Lisa Johnston on Immigration

Immigration reform focused on employer enforcement

A: I believe that we need immigration reform. I feel that one of the most important first steps we can take is to address the supply of jobs because the hope of obtaining a higher paying job is the primary reason individuals enter our country illegally. I think we need stringent fines and pena for employers who are caught employing illegal individuals. This will make the practice too risky for them and will reduce the available supply of jobs. Regarding other issues, I think we need to clearly communicate the path to legal citizenship individuals who would like to attempt to become a citizen legally can do so. However, I have a concern about extending societal privileges and benefits to those that are not either citizens or in the legal naturalization pipeline.