Immigration

We are a nation of immigrants. My grandparents immigrated to this country for the hope and opportunity they wanted for their children, and I deeply believe in legal immigration.

But I also believe that securing our borders is a fundamental responsibility of our federal government and I believe in the strict enforcement of current federal laws to stop illegal immigration.

Maintaining the free flow of commerce across our borders and protecting our nation from potential terrorists can be accomplished at the same time. We have many tools at our disposal, including advanced technologies to track movement along the border, as well as increased numbers of border patrol agents.

Border security is not only a matter of national defense, but also a matter of economic defense.  Quite simply, it is both a public safety issue and a jobs issue.

We must penalize businesses that knowingly hire illegal immigrants. Existing technologies can determine whether a candidate for a job in an American business is in our country legally. When a business hires illegal immigrants, it gains an unfair competitive advantage over a business that complies with the law.

We must also modernize and reform the system so legal immigration can take place efficiently. It is wrong that thousands of people trying to become American citizens have to wait seven to ten years to become citizens.

I will fight to enforce current immigration laws and support efforts to secure our borders and seaports. I will seek changes in Department of Homeland Security policies so that we can reward people who follow our laws and enter our workforce legally.