Issue Position: Immigration - Pathway to Citizenship

Issue Position

I am opposed to complete amnesty for the estimated 10 million undocumented workers currently in the United States. Amnesty, as I understand it, is a general pardon granted by the government with no strings attached. It would be unfair to place those who illegally entered the country ahead of those who have been patiently waiting, perhaps separated from their loved ones, for a legal visa to become available. I support legislation to provide a path that requires people to go through the legal process of attaining a visa, applying for legal permanent residency, paying a penalty for their illegal entry, and then possibly becoming a citizen in the future.

Illegal immigration is rightfully a concern for many Americans, and I believe that comprehensive immigration reform is needed. These comprehensive measures--securing our borders, enforcing our laws, providing a legal path for undocumented immigrants already here to regularize their status, and holding employers accountable for hiring undocumented immigrants--provide a rational framework to address this challenge and enhance our national security.

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