Immigration

We are a country of immigrants. Our ancestors came to this country, some willing and some not willing, and brought with them a rich diversity of cultures and customs. Diversity has been a part of our country since early explorers displaced Native Americans and settled in the land. This diversity has strengthened America and has helped prepare Americans to face the growing globalization of the world.

Recently, the country has been facing a dilemma concerning how to control illegal immigration which has been increasing at a high rate. People of other countries are drawn to America because of economic opportunities and the hope of a better life. Many of our businesses, such as construction, restaurants, and crafts, need workers and craftsmen to conduct their businesses. Our farmers need laborers to help harvest crops that might otherwise rot. However, many feel that the infrastructure and social services of our country are stretched too thin and cannot accommodate the increased needs of a growing number of illegal immigrants.

I believe we need to look at this issue with compassion for those who come here to work to support themselves and their families and yet, keep in mind that the country does not have unlimited resources. We need to bring immigrants out of the dark shadows, identify them, and work with them to provide opportunities that are beneficial to both the individuals and to our businesses and agricultural interests that rely on their labor.

I support:

  • increased enforcement of our borders so that people who seek to come into the country are identified and subject to procedures to identify where they are from, where they are going, and why they are here;

  • a guest worker program that will allow immigrants to come to the United States to work for a limited period of time in defined jobs;

  • a pathway to citizenship for those who are already here;

  • thorough background checks on both those who are coming to work temporarily and those who are seeking citizenship;

  • individual consideration of cases such as the situation of a wife of a soldier in Iraq who is an illegal immigrant, women who are brought to the country illegally to be used in the sex industry, and separation of families;

  • increased enforcement of penalties against employers who employ illegal immigrants without doing adequate background checks.

  • development of user-friendly systems for employers and governmental agencies to use to examine the backgrounds of those who seek employment.

This is a complicated problem with many economic and social ramifications. I urge our national leaders to craft some national policies and solutions and allocate resources to address the concerns of employers and those in the country illegally.