Immigration
America is graced by neighbors from diverse cultures and religions. We are recent immigrants, descendants of immigrants, even descendants of the earliest cultures on this continent.
However, by some accounts, 7 – 11 million of our neighbors are not in our country legally. Illegal immigration is stressing those systems which have helped newcomers in the past: our schools, hospitals and social services. Our porous borders also allow for the flow and transport of illegal substances, contraband, drugs, and human trafficking. The insecurity of our borders encourages an underground economy and the flaunting of the rule of law.
We must secure our borders and re-evaluate and revise a rational and fair immigration policy: Fair to those who have played by the rules and fair to the taxpayer. And rational with regards to the demand for labor and the high costs of repatriation. For example, the DREAM Act, which my opponent unreservedly supports, should only be enacted as part of a comprehensive immigration reform and border enforcement effort. Also, instead of conditional residence, beneficiaries (that is the children of illegal immigrants without legal status themselves) should get temporary student VISAS and Work VISAs upon completion instead of permanent residency.
We need to enforce immigration laws in the workplace and enact VISA reforms. We do not need to impose new and greater burdens on employers and on legal workers to get governmental approval before starting a job. The opposition has proposed such a program (SAVE) and it would punish legitimate labor pools and strangle employment opportunities.
It is common sense to increase legal immigration levels bringing labor and production out of the shadow economy. It is also common sense for Congress to provide employers and employees a temporary worker status which will sustain safe and efficient workplaces. It is common sense to aid assimilation : a common language, English, will facilitate greater participation in the civic and cultural benefits of these United States.
Finally, it is common sense to know who is in our country. Visas must be enforced; and photo voter and photo driver’s licenses with immigration status should be encouraged at the state level.