End the visa lottery, and move
Click for Donald Trump on other issues.
Source: 2018 State of the Union address
Mike Pence on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Nov 1, 2016)
No subsidized healthcare nor tuition for illegal immigrants
Q: Should illegal immigrants have access to government-subsidized healthcare?Mike Pence's answer: No
Tim Kaine's answer: Yes
Evan McMullin's answer: No
Q: Should illegal immigrants be offered in-state
tuition rates at public colleges within their residing state?
Mike Pence's answer: No
Tim Kaine's answer: Yes
Evan McMullin's answer: No
Click for Mike Pence on other issues.
Source: iSideWith.com analysis of 2016 presidential hopefuls
Mike Pence on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Oct 4, 2016)
End sanctuary cities; those policies drive wages down
Q: What would you tell the millions of undocumented immigrants who have not committed violent crimes?A: Trump has laid out a plan to end illegal immigration once and for all in this country. We've been talking it to death for 20 years. Hillary
Clinton and Tim Kaine want to continue the policies of open borders, amnesty, catch and release, sanctuary cities--all the things that are are driving wages down in this country, and also too often with criminal aliens in the country, it's bringing
heartbreak. But Trump has a plan that he laid out in Arizona, that will deal systemically with illegal immigration, beginning with border security, internal enforcement. Trump has laid out a priority to remove criminal aliens, remove people that have
overstayed their visas. Once we have accomplished all of that, which will strengthen our economy, strengthen the rule of law in the country and make our communities safer once the criminal aliens are out, then we'll deal with those that remain.
Click for Mike Pence on other issues.
Source: 2016 Vice-Presidential Debate at Longwood University
Donald Trump on Illegal Immigrants:
(Crime Sep 26, 2016)
Stop-and-frisk worked very well in NYC
Q: What should be done about crime?TRUMP: Stop and frisk worked very well in New York. It brought the crime rate way down. You take the gun away from criminals that shouldn't be having it. We have gangs roaming the street. And in many cases, they're
illegal immigrants. And they have guns. And they shoot people. And we have to be very vigilant. Right now, our police, in many cases, are afraid to do anything. We have to protect our inner cities, because African-American communities are being
decimated by crime.
Q: Stop-and-frisk was ruled unconstitutional in New York, because it largely singled out black and Hispanic young men.
TRUMP: No, you're wrong. Our new mayor refused to go forward with the case. They would have won on appeal.
There are many places where it's allowed.
Q: The argument is that it's a form of racial profiling.
TRUMP: No, the argument is that we have to take the guns away from bad people that shouldn't have them. You have to have stop-and-frisk.
Click for Donald Trump on other issues.
Source: First 2016 Presidential Debate at Hofstra University
Pope Francis on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Feb 19, 2016)
It's not Christian to build a wall on US-Mexican border
Pope Francis declared that Donald Trump is "not Christian" if he wants to address illegal immigration only by building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Trump fired back ferociously, saying it was "disgraceful" for a religious leader to question a
person's faith.The rare back-and-forth between pontiff and presidential candidate underscored the popular pope's willingness to needle U.S. politicians on hot-button issues. Francis' comments came hours after he concluded a visit to Mexico, where he
prayed at the border for people who died trying to reach the U.S. He was asked what he thought of Trump's campaign pledge to build a wall along the entire length of the border. "A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not
building bridges, is not Christian," he said. While Francis said he would "give the benefit of the doubt" because he had not heard Trump's border plans independently, he added, "I say only that this man is not a Christian if he has said things like that.
Click for Pope Francis on other issues.
Source: Japan Today on Foreign Influence, by N. Winfield and J. Pace
Ted Cruz on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Feb 13, 2016)
I led the fight to defeat the Reid-Schumer amnesty bill
Sen. Marco RUBIO: Amnesty is the forgiveness of a wrongdoing without consequence and I've never supported that. There has to be consequences for violating immigration laws.CRUZ: When Harry Reid and Chuck Schumer were leading the fight to pass a
massive amnesty plan, I led the fight to defeat that plan. The question for anyone on illegal immigration is where were you in that fight?
RUBIO: When that issue was being debated, at a committee hearing, Cruz said, "I want immigration reform to pass.
I want people to be able to come out of the shadows." And he proposed an amendment that would legalize people here. Not only that, he proposed doubling the number of green cards. He proposed a 500 percent increase on guest workers.
Now he is a passionate opponent of all those things. He either wasn't telling the truth then or he isn't telling the truth now.
CRUZ: I have promised to rescind every single illegal executive action, including that one.
Click for Ted Cruz on other issues.
Source: 2016 CBS Republican primary debate in South Carolina
Donald Trump on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Jan 14, 2016)
We have no borders; and yes, I am angry
I'm very angry because our country is being run horribly and I will gladly accept the mantle of anger. Our military is a disaster. Our healthcare is a horror show. Obamacare, we're going to repeal it and replace it. We have no borders.
Our vets are being treated horribly. Illegal immigration is beyond belief. Our country is being run by incompetent people. And yes, I am angry. And I won't be angry when we fix it, but until we fix it, I'm very angry.
Click for Donald Trump on other issues.
Source: Fox Business Republican 2-tier debate
Nikki Haley on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Jan 12, 2016)
Protect our borders, our sovereignty, and our citizens
We must fix our broken immigration system. That means stopping illegal immigration. And it means welcoming properly vetted legal immigrants, regardless of their race or religion. Just like we have for centuries.
I have no doubt that if we act with proper focus, we can protect our borders, our sovereignty and our citizens, all while remaining true to America's noblest legacies.
Click for Nikki Haley on other issues.
Source: Republican Party response to 2016 State of the Union speech
Ted Cruz on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Dec 15, 2015)
FactCheck: Yes, Bill Clinton deported 12M illegal aliens
Ted Cruz, debating the possibility of deporting an estimated 11 million illegal immigrants, asked, "Do you know how many aliens Bill Clinton deported? 12 million. Do you know how many illegal aliens, George W. Bush deported? 10 million." Is that true?
We checked, and found that both of Cruz's figures are accurate. Looking at the Department of Homeland Security's "Yearbook of Immigration Statistics: 2013 Enforcement Actions", the figures in Table 39 are:
| Deportations | Administration
|---|
| 8,300,000 | Reagan (1981-1988) |
| 4,100,000 | Bush Sr. (1989-1992) |
| 4,100,000 | Clinton (1993-2000) |
| 10,300,000 | Bush Jr. (2001-2008) |
| 3,200,000 | Obama first term (2009-2012; on track for 6 million total) |
Those figures include both "removals and returns." Cruz's point is that 11 million deportations have been accomplished before.
Click for Ted Cruz on other issues.
Source: OnTheIssues FactCheck on 2015 CNN/Salem Republican debate
Ted Cruz on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Dec 15, 2015)
Build a wall instead of massive amnesty plan
Q [to Sen. Rubio]: You describe a very long path, but does that path end at citizenship?RUBIO: After ten years in probationary status, where all they have is a permit, I personally am open to allowing people to apply for a green card. That may not be
a majority position in my party, but that's down the road. You can't even begin that process until you prove to people--not just pass a law that says you're gonna bring illegal immigration under control--you're gonna have to do it and prove to people
that it's working.
CRUZ: There was a time for choosing, as Reagan put it. There was a battle over amnesty and some chose, like Senator Rubio, to stand with Barack Obama and Chuck Schumer and support a massive amnesty plan. Others chose to stand with
the American people and secure the border. And I tell you, if I'm elected president, we will secure the border. We will triple the border patrol. We will build a wall that works and I'll get Donald Trump to pay for it.
Click for Ted Cruz on other issues.
Source: 2015 CNN/Salem Republican two-tier debate
Donald Trump on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Nov 10, 2015)
We must stop illegal immigration; it hurts us economically
He of the executive order, because nobody wants to listen to him, including the Democrats, so he just goes around signing executive orders. We have to stop illegal immigration.
It's hurting us economically. It's hurting us from every standpoint. It's causing tremendous difficulty with respect to drugs and what that does to our inner cities.
Click for Donald Trump on other issues.
Source: Fox Business/WSJ Second Tier debate
Donald Trump on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Sep 16, 2015)
Illegal immigrants populate many criminal gangs
[First], I want to build a wall. Second of all, we have a lot of really bad dudes in this country from outside. They go, if I get elected. Gangs all over the place. We have a country of laws, they're going to go out, and they'll come back if they deserve
to come back. If they've had a bad record, if they've been arrested, if they've been in jail, they're never coming back. Right now, we don't have a country, we don't have a border, and we're going to do something about it.
Click for Donald Trump on other issues.
Source: 2015 Republican two-tiered primary debate on CNN
Donald Trump on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Aug 6, 2015)
We need wall on Mexican border, but ok to have a door in it
Q: You say that the Mexican government is sending criminals--rapists, drug dealers--across the border. TRUMP: If it weren't for me, you wouldn't even be talking about illegal immigration.
This was not a subject that was on anybody's mind until I brought it up at my announcement.
The fact is, since then, many killings, murders, crime, drugs are pouring across the border, our money going out and the drugs coming in. And I said we need to build a wall, and it has to be built quickly.
And I don't mind having a big beautiful door in that wall so that people can come into this country legally. But we need to build a wall, we need to keep illegals out.
Click for Donald Trump on other issues.
Source: Fox News/Facebook Top Ten First Tier debate transcript
Kirsten Gillibrand on Illegal Immigrants:
(Government Reform Jun 30, 2015)
First member of Congress to post official schedule daily
Gillibrand had built a reputation for bucking the standard way of doing things--she first won a seat in the House of Representatives by running as a Democrat who supported Second Amendment rights and opposed amnesty for illegal immigrants.
Once elected, she became the first member of Congress to publish her entire official schedule every day, so that her constituents knew exactly with whom she met, including lobbyists and lawyers.
She also made the point of publishing the earmark requests she had requested and received, as well as her own personal financial statement.
As a senator, she authored parts of the STOCK Act, which imposed limits on the scandalous but legal practice of insider trading by members of Congress. That didn't win her any new friends among her colleagues.
Click for Kirsten Gillibrand on other issues.
Source: A Time for Truth, by Ted Cruz, p. 54
Rand Paul on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Apr 7, 2015)
Protect AGAINST feds creating a national ID card
- Immigration: I do not support amnesty, but rather I support a legal immigration process. I recognize that the country has been enriched by those who seek the American Dream and the desire for a better life, however, millions of illegal immigrants
are crossing our border without our knowledge which threatens our national security.
- Foreign Policy & Defense: I believe that one of the primary functions of the Federal Government is national security.
I introduced legislation that would make
immigration reform conditional on Congress voting on whether the border is secure, and protection against the federal government establishing a national identification card system for citizens. My "Trust but Verify" amendment requires Congress to enforce
a border security blueprint rather than relying on bureaucracies, such as the Department of Homeland Security. The amendment also would provide new national security safeguards to track the student visas and those provided asylum and refugee status.
Click for Rand Paul on other issues.
Source: 2016 presidential campaign website, RandPaul.com, "Issues"
Seth Moulton on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Sep 1, 2014)
Block illegal immigration without hampering legal immigrants
The United States is a nation of immigrants, and our country thrives off the diverse backgrounds of its citizens. While the entry of undocumented immigrants presents a challenge to our nation's Border Patrol, it is critical that blocking illegal
immigration not come at the cost of hampering the healthy, legal immigrants who make continue to grow our economy, create jobs (immigrants are twice as likely to start new businesses), and make our country strong.Laws like Arizona's S.B. 1070 are
exactly the kind of laws we should not be pursuing at a federal level. Rather than marginalizing our immigrant population, we should be empowering them to contribute to our economy and civic life. At home, this means funding bilingual education
programs where demand far exceeds supply. It also means increasing the availability of immigrant visas for skilled labor, and streamlining the visa process for graduates of US colleges and universities, especially within engineering and technical fields.
Click for Seth Moulton on other issues.
Source: 2014 House campaign website, SethMoulton.com
Bill Weld on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Apr 1, 2013)
Current system is "de facto legalization" for 11 million
Our current patchwork immigration system has all the disadvantages of "de facto legalization" for illegal immigrants, but none of the advantages. Those 11 million undocumented workers manage to escape detection, so that's legalization of a sort.
It sure beats being deported. But they don't get the benefit of legalizing their status, which would mean squaring their accounts with the government and being able to emerge from the shadows and strive openly to succeed here.
Those 11 million people don't all need to become US citizens. They just need to start feeling that they can advance themselves without worrying that someone might notice and report them.A principal argument against a probationary legal status
(a status that has not yet ripened into a permanent right to stay) for millions of currently undocumented workers is that it creates "second-class citizens." But any type of status is better than the shadowy non-status they have now.
Click for Bill Weld on other issues.
Source: Editorial in Boston Globe, by William Weld and Susan Cohen
Rand Paul on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Mar 24, 2013)
Legal status, but not citizenship, for illegal immigrants
Q: On immigration, you call your plan for creating a legal status--not citizenship, but a legal status--for the 11 million folks who are already here. But you oppose the E-verify system which would make it easier for employers to check whether their
workers are legal or illegal. Why?PAUL: Well, that's not the main part of my plan. The main part of my plan is trust but verify, that says we have to have border security. The amendment that I will add to the bipartisan plan will ensure that there is
border security and that Congress gets to vote on that border security every year, in order for it to go forward. With regard to E-verify, it's not that I'm opposed to some sort of database check. For example, when you come into the country,
I think the country should do a background check on you to find out if you are a felon or if there's a problem. So I'm not against any kind of checking, I just would prefer the government to be the policeman and not the businessman.
Click for Rand Paul on other issues.
Source: Fox News Sunday 2013 interviews: 2016 presidential hopefuls
Rand Paul on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Mar 18, 2013)
We will find a place for illegal immigrants in America
Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky is endorsing a pathway to citizenship for the nation's 11 million illegal immigrants. In a speech, the potential 2016 presidential candidate declares, "If you wish to live and work in America, then we will find a
place for you."Paul's path to citizenship would come with conditions that could make it long and difficult for illegal immigrants. Chief among these, Congress would have to agree first that progress was being made on border security.
Paul's speech
is peppered with Spanish phrases from his youth in Texas, references to his immigrant grandparents and praise for Latino culture. He says his party must adopt a new face toward Hispanics and says conservatives must be part of it. "Immigration reform will
not occur until conservative Republicans, like myself, become part of the solution. I am here today to begin that conversation," Paul says. "Let's start that conversation by acknowledging we aren't going to deport" the millions already here, he says.
Click for Rand Paul on other issues.
Source: Associated Press in Los Angeles Times
Rand Paul on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Mar 18, 2013)
Replace de facto amnesty with bipartisan reform
Paul would aim to secure the border before illegal immigrants could begin taking steps toward citizenship, as a necessary first step to get support from conservatives. Congress would also have to agree annually for 5 years that border security was
progressing in order for the other reforms to keep moving forward. In year two of his plan, illegal immigrants would begin to be issued temporary work visas, and would have to wait in line behind those already in the system before moving forward toward
citizenship. A bipartisan panel would determine the number of visas per year. High-tech visas would be expanded and a special visa for entrepreneurs would be issued. Paul would not attempt to crack down on employers by expanding working verification
systems, something he says is tantamount to "forcing businesses to become policemen."
"My plan will not grant amnesty or move anyone to the front of the line," Paul says. "But what we have now is de facto amnesty."
Click for Rand Paul on other issues.
Source: Associated Press in Los Angeles Times
Donald Trump on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Mar 15, 2013)
Citizenship for illegal immigrants is a GOP suicide mission
Donald Trump said the Republican party will lose elections if it reforms the nation's entitlement programs and will hand
Democrats 11 million votes if Congress grants citizenship to illegal immigrants, likening the reform efforts to a "suicide mission."
"The fact is 11 million people will be voting Democratic. You can be out front. You can be the spearhead. You can do whatever you want to do, but every one of those 11 million people will be voting Democratic," he said. "It is just the way it
works.""You have to be very, very careful, because you could say that to a certain extent the odds aren't looking so great for Republicans, that you are on a suicide mission," he said. "You are just not going to get those votes."
Click for Donald Trump on other issues.
Source: 2013 Conservative Political Action Conf. in Washington Times
Barack Obama on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Mar 5, 2013)
Since 2008, deported a record number of illegal immigrants
Obama alienated many Hispanics by breaking his 2008 campaign promise to lead the charge for comprehensive immigration reform and, especially, by deporting a record number of illegal immigrants. But [in 2012] Obama reversed course, announcing his policy
to allow young people who were brought here illegally to remain. The policy was enormously popular, and it appeared to demonstrate presidential leadership, energize Hispanic voters, and paint Republicans into a corner from which they could not escape.
Click for Barack Obama on other issues.
Source: Immigration Wars, by Jeb Bush, p.202
Bill Nelson on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Oct 16, 2012)
Path to citizenship with fines & English proficiency
Mack said he opposes amnesty for illegal immigrants.
Nelson said he supports a path to citizenship for them that would include paying a fine, having a clean record and learning English.
Click for Bill Nelson on other issues.
Source: Sun-Sentinel coverage of 2012 Florida Senate debate
Elizabeth Warren on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Oct 2, 2012)
Strongly supports the DREAM Act
The two split on immigration. Brown said he supports an overhaul of the nation's immigration laws, but opposes the so-called DREAM Act, which would provide a path to legal status for many young illegal immigrants.
He called the proposal "back door amnesty." Warren said she strongly supports the Dream Act.
Click for Elizabeth Warren on other issues.
Source: Fox News on 2012 Mass. Senate debate
Ted Cruz on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Oct 2, 2012)
No path to citizenship for 1.65 million illegals in Texas
When discussing what to do about the 1.65 million illegal immigrants living in Texas, Cruz weaved into the Second Amendment, alleging his opponent didn't support gun rights. "What does this have to do with the question?"
Sadler asked before fiercely denying his opponent's allegation. Cruz again said he didn't support a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants living in America, while Sadler said the opposite, as expected.
Click for Ted Cruz on other issues.
Source: WFAA-TV Dallas-Fort Worth on 2012 Texas Senate debate
Barack Obama on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Sep 19, 2012)
Focus deportations on criminals and those without US roots
Q: You have been the President who has made the largest number of deportations in history--more than 1.5 million so far. Since you've granted deferred action [for students], would you consider doing something similar to other groups of non-criminal
illegal immigrants such as the parents of US-born children?A: We focus our enforcement on people who genuinely pose a threat to our communities, not to hardworking families who are minding their own business and oftentimes have members of their family
who are US citizens. We don't have the capacity to enforce across the board. So more than half of our enforcement now is directed at people with criminal records. Of the remaining half, about 2/3 are people who are
apprehended close to the border, so these are not people who have longstanding roots in our community. And what we've tried to do then is focus our attention on real threats, and make sure that families are not the targets.
Click for Barack Obama on other issues.
Source: Obama-Romney interviews by Univision Noticias (Spanish News)
Ron DeSantis on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Aug 2, 2012)
Get tough on illegal immigration
GOP Congressional candidate Ron DeSantis Thursday announced another in a line of national endorsements.He is being supported by Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who calls himself "America's toughest sheriff."
"I'm proud to endorse
Ron DeSantis for Congress because I know he will stand up for the rule of law and get tough on illegal immigration," said Arpaio, who is the sheriff of Maricopa County.
He has become well known for an outspoken stance against illegal immigration, and for making prisoners wear pink underware.
DeSantis, an attorney, is running for the 6th Congressional District, which includes
St. Johns, Flagler, Volusia and Putnam Counties. He already has national endorsements from Club for Growth and former U.N. ambassador John Bolton
Click for Ron DeSantis on other issues.
Source: Press release on 2012 House campaign website voteRon2012.com
Elizabeth Warren on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Jun 22, 2012)
Support the DREAM Act: Let kids stay
Warren jabbed at Brown while giving her ideas for solving the nation's immigration problems. "I believe in the Dream Act," Warren said. "When Scott Brown voted against it, he denied the dreams of young people who did nothing wrong and who are
trying to get an education or serve in the military. I thought that was wrong. I support the president's recent actions to help these kids."The Brown campaign called Warren "an extreme liberal on illegal immigration who supports amnesty
and even wants to reward illegal immigrants with low in-state tuition rates financed by taxpayers." A Brown spokeswoman added: "This is a key difference between Professor Warren and Senator Brown.
Senator Brown believes we are a nation of immigrants and we should welcome those who seek a better life in America, but we are also a nation of laws that have to be respected and observed."
Click for Elizabeth Warren on other issues.
Source: Boston Globe on 2012 Mass. Senate debate
Ted Cruz on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Jun 22, 2012)
Give police more power to ask about immigration status
Cruz accused Dewhurst of using his position as head of the Texas Senate to kill a bill last year that would have given police more power to ask anyone they detain about their citizenship status--a charge Dewhurst denied.Both agreed that the US has
failed to secure its border with Mexico, and said they oppose amnesty for illegal immigrants and the Obama administration's new directive allowing many young illegal immigrants brought to the US as children to be exempted from deportation.
Click for Ted Cruz on other issues.
Source: San Francisco Chronicle on 2012 Texas Senate debates
Nikki Haley on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Apr 3, 2012)
Audit businesses to see if using E-Verify
We already had a strong anti-illegal immigration bill when I became governor. All I wanted to do was enforce it. Our law required businesses to prove they weren't hiring illegal aliens by using, among other methods, a federal database called E-Verify.
The problem is, for E-Verify to work government has to know whether employers are actually using it. Obama's Department of Homeland Security told us we could no longer audit businesses to check if they were using E-Verify. The privacy of the people
being checked, they said, would be compromised if we asked for proof from businesses. Out of the more than 6,000 businesses they had checked, over 2,000 violations had been found. But no more. Now the federal government was saying that we couldn't use
the best and most efficient means we had to enforce our law.
My goal wasn't to overburden employers with rules and regulations. I just wanted to use the easiest and least costly way, to ensure we weren't employing illegals, and that was E-Verify.
Click for Nikki Haley on other issues.
Source: Can't Is Not an Option, by Gov. Nikki Haley, p.211-212
Nikki Haley on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Apr 3, 2012)
It's not a racial issue; it's about the rule of law
Pro-illegal immigration groups and, quite frankly, the Obama administration constantly want to make illegal immigration a racial issue. They say those who want to crack down on illegal immigration are being insensitive to minorities.
They say they're shocked to see me, a minority governor, doing such a thing. They could not be more wrong, about me and about illegal immigration.I am the proud daughter of legal immigrants--emphasis on the LEGAL.
My parents played by the rules and waited their turn. They are offended--as I am--by those who try to backdoor the system and come here illegally. When we allow this debate to be about race, we lose sight of the principle that is really at the heart
of it: the rule of law. We are a nation of immigrants, and we're proud of it. But we are first and foremost a nation of laws. If we give up being a nation of laws, we give up everything this country was founded on.
Click for Nikki Haley on other issues.
Source: Can't Is Not an Option, by Gov. Nikki Haley, p.213
Ted Cruz on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Mar 29, 2012)
Triple the size of the Border Patrol
Cruz on immigration: Wants to triple size of Border Patrol. Says Dewhurst supported in-state tuition for kids of illegal immigrants.Dewhurst:
I have always been against an amnesty program. "If they want to be a citizen, they ought to go home and reapply."
Dewhurst says he was against tuition for children of illegal immigrants.
Click for Ted Cruz on other issues.
Source: KVUE coverage of 2012 Texas Senate debate
John Hickenlooper on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Nov 9, 2011)
Not soft on immigration, but against Arizona immigration law
During the 2010 campaign, Hickenlooper vehemently denied his opponents' charge that he was soft on illegal immigration and pointed to the thousands of individuals Denver referred to the U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement under his mayorship. Hickenlooper opposed the controversial immigration law Arizona passed in 2010.
Click for John Hickenlooper on other issues.
Source: WhoRunsGov.com, profile on John Hickenlooper
Barack Obama on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Oct 11, 2011)
Arizona's S.B.1070 creates misguided patchwork system
Obama said that Arizona's SB1070 undermined "basic notions of fairness that we cherish as Americans," and he considered it too important to ignore. He decided to meet with Brewer in person at the White House.The president disagreed with the governor
so completely on illegal immigration that he even disputed her facts. The immigration crisis had not become worse, he believed; it had actually improved. The number of illegal immigrants had dropped from 12 million to 11 million in the last three years.
Obama had tripled the number of intelligence analysts on the border and committed 1,200 National Guard troops to the cause. Deportations had increased under his watch.
Brewer met with Obama in the Oval Office. Obama said that state immigration laws
such as SB1070 would create a "patchwork system" and undercut overarching federal regulations.
The Justice Department filed a lawsuit in district court, asking a judge to declare SB1070 "invalid" and insisting that it "be struck down."
Click for Barack Obama on other issues.
Source: Ten Letters, by Eli Saslow, p.151-153
Barack Obama on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Jan 25, 2011)
Stop expelling talented undocumented workers
I strongly believe that we should take on, once and for all, the issue of illegal immigration. And I am prepared to work with Republicans and Democrats to protect our borders, enforce our laws and address the millions of undocumented workers who are now
living in the shadows. And let's stop expelling talented, responsible young people who could be staffing our research labs or starting a new business, who could be further enriching this nation.
Click for Barack Obama on other issues.
Source: 2011 State of the Union speech
Kirsten Gillibrand on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Apr 13, 2010)
Opposed amnesty; opposed driver licenses; required English
As a congresswoman, Gillibrand had unfalteringly opposed immigration reform. But when numerous Hispanic groups suddenly threatened to run a primary against her, Gillibrand suddenly saw the merit in their polar-opposite positions and swiftly did a complet
reversal.According to the New York Times, Gillibrand had: "opposed any sort of amnesty for illegal immigrants, supported deputizing local law enforcement officers to enforce federal immigration laws, spoke out against allowing illegal immigrants to
have driver's licenses and sought to make English the official language of the US. She sided in favor of requiring adult occupants of affordable housing to provide proof of residency." In other words, she was the pro-immigration lobby's worst
nightmare.
But all of that change, too. Just days into her tenure, after meeting with Latino and Chinese political leaders, she suddenly dropped her opposition to paths to citizenship and her support for English as a second language.
Click for Kirsten Gillibrand on other issues.
Source: Take Back America, by Dick Morris, p.184-185
Hillary Clinton on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Jan 11, 2010)
2007: Focus on comprehensive reform, not driver's licenses
[At the Drexel U. debate on Oct. 30, 2007, Hillary was asked if] she supported the idea of giving driver's licenses to illegal immigrants, as NY's Gov. Eliot Spitzer had proposed.Clinton said she sympathized with Spitzer, then pivoted to stress the
need for comprehensive immigration reform. But when Dodd declared his opposition to the plan, Clinton jumped back in: "I did not say that it should be done, but I certainly recognize why Gov. Spitzer is trying to do it."
"Wait a minute!" interjected
Dodd. "You said yes, you thought it made sense to do it." The moderator asked Clinton to clarify her position: Did she support Spitzer's plan or not?
Clinton said, "What is the governor supposed to do? He is dealing with a serious problem.
We have failed and George Bush has failed. Do I think this is the right thing for any governor to do? No. But do I understand the sense of real desperation, trying to get a handle on this? He's making an honest effort to do it."
Click for Hillary Clinton on other issues.
Source: Game Change, by Heilemann & Halpern, p.147-148
Hillary Clinton on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Jan 11, 2010)
Allow driver's licenses for illegals until we get reform
The moderator asked Clinton to clarify her position: Did she support Gov. Eliot Spitzer's plan or not, of giving driver's licenses to illegal immigrants? Clinton said, "Do I think this is the right thing for any governor to do? No. But I certainly
recognize why Gov. Spitzer is trying to do it."Edwards wouldn't let go. "Unless I missed something, Sen. Clinton said two different things in the course of about two minutes," he noted, "and I think this is a real issue for the country."
"I was
confused on Senator Clinton's answer," Obama said with a smirk. "I can't tell whether she was for it or against it." Clinton exited the stage both bloodied and bowed.
The next day, Clinton's people made an even bigger mess. A statement was issued that
simply reformulated her muddled position from the night before. Then her press shop clarified the clarification, saying Clinton backed "the basic concept" of giving driver's licenses to illegals absent immigration reform.
Click for Hillary Clinton on other issues.
Source: Game Change, by Heilemann & Halpern, p.148
Hillary Clinton on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Aug 4, 2009)
NY licenses for illegals fills federal gap
The October 2007 debate turned to a plan by NY Governor Eliot Spitzer to make illegal immigrants eligible for driver's licenses. "What Gov. Spitzer is trying to do is fill the vacuum left by the failure of this administration to bring about comprehensive
immigration reform," Clinton said. "In NY we have several million at any one time who are in NY illegally. They are undocumented workers. They are driving on our roads. The possibility of them having an accident that harms themselves or others is just a
matter of the odds. It's probability. Gov. Spitzer is trying to fill the vacuum. We need to get back to comprehensive immigration reform because no state, no matter how well intentioned, can fill this gap. There needs to be federal action on immigration
reform."The moderator asked the others onstage whether anyone opposed the idea. Clinton reentered the conversation. "Well, I just want to add, I did not say that it should be done, but I certainly recognize why Gov. Spitzer is trying."
Click for Hillary Clinton on other issues.
Source: The Battle for America 2008, by Balz & Johnson, p. 97-99
Kirsten Gillibrand on Illegal Immigrants:
(Abortion Jan 23, 2009)
Financially supported by Emily's List
Her politics, perhaps reflecting her conservative district, cannot be easily charted along a left-right axis. She earned a high rating from the National Rifle Association and opposed efforts to extend state drivers' licenses to illegal immigrants.
At the same time, she favors abortion rights.She was an outspoken supporter of Mrs. Clinton's presidential campaign and has drawn financial support from prominent women's groups in Washington, not least Emily's List.
Click for Kirsten Gillibrand on other issues.
Source: Michael Powell and Raymond Hernandez, New York Times
Kirsten Gillibrand on Illegal Immigrants:
(Gun Control Jan 23, 2009)
Earned high rating from the National Rifle Association
Her politics, perhaps reflecting her conservative district, cannot be easily charted along a left-right axis. She earned a high rating from the National Rifle Association and opposed efforts to extend state drivers' licenses to illegal immigrants.
At the same time, she favors abortion rights.Gillibrand moved to bridge the political & cultural divide, shunning political labels and even embracing Second Amendment gun rights and other positions that placed her outside the mainstream of her party.
Click for Kirsten Gillibrand on other issues.
Source: Michael Powell and Raymond Hernandez, New York Times
Barack Obama on Illegal Immigrants:
(Principles & Values Aug 1, 2008)
Borrowed "Yes, we can" slogan from Cesar Chavez 1960s UFW
An example of Obama's borrowing is his use of the catchy "S¡, se puede," which translates into English as "Yes, we can." This slogan traces back to Cesar Chavez and his efforts to organize Hispanic farm workers in the United Farm Workers in the
1960s. "S¡, se puede" more recently became a slogan widely used by the pro-illegal immigration forces in the May Day rallies launched in major cities across the United States over the past few years.
Click for Barack Obama on other issues.
Source: Obama Nation, by Jerome Corsi, p.229-230
Barack Obama on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Jul 1, 2008)
Crack down on employers who hire illegal immigrants
Obama wants to remove incentives for illegals to enter the country by cracking down on employers who hire undocumented immigrants. Obama has championed a proposal to create a system so employers can verify that their employees are legally eligible to work
in the US.Obama believes the time to fix our broken immigration system is now. He is in favor of stronger enforcement at the border and at the workplace. He has properly identified the magnitude of the problem, and said that the undocumented population
is exploding. Obama recognizes that immigration raids are ineffective, netting only 3,600 arrests in 2006.
Obama's priority is to stop the current wave of illegal immigration into the United States, and then deal compassionately and fairly with the
illegal immigrants who re already living here. If the flood of new immigrants can be slowed considerably, Obama believes that those currently living here, over time, can be effectively absorbed into the population and the economy.
Click for Barack Obama on other issues.
Source: Obamanomics, by John R. Talbott, p.120-121
Mike Gravel on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Apr 22, 2008)
Support amnesty for illegal immigrants already working here
Gravel supports the following principles regarding immigration:- Support a temporary worker program.
- Support amnesty for illegal immigrants already working in the
United States.
- Illegal immigrants should be given a pathway to citizenship.
Click for Mike Gravel on other issues.
Source: Presidential Election 2008 Political Courage Test
Jesse Ventura on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Apr 1, 2008)
Great Wall of China failed; so will the Great Wall of the US
I went to China on a trade mission, and climbed the Great Wall of Beijing. Which had sparked my contemplating the "great wall" that the US is planning to build between us and Mexico, as a supposed answer to illegal immigration. By the end of '08, about
670 miles are supposed to be completed along our southwestern border. Why is it we don't see that if you don't learn from history you're destined to repeat it? The Great Wall of China did not work. The most formidable barrier ever built by mankind--
and it failed! In 1644, the Chinese were overrun and now the Great Wall is nothing but a tourist attraction. At least their Great Wall is an architectural wonder that people built by hand, all day long, many of them living and dying there.
So I hope they end up making our "great wall" tourist friendly. I tell Terry that, when it gets built, I'm gonna find where it's on public land and I'm gonna cross it into Mexico, in protest. I don't want my country to be East Berlin.
Click for Jesse Ventura on other issues.
Source: Don`t Start the Revolution, by Jesse Ventura, p. 88
Hillary Clinton on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Feb 11, 2008)
Don’t turn local police into immigration enforcers
Q: Here in Virginia, a local board tried to crack down on illegal immigration, by saying that the police should check on legal status when they pull someone over in the car. Is that a good idea?A:
I think it’s really sad that individual communities are trying to cope with our broken immigration system. It should not be the responsibility of a municipality or county. This has to be fixed at the federal level.
There are lots of strong arguments against turning local police officers into immigration enforcement officials. It has to do with making sure people will report crimes, making sure people will go to the police when there’s a problem. That’s a matter of
public safety. It doesn’t always only affect the immigrant community, it affects all of us. So I far prefer that we try to do what needs to be done on comprehensive immigration reform and I have spoken, you know, very forthrightly about what I would do.
Click for Hillary Clinton on other issues.
Source: 2008 Politico pre-Potomac Primary interview
Barack Obama on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Jan 31, 2008)
Support the DREAM Act for the children of illegal immigrants
Q: You said, “I stood up for a humane and intelligent immigration policy in a way that, frankly, none of my other opponents did.” What did you mean by that?A: What I meant was that, when this issue came up--not driver’s licenses, but comprehensive
immigration reform generally--I worked with Kennedy, Durbin, & McCain. It’s a hard political issue. This is not an issue that polls well. But it is the right thing to do. We have to show leadership on the issue. The problems that workers are experiencing
generally are not primarily caused by immigration. There is what I said was that we have to stand up for these issues when it’s tough, and that’s what I’ve done. I did it when I was in the state legislature, sponsoring the Illinois version of the DREAM
Act, so that children who were brought here through no fault of their own are able to go to college, because we actually want well-educated kids in our country who are able to succeed and become part of this economy and part of the American dream.
Click for Barack Obama on other issues.
Source: 2008 Democratic debate in Los Angeles before Super Tuesday
Hillary Clinton on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Jan 31, 2008)
Deporting all illegal immigrants is unrealistic
People are nervous about immigration, and for the reasons that the economy isn’t working for people. The average American family has lost $1,000 in income. They’re looking for some explanation as to why this is happening. I ask them, well, what would you
do? If you want to round up into four people, how many tens of thousands of federal law enforcement officials would that take?“ How much authority would they have to be given to knock on every door of every business and every home?
Click for Hillary Clinton on other issues.
Source: 2008 Democratic debate in Los Angeles before Super Tuesday
Hillary Clinton on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Jan 31, 2008)
Illegal immigrants with driver’s licenses puts them at risk
Q: Why not let the illegal immigrants get driver’s licenses?A: I do not think that it is either appropriate to give a driver’s license to someone who is here undocumented, putting them, frankly, at risk, because that is clear
evidence that they are not here legally, and I believe it is a diversion from what should be the focus at creating a political coalition with the courage to stand up and change the immigration system.
Click for Hillary Clinton on other issues.
Source: 2008 Democratic debate in Los Angeles before Super Tuesday
Barack Obama on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Jan 21, 2008)
Health plan: not enough resources for illegal immigrants
Q: Does your health care plan cover the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants?A: It does not. We’ve got limited resources. When we’ve got millions of citizens that aren’t yet covered, it’s important for us to make sure that they are provided coverag
We have an obligation to make sure that children are covered. The only way we’re going to be able to overcome the insurance companies, & the drug companies, & the HMOs who are profiting from the current system is if we are having all these negotiations
in a public setting, we are very clear about who’s carrying water for the drug companies and the insurance companies, and who is looking out for the families who are struggling. Those who have health care are looking at such high premiums that effectivel
it’s not really health insurance, it’s house insurance. They’re paying premiums, in case they get hit by a car, they don’t lose their home. But they never go to a doctor. We’ve got to have the American people clear about the choices that we face.
Click for Barack Obama on other issues.
Source: 2008 Congressional Black Caucus Democratic debate
Barack Obama on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Dec 4, 2007)
Don’t deputize Americans to turn in illegal immigrants
Q: Would you expect Americans to turn in illegal immigrants when they come across them?A: We do not deputize the American people to do the job that the federal government is supposed to do. So as president, I will make sure that the federal government
does what it’s supposed to do, which is to do a better job of closing our borders, have much tougher enforcement standards when it comes to employers, and create a pathway of citizenship for the 12 million people who are already here.
Click for Barack Obama on other issues.
Source: 2007 Democratic radio debate on NPR
Hillary Clinton on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Dec 1, 2007)
Crack down on employers who exploit undocumented workers
Q: Would you help dispel the negative perception of illegal immigrants & undocumented workers that more and more Americans are beginning to have? A: I deeply regret the way the Republicans are politicizing this issue. They are trying to outdo each
other in basically demeaning and attacking those who are here in our country--yes, without documentation--but who are often doing the work that allows raising their families and making a contribution. The answer is comprehensive immigration reform.
We have to keep working towards it. Yes, we’ve got to have tougher border security. We do have to crack down on employers who exploit and employee undocumented people. We’ve got to do more to help local communities bear the costs of it.
Because they don’t set immigration laws. We’ve got to do more with our neighbors to the south to help them create more economic opportunity for their own people but at the end of the day there has to be an earned path to legalization.
Click for Hillary Clinton on other issues.
Source: 2007 Iowa Brown & Black Presidential Forum
Barack Obama on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Nov 15, 2007)
Support granting driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants
Q: In the absence of comprehensive immigration reform, do you support driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants? A: Yes.
I am going to be fighting for comprehensive immigration reform, and we shouldn’t pose the question that, somehow, we can’t achieve that. The American people desperately want it; that’s what I’m going to be fighting for as president.
Click for Barack Obama on other issues.
Source: 2007 Democratic debate in Las Vegas, Nevada
Hillary Clinton on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Nov 15, 2007)
Oppose granting driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants
Q: In the absence of comprehensive immigration reform, do you support driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants?
A: No.
Click for Hillary Clinton on other issues.
Source: 2007 Democratic debate in Las Vegas, Nevada
Joe Biden on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Nov 15, 2007)
Oppose granting driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants
Q: In the absence of comprehensive immigration reform, do you support driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants?
A: No.
Click for Joe Biden on other issues.
Source: 2007 Democratic debate in Las Vegas, Nevada
Barack Obama on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Oct 30, 2007)
Illegal immigrants’ lack of ID is a public safety concern
There is a public safety concern [with denying driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants].
We can make sure that drivers who are illegal come out of the shadows, that they can be tracked, that they are properly trained, and that will make our roads safer. That doesn’t negate the need for us to reform illegal immigration.
Click for Barack Obama on other issues.
Source: 2007 Democratic debate at Drexel University
Hillary Clinton on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Oct 30, 2007)
FactCheck: Denied saying licensing illegals “made sense”
Hillary bobbed and weaved on whether illegal immigrants should be granted driver’s licenses, avoiding a yes-or-no answer but denying her own words in the process. When asked about New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s proposal to grant state driver’s licenses to
immigrants who are in the US without legal permission, this exchange occurred: CLINTON: I did not say that it should be done, but I certainly recognize why Governor Spitzer is trying to do it.DODD: Wait a minute. You said yes, you thought
it made sense to do it.
CLINTON: No, I didn’t. But the point is, what are we going to do with all these illegal immigrants who are driving?
Actually, we checked the video, and Clinton did tell the Nashua Telegraph on Oct. 17 that
Spitzer’s plan “makes a lot of sense,” despite her denial to Dodd. During the debate, Clinton repeatedly said immigration should be dealt with nationally, not on a state-by-state basis. But after a long exchange she still hadn’t answered the question.
Click for Hillary Clinton on other issues.
Source: FactCheck on 2007 Democratic debate at Drexel University
Hillary Clinton on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Jun 5, 2007)
Opposes illegal immigration, but doesn’t vote to follow up
Talking with a radio host in Nov. 2004, Hillary said, “I am adamantly against illegal immigrants.” That alone was a show stopper but she went on: “People have got to stop employing illegal immigrants. [in NY] you see loads of people waiting to get picked
up to go do yard work & construction work & domestic work.” A prominent Democrat had figured it out! (The NY Times later quoted it as “against illegal immigration.”) After she smacked employers of illegal aliens, she went right for the throat of the
2nd culprit, the federal government:
“We ought to come up with a much better entry & exit system so that if we’re going to let people in for the work that otherwise would not be done, let’s have a system that keeps track of them.”
Even my brother Pat Buchanan commented that Hillary’s “forthrightness makes Bush sound like a talking head for La Raza.” But Hillary had no follow-up to this unusual foray into the enemy camp, and her liberal voting pattern remained unaltered.
Click for Hillary Clinton on other issues.
Source: The Extreme Makeover, by Bay Buchanan, p.113-117
Joe Biden on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Jun 3, 2007)
It’s impractical to deport 14 million illegal immigrants
There doesn’t need to be a 700-mile fence, 14 million illegals -- now you tell me how many buses, car loads, planes that are going to go out, round up all these people, spend hundreds of millions of billions of dollars for the whole world watching,
while we send these folks back. Rather than get a background check on all of them, take out the criminals, get them back, and provide for a means by which we allow earned citizenship over the next decade or so.
Click for Joe Biden on other issues.
Source: 2007 Dem. debate at Saint Anselm College
Mike Bloomberg on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration May 2, 2007)
Normalize status of otherwise law-abiding illegal immigrants
Bloomberg is a supporter of immigration reform to secure the rights of illegal immigrants. He argues that deportation breaks up families and scares illegal immigrants away from cooperating with law enforcement or accessing vital social services;
as such, he supports proposals like those put forth by Senators Ted Kennedy and John McCain, which would normalize the status of otherwise law-abiding illegal immigrants already present.
Click for Mike Bloomberg on other issues.
Source: Wikipedia.org entry, “Michael_Bloomberg”
Amy Klobuchar on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Oct 30, 2006)
No amnesty for companies hiring illegal immigrants
Q: What should we do on our southern border?KLOBUCHAR: I believe we need to have order. We need to have adequate border controls, the fence, and no amnesty for companies hiring illegal immigrants; as well as earned citizenship for people who have been
here, have paid their taxes, that are willing to learn English and become part of our community.
KENNEDY: Ms. Klobuchar came out first for a bill that had nothing in there for a fence. I [didn’t agree with that bill] that we should give a veto right to
Mexico to control our border.
KLOBUCHAR: For 6 years, this Congressman and this Congress had the ability to do something about immigration. We need comprehensive immigration reform. It hasn’t happened. The Fargo Forum debunked his claims on my stands
on immigration, and said they were distorted and not true.
FITZGERALD: I do not support a fence on our southern border. You show me a 50-foot fence, I’ll show you someone with a 51-foot ladder.
Click for Amy Klobuchar on other issues.
Source: Minnesota 2006 3-way Senate Debate, sponsored by LWV
Amy Klobuchar on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Oct 15, 2006)
Opposes Social Security for illegal immigrants
Q: You oppose Social Security for illegal immigrants?KLOBUCHAR: Yes, I do.
KENNEDY: If you look at the record, she said she would support the Senate immigration bill, that would give benefits to
12 million people that didn’t have benefits. $5 billion cost to Social Security. If you included Medicare and Medicaid, that’d be $50 billion.
Click for Amy Klobuchar on other issues.
Source: 2006 MN Senate debate, on Meet the Press
Deval Patrick on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Sep 25, 2006)
In-state tuition ok for illegals; focus on employers
Q: Would you allow illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition rates at public colleges?PATRICK: [Yes, but] this is one issue where I think both sides have a point. The folks on the other side of the question from where I am say we should only reward
people who play by the rules and they’re right. I understand that immigration is a serious problem. But people are not coming here for in-state tuition, they’re coming here for jobs. We need to come down hard on employers.
Click for Deval Patrick on other issues.
Source: 2006 MA Gubernatorial debate on Fox News with Chris Wallace
Howie Hawkins on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Aug 1, 2006)
Supports path to citizenship
Q: What does Hawkins think of illegal immigrants earning citizenship?A: Supports promoting path to temporary, permanent and citizenship status.
Click for Howie Hawkins on other issues.
Source: Email interview on 2006 Senate race with OnTheIssues.org
Mike Gravel on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Jun 27, 2006)
Illegal immigrants come here for jobs; don’t deport them
Another major issue was Immigration. “If we were to deport every illegal immigrant in this country,” Gravel spoke, “it would be the worst thing in this country since the trail of tears...it would be ‘Trail of Tears II.”
The Senator said we need to help Mexico...“they’re coming here, because they know they can find jobs.”
Click for Mike Gravel on other issues.
Source: Blue State Observer, “Scones with the Senator”
Deval Patrick on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Nov 2, 2005)
Supports in-state tuition rates for illegal immigrants
A war of words has erupted between Attorney General Tom Reilly and Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey after Reilly went to bat for a bill giving state college tuition breaks to illegal immigrants. The pair clashed in a heated impromptu debate yesterday on WRKO-680 AM
radio. “Illegal immigrants should not be here,” Healey told the Herald. “When they’re legal, we will welcome them with all the benefits afforded to Massachusetts citizens.”“She’s totally out of touch,” Reilly said of Healey. “These are kids that just
want a chance.“
Healey fired back, saying: ”Tom Reilly is the one who is out of touch with working families of Massachusetts if he thinks they want their tax dollars to pay for illegal immigrants to go to college.“
Deval Patrick also supports the
bill. ”Denying kids who qualify in every other way to be an in-state student is unfair,“ Patrick said. ”We shouldn’t be trying to erect barriers.“ Nine other states have laws that allow illegal immigrants to attend state colleges at resident rates.
Click for Deval Patrick on other issues.
Source: Dave Wedge in Boston Herald, “Tuition Breaks”
Hillary Clinton on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Sep 30, 2005)
Adamantly against illegal immigrants
Clearly states her opposition to illegal immigration: “I am adamantly against illegal immigrants... Clearly, we have to make some tough decisions as a country, and one of them
ought to be coming up with a much better entry-and-exit system so that if we’re going to let people in for the work that otherwise would not be done, let’s have a system that keeps track of them.”
Click for Hillary Clinton on other issues.
Source: What Every American Should Know, by the ACU, p. 81
Ken Salazar on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Oct 30, 2004)
Give benefits to children of longtime illegal immigrants
Each man called for a guest worker program as one way to deal with the problem of illegal immigration. Coors, however, said that he opposes giving in-state tuition to children of longtime illegal immigrants, something Salazar supports.
Click for Ken Salazar on other issues.
Source: [Xref Coors] Colorado Senate Debate in Rocky Mountain News
Ken Salazar on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Jul 12, 2004)
Decrease illegal immigration; stronger border enforcement
I support stronger border enforcement and efforts that would crack downon illegal human trafficking.
Click for Ken Salazar on other issues.
Source: Rocky Mountain News
Donald Trump on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Jul 2, 2000)
Control borders; even legal immigration should be difficult
America is experiencing serious social and economic difficulty with illegal immigrants who are flooding across our borders. We simply can’t absorb them. It is a scandal when America cannot control its own borders. A liberal policy of immigration may seem
to reflect confidence and generosity. But our current laxness toward illegal immigration shows a recklessness and disregard for those who live here legally. The majority of legal immigrants can often make significant contributions to our society
because they have special skills and because they add to our nation’s cultural diversity. They come with the best of intentions. But legal immigrants do not and should not enter easily. It’s a long, costly, draining, and often frustrating
experience-by design. I say to legal immigrants: Welcome and good luck.
It comes down to this: we must take care of our own people first. Our policy to people born elsewhere should be clear: Enter by the law, or leave.
Click for Donald Trump on other issues.
Source: The America We Deserve, by Donald Trump, p.143-45
Jesse Ventura on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Nov 1, 1998)
Emergency medical, but no other services, for illegal imms.
Illegal immigration is just that, illegal. We owe those individuals who are illegally in the US emergency medical treatment when it is needed, but no education benefits, financial assistance or other benefits that all legal immigrants and US citizens
are entitled to. American citizens pay for their benefits through taxes illegal immigrants do not. If we provide free services to illegal immigrants, our actions encourage and support illegal activity, rather than discourage or punish it.
Click for Jesse Ventura on other issues.
Source: 1998 campaign web site, jesseVentura.org/98campaign
John Kasich on Illegal Immigrants:
(Immigration Nov 1, 1996)
Limit the number of legal immigrants, and their benefits
Kasich indicates support of the following principles relating to immigration.- Further limit the number of immigrants allowed into the country.
- Establish English as the official and recognized language of the United States.
-
Restrict the eligibility of legal immigrants for certain social programs (i.e. AFDC, HUD housing, food stamps, etc.).
- Children of illegal immigrants, born in the United States, should not automatically receive US citizenship.
Click for John Kasich on other issues.
Source: Congressional 1996 National Political Awareness Test
Page last updated: Mar 01, 2022
