http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070424/ap_on_el_pr/immigration_where_they_stand_1
The stands of these 2008 Republican
presidential candidates on immigration.
___
Sen. Sam Brownback (news,
bio,
voting record) of Kansas
Where
he stands:
Voted for 2006 bill offering legal status to
illegal immigrants subject to conditions, including
English proficiency and payment of back taxes and
fines. Voted for border fence.
What he's said: "I think you need the
comprehensive reform, and you need enforcement, and
you need to make the system simpler and allow more
people in legally, to get people into a legal
instead of an illegal system." — Interview with The
Associated Press, April 12.
___
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani
Where
he stands:
Open to conferring legal status if proficiency in
English is among conditions.
What he's said:
"They would have to have tamper-resistant cards.
They would have to be identified. We'd have to be
sure they are people who have a lawful background.
"Then we'd be able to collect taxes from them, so
they wouldn't be using our services without paying
for them. And then that database could be used for,
ultimately, if you want to deal with the people that
are already here.
"But they should never be put ahead of the people
who are here already. Anybody that gets in to a
database like that should have to be at the end of
the line rather than at the front of the line. They
should have to pay penalties." — FlashReport
political news Web site, March 26.
___
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee
Where
he stands:
Favors allowing illegal aliens in the country to
apply for legal status if they pay penalties, get
guest worker permits, register with authorities and
aren't allowed to jump in line ahead of other
applicants. As governor, opposed banning state
services for illegal immigrants.
What he's said:
"There must be consequences for illegal actions
for violation of our rule of law. I propose that
such individuals should be required to register with
state and federal authorities, receive guest worker
permits, pay financial penalties and be given the
choice of deportation or undertaking the process of
lawful citizenship that does not allow them to cut
in front of the line." — Statement issued by
campaign April 10.
___
Rep. Duncan Hunter (news,
bio,
voting record) of California
Where
he stands:
Favors deporting the millions of illegal aliens.
A sponsor of legislation authorizing construction of
Mexico border fence.
What he's said:
"When you discover an effective deterrent to
crime, you use it. I know fencing helps secure our
nation's borders because criminal activity in every
statistical category has been eliminated or
decreased since we built the border fence in San
Diego County." — Statement on campaign Web site.
___
Sen. John McCain (news,
bio,
voting record) of Arizona
Where
he stands:
Sponsored 2006 bill allowing illegal immigrants
to stay in the U.S., work and apply to become legal
residents after learning English, paying fines and
back taxes and clearing a background check.
What he's said:
"While strengthening border security is an
essential component of national security, it must
also be accompanied by immigration reforms. We have
seen time and again that as long as there are jobs
available in this country for people who live in
poverty and hopelessness in other countries, those
people will risk their lives to cross our borders —
no matter how formidable the barriers — and most
will be successful." — Press release issued March
30, 2006.
___
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney
Where
he stands:
Says he opposes McCain's immigration bill,
although he called it reasonable in 2005. Supports
building a border fence with Mexico and stationing
National Guard troops there. Favors penalties for
employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants.
As governor, reached an agreement with Washington
allowing state troopers to enforce federal
immigration law, including arresting illegal
immigrants and seeking their deportation.
What he's said:
"Another aspect of American sovereignty is the
security of our borders. The current system is a
virtual concrete wall against those who have skill
and education, but it's a wide-open walk across the
border for those that have neither." — Remarks at
Conservative Political Action Conference in
Washington, March 2.
___
Rep. Tom Tancredo of Colorado
Where
he stands:
Opposes legal status for illegal immigrants.
Doesn't favor mass deportation; says illegal
immigrants will "self-deport" if businesses are
penalized for hiring them and jobs are unavailable.
Favors deep cut in legal immigration.
What he's said:
"When people say things like, 'Well, you can't
just deport 12 million to 20 million (people),' I
say, 'Stop there. Yes, you can.'
"It is a huge undertaking, but yes, you can do
that. The good thing is, we don't have to. Millions
and millions will return home, if the thing for
which they came is not available. If you cannot get
a job or social service benefits here, what do you
do?" — Interview with AP, April 13.
___
Former Wisconsin Gov. and former Health and
Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson
Where
he stands:
Says people in the U.S. illegally should be
deported and should have to wait at the end of the
line behind people seeking to enter the U.S. or
become citizens legally.