Immigration

I support legal immigration, and I respect and welcome those who have followed the law and made the United States their home. Our nation is stronger and more vibrant by virtue of a strong legal immigration system. The legal immigration system should be merit-based, giving applicants credit for such things as English fluency, having trade or technical skill, personal savings, and advanced degrees so these individuals may quickly become assets to their communities and prosper in our country.

I strongly oppose illegal immigration and believe our immigration system needs significant reforms. Any long-term solution must include a physical barrier along our southern border, a mandatory E-Verify system to ensure employees are in the U.S. legally and hold employers accountable, and full enforcement of our existing immigration laws. These goals are consistent with the recommendations of frontline law enforcement officers at the Department of Homeland Security who know best what is needed to fix our immigration system. I also oppose recent proposals by the Biden Administration and Washington Democrats to extend new social benefits, like universal childcare and free community college, to illegal immigrants. These policies would only worsen illegal immigration by creating additional pull factors into our country.

While I support giving Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) individuals legal status, I oppose giving these individuals a special pathway to citizenship. I also support ending chain migration and the visa lottery program.

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