: Archives. Click here for definitions & background information on Immigration. Click here for other issues (main summary page).
*2024 Presidential contenders on Immigration:*
	*Candidates for President & Vice-President:* V.P.Kamala Harris (D-CA) Robert F. Kennedy Jr.(I-CA) Chase Oliver(L-GA) Dr.Jill Stein(D-MA) Former Pres.Donald Trump(R-FL) Sen.J.D.Vance(R-OH) Gov.Tim Walz(D-MN) Dr.Cornel West(I-NJ)	*2024 presidential primary contenders:* Pres.Joe_Biden(D-DE) N.D.Gov.Doug Burgum(R) N.J.Gov.Chris_Christie(R) Fla.Gov.Ron_DeSantis(R) S.C.Gov.Nikki_Haley(R) Ark.Gov.Asa_Hutchinson(R) Former V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN) U.S.Rep.Dean_Phillips(D-MN) Vivek_Ramaswamy(R-OH) S.C.Sen.Tim_Scott(R)
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Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026