Issue Position: Immigration

Issue Position

Our immigration system is badly broken. For six years, the Republican Party controlled the White House, the Supreme Court, the Senate, and the House of Representatives--but all we got on immigration was a lot of talk and no action. It is time we moved passed empty rhetoric and pursued practical solutions. I will work to make sure that immigrants who are striving for citizenship through the legal channels have fair procedures, by cutting unnecessary red tape thereby encouraging legal immigration.

Securing the Border

Bill believes that serious immigration reform must begin with securing our border. That is why he will fight for increased border patrol, better border technology, and the creation of additional holding facilities so that we can put an end to our current "catch and immediately release" policy.

Engaging Mexico

Bill believes that we must engage Mexico to be a part of the solution on immigration. If Mexico is going to have a constructive relationship with the United States, the Mexican government needs to show that it is serious about strengthening its economy, creating more jobs domestically, and controlling the flow of people across the U.S.-Mexico border.

Enforcing the Law

Today we send a mixed message to those who come across the border. On the one hand, we say that it is illegal to come here. On the other, those who make it can have a job, buy a home, and send money back to their families. Clearly, our actions have spoken louder than our words. To fix this problem, Bill believes we must enforce the law by cracking down on employers who hire illegal immigrants as well as those who help falsify identification documents for illegal immigrants.

Setting Conditions

It is estimated that there are 12 million undocumented workers residing in the U.S. Bill believes we need a practical approach to addressing their presence. Undocumented workers should be required to pass a criminal background check, prove that they are financially independent, pay a fine for entering the country illegally, and apply for legal status. Those who cannot will be sent home. Basically the Federal Government should enforce the current Immigrations and naturalization Laws or authorize and fund state and local law enforcement to enforce these laws.

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