Last year, we saw crops go un-harvested in the Northwest because of the stalemate on immigration reform. But I am leery of guest worker programs that would create a permanent underclass of exploited workers or drive down the wages of American workers.
We should re-examine the economic and trade policies contributed to illegal immigration. Working to improve economic conditions in Mexico, which we’ve tried and failed to do with NAFTA, could help reduce the incentive to attempt to enter the US illegally
Source: Campaign website, www.AlFranken.com, “Issues”
May 14, 2008
Enforce immigration law at the worksite, not at the border
The best way to deal with illegal immigration is to enforce--actually enforce--the law at the worksite. No wall is high enough to keep people from coming over it--or under it--if there are jobs waiting on the other side.
Employers who disregard
the law should be actually punished--with fines and, if necessary, incarceration.
Worker identification should be truly tamper-proof. That goal is in reach with the help of biometrics. Of course, we must safeguard our civil liberties and privacy.
Source: Campaign website, www.alfranken.com, “Issues”
Mar 9, 2008
We need comprehensive immigration reform
I believe we need comprehensive immigration reform. I don’t believe it’s practical to deport the 10-12 million undocumented immigrants currently residing in the US. And I don’t believe in breaking up families. Instead, we should look to bring them
out of the shadows and put them on a path to citizenship, providing that they:
have been working
have paid taxes
have not committed any crimes since coming to this country
speak, or are learning to speak, English
pay a nominal fine.
Source: Campaign website, www.alfranken.com, “Issues”
Mar 9, 2008
