Republican Candidate Attitudes Toward Immigration

The Republican candidates attitudes toward immigration are not very positive toward future elimination of illegals.   The following is a report by www.numbersusa.com/content/ show that no one except Michelle Bachman gets a rating that makes us comfortable.

As we have written before, our viewpoint is that all ILLEGAL immigration should be outlawed and this survey does not make us feel comfortable. Are we so out of touch or are there others who are not comfortable with the results of this survey?  Please let us know by commenting.

 2012 Presidential Hopefuls' Immigration Stances

2012 Presidential Hopefuls' Immigration Stances

Updated: 09/08/11

2012 Presidential Hopefuls

Oppose Amnesty/Legalization

Long-term work permits and/or a path to citizenship should NOT be offered (whether through blanket amnesty or an “earned legalization” or other form) to millions of people who are illegally in the U.S.

Mandate E-Verify

Jobs held by illegal aliens SHOULD be opened up for unemployed Americans and legal immigrants already here by REQUIRING all businesses to use the Federal automated, rapid-response internet E-Verify system to screen out illegal foreign workers.

Reduce Overall Immigration

Overall immigration numbers each year SHOULD be reduced toward more traditional levels. Average annual immigration was around 250,000 from 1776 to 1976, including the most recent part of that period after World War II. But the current annual average of more than ONE MILLION since 1990 is too high. More than 38 million foreign workers and foreign-born dependents already live in the U.S. At current rates, immigration will crowd another 100 million people into the U.S. in 50 years. The government should stop forcing this rapid population expansion and its requirements of huge increases in energy, roads and other infrastructure and service.

End Chain Migration

Family-based immigration should be LIMITED to the nuclear family of spouse and minor children, as was the case during most of our history and as recommended by the bi-partisan, national Jordan Commission. Allowed would be unlimited adoptions and marriages overseas, and liberal visitor visas for extended family. But eliminated would be the “chain migration” categories of permanent greencards for extended family that are the key reason immigration has quadrupled since the 1960s.

End Visa Lottery

The governmnet should STOP using a lottery to raffle off permanent work permits to 50,000 randomly chosen foreign citizens each year (an elimination suggested by the Jordan Commission).

Limit Unfair Worker Competition

The government should institute SAFEGUARDS that will prevent importation of foreign workers any time they would threaten the jobs or depress the wages of American workers.

Secure Borders

The government should fully FUND & IMPLEMENT border security measures already signed into law while finding creative ways to further protect U.S. property owners along the borders from crime and protect all Americans from terrorist and organized crime operations.

Implement Entry/Exit

The Administration should put into full operation the entry/exit system required by current law to monitor those who enter and leave our country, especially for the purposes of national security.

Support Local Enforcement

The Administration should COOPERATE WITH & FACILITATE efforts by state and local governments to move unlawfully present foreign nationals from their communities in order to increase job opportunities for unemployed Americans and legal immigrants.

Punish Business Violators

The Administration SHOULD aggressively remove the economic incentives for employers to hire illegal foreign workers through means such as fines, tax policies and incarceration.

Tackle Refugee FraudThe “Temporary Protected Status” system should be reformed so that foreign nationals return to their homelands as soon as the temporary disaster/conflict has abated. The number of permanent work permits/green cards issued each year should be limited to the U.S. fair share of refugees around the world who have been designated as requiring third-country re-settlement.

End Birthright CitizenshipThe United States should JOIN nearly all other advanced nations—and the majority of all nations—in ending the practice of granting citizenship to the births to illegal aliens, foreign students and tourists. Our antiquated policy entices further illegal immigration and retards the decision of illegal aliens to go back home.

Barack
Obama(DEM)

Abysmal

Pres. Obama has consistently throughout his presidency called for permanent work permits and a path to citizenship for nearly all illegal aliens in this country.
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First Steps

Pres. Obama is trying to stop states from mandating E-Verify on their own. Nonetheless, he barely earns a First Steps rating because he issued an executive order in 2009 requiring all federal contractors and subcontractors to use E-Verify to keep from hiring illegal aliens, doubling the number of people being run through the system.
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Unhelpful

President Obama has said nothing about the need to reduce overall immigration or to stop immigration from forcing massive new population growth and congestion.
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Bad

President Obama supports "comprehensive immigration reform" bills (such as those of Rep. Luis Gutierrez and Sen. Robert Menendez) that not only protect Chain Migration categories but expand the numbers.
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Unhelpful

President Obama has taken no actions, nor made any statements, regarding the visa lottery.
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Abysmal

Pres. Obama's Administration has continued to issue permanent work permits (green cards) and temporary work visas during the Jobs Depression at about the same historic high rates that existed before. Each month, his Administration has flooded U.S. occupations with 75,000 new working age permanent immigrants, plus tens of thousands of temporary foreign workers, even as 22 million Americans who want a full-time job cannot find one.
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Bad

Pres. Obama has not acted to finish the Congressionally-mandated border fence and has sent only a token number of National Guardsmen and women to help secure the border.
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Abysmal

Even though current U.S. law requires the government to implement a biometric entry/exit system, Pres. Obama—like his two predecessors—has refused to do so.
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Bad

Pres. Obama's record is quite mixed. He deserves an Aybsmal rating for his Administration's agressive use of the courts to stop state and local efforts to help the feds enforce immigration law. And he has watered down the 287(g) program. Nonetheless, we give him "only" a Bad rating because he has at least has resisted strong lobbying from his political base to eliminate 287(g) and the Secure Communities programs.
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Unhelpful

Pres. Obama has spoken numerous times about the need to punish those who knowingly hire illegal aliens, but has so far taken very few actions to punish violators.
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Abysmal

Pres. Obama is as bad as Pres. Bush was in this category. He has repeatedly corrupted the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program by re-extending TPS to nationalities based on political appeals even though the crisis at home that warranted the status in the first place no longer exists.
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Bad

The Obama Administration has not been much involved in the debate over giving U.S. citizenship to births of illegal aliens but has ridiculed the idea of ending it.
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Obama

Michele
Bachmann (GOP)

Excellent

Rep. Bachmann earns an Excellent rating because her actions and statements have clearly opposed mass legalizations and have been recent.
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Good

Congresswoman Bachmann in the past has co-sponsored legislation to make E-Verify mandatory nationally for all employers but has done nothing in this Congress to provide support, keeping her from an Excellent rating.
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Unhelpful

Rep. Bachmann has said nothing about whether the federal government should continue to force massive population growth in the U.S.
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Unhelpful

While in Congress, Rep. Bachmann has failed to co-sponsor any of the bills that would reduce or end non-nuclear family chain migration.
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Unhelpful

While in Congress, Rep. Bachmann has failed to co-sponsor any of the bills that would eliminate the visa lottery.
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First Steps

While in Congress, Rep. Bachmann has failed to support legislation to reduce the number of foreign workers admitted to the United States. This failure to act is all the more damaging during a jobs depression. But she earns a First Steps rating for noting that high immigration is unfair to American workers during high unemployment.
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Excellent

Rep. Bachmann has co-sponsored bills, voted for legislation and spoken in the media in support of finishing the border fence and increasing armed personnel on the border.
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Unhelpful

Rep. Bachmann has done or said nothing about fully implementing an entry/exit system for foreign students, tourists and temporary workers.
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Excellent

Rep. Bachmann has consistently and recently co-sponsored bills, voted for legislation and spoken in the media in support of state and local "force multiplier" enforcement of immigration laws.
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Good

While in Congress, Rep. Bachmann has co-sponsored the bipartisan SAVE Act, which would mandate E-Verify and punish those businesses that knowingly hire illegal workers.
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Good

In 2007, Rep. Bachmann supported the Forbes amendment to H.R. 2638, which would have prevented funds pursuant this bill from being used to extend the temporary protected status of a country.
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Good

During the 110th Congress, Rep. Bachmann cosponsored H.R. 1868, the Birthright Citizenship Act of 2009.
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Bachmann

Mitt
Romney (GOP)

Excellent

Gov. Romney has provided a consistent opposition to mass legalization, starting with his 2008 campaign. He also names and opposes a number of rewards for illegal immigration which are a type of amnesty.
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Good

Gov. Romney misses an EXCELLENT rating because he hasn't explicitly outlined a mandatory workplace verification system that not only would prevent new hires of illegal aliens but would move illegal aliens out of their existing jobs. However, he regularly decries the jobs magnet that drives most illegal immigration and says he would turn it off with a strong workplace verification system. This barely gets him over the line into a GOOD rating. He needs to become more specific.
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Unhelpful

We are unaware of Gov. Romney ever saying anything about the overall numerical level of immigration. He appears oblivious to the possibility that never-ending, immigration-driven, rapid population growth might be negative for Americans' quality of life or the natural environment. During the 2008 campaign, he seemed to indirectly be pushing for even higher levels of immigration as he regularly called for more highly skilled immigration. We rated him BAD. He seemed to be talking about quite a lot of additional immigrants. We have upgraded him in this category just barely across the line into UNHELPFUL because during the current campaign he has not been making high-skill increases something he routinely talks about -- and because he has said importing additional foreign labor is a bad idea during high undemployment. He remains most decidedly UNHELPFUL, though.
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Unhelpful

Gov. Romney has not made his position clear regarding chain migration.
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Unhelpful

Gov. Romney has not made his position clear regarding the visa lottery.
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Unhelpful

When Gov. Romney was asked at the 2011 Iowa Straw Poll on August 11 if more foreign labor should be imported while unemployment was above 9.0%, he replied: "Of course not. We're not looking to bring more people into jobs that can be done by Americans." But he also expressed support for a plan that would give greencards to foreign students who earn a Ph.D. in the U.S.
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Excellent

Gov. Romney is a consistent supporter of the completion of the congressionally ordered fence, and he provides other detailed promises about securing the border, including taking away incentives like jobs and benefits that entice more people to try to cross illegally.
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Unhelpful

Gov. Romney has not made his position clear regarding an entry/exit system.
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Good

Gov. Romney earns a GOOD rating because of his record as governor and general comments. But he hasn't provided enough specifics about what he would do as President to help local immigration enforcement to earn him an EXCELLENT.
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GoodGov. Romney has long been clear that a big culprit in illegal immigration is businesses that hire illegal aliens, and he repeatedly calls for tough penalties. He just barely misses an EXCELLENT rating because he hasn't talked about what tools he would use as President to increase the number of businesses that are punished.
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Unhelpful

Gov. Romney has not made his position clear regarding TPS and Refugees.
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Unhelpful

Gov. Romney has not made his position clear regarding birthright citizenship for the children of illegal aliens.
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Romney

Herman
Cain (GOP)

Excellent

Mr. Cain has a several-year record of speaking against amnesty and comprehensive immigration reform.
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First Steps

Several years ago, Mr. Cain showed clear understanding of and strong support for mandatory verification to remove the jobs magnet from illegal immigration. But he has failed make this a part of his presidential campaign.
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Unhelpful

Mr. Cain has said nothing about reducing overall immigration.
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Unhelpful

Mr. Cain has said nothing about chain migration.
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Unhelpful

Mr. Cain has said nothing about the visa lottery.
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Bad

Mr. Cain's public writing and statements have indicated an opinion that there aren't enough American workers to fill U.S. jobs. He has said nothing to indicate that the federal government should reduce foreign-labor competition to unemployed Americans.
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Excellent

Mr. Cain's public comments over the years have indicated a strong commitment to doing what is necessary to secure the borders, including building a southern fence. But recent comments have not been specific enough to warrant an EXCELLENT rating.
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Unhelpful

Mr. Cain has failed to state a position about the overall number of immigrants entering the U.S. each year.
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Excellent

Mr. Cain publicly and recently stated his principle that states and localities should have the authority to help the federal government enforce immigration laws.
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Unhelpful

Mr. Cain has failed to take a position.
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Unhelpful

Mr. Cain has not taken a public position on the fraud in the refugee and Temporary Protected Status programs.
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Good

During the Presidential Debate on Jun 13, 2011, Mr. Cain said he opposes Birthright Citizenship.
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Cain

Rick Perry (GOP)

Unhelpful

Gov. Perry's position on amnesty remains unclear. During the Bush Presidency, Gov. Perry gave mild support to the idea of legalization. But he has spoken against Pres. Obama's various "administrative amnesties." He recently has defended his support as governor for Texas in-state tuition for illegal aliens (a form of amnesty). He opposes a congressional-passed amnesty as long as the border is not secure. He says once the border is secure, a conversation about amnesty can start. He does not make it clear where he would stand during such a conversation. On balance, we have to give him an UNHELPFUL, not sure whether he is closer to moving into a BAD or a GOOD rating.
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Bad

As governor, Mr. Perry has shown no leadership in requiring the use of E-Verify in his state and his comments about the program in general have been disdainful.
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Unhelpful

We are unaware of Gov. Perry ever saying anything about the overall numerical level of immigration. He appears oblivious to the possibility that never-ending, immigration-driven, rapid population growth might be negative for Americans' quality of life or the natural environment.
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Unhelpful

Gov. Perry has made no statements regarding chain migration.
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Unhelpful

Gov. Perry has taken no actions, nor made any statements, regarding the visa lottery.
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Bad

Gov. Perry has not shown an empathy for unemployed Americans who must compete with an ever-growing number of foreign workers in their occupations. Before the current Jobs Depression, he made a number of pronouncements about worker shortages and the need for more foreign workers. He has failed since then to revise those opinions, leaving him just inside the Bad rating.
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Excellent

Gov. Perry tends to ridicule a border fence and those who support it. But he is a long and strong proponent of a number of specific remedies for border security, enough to earn an EXCELLENT rating.
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Unhelpful

Gov. Perry has made no statements regarrding the implementation of an entry/exit system.
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Good

Gov. Perry has been especially active in trying to stop city officials who refuse to obey federal immigration laws (as through Sanctuary City ordinances). To rate an "Excellent," he needs to take a position on federal legislation that allows more local enforcement and on how he would change the way federal officials respond to state and local requests for more enforcement.
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Good

Rick Perry has acted to increase state penalties on businesses that violate immigration laws. For an "Excellent" rating, he needs to state what he would advocate on federal penalties.
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Unhelpful

Gov. Perry has made no statements regarding refugee fraud.
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Unhelpful

Gov. Perry has made no statements regarding Birthright Citizenship.
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Perry

Jon
Huntsman(GOP)

Bad

Gov. Huntsman has called for amnesty in the past, but during the 2011 Iowa Straw Poll debate, he didn't offer the same support even though he was asked the question.
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First Steps

As governor, Gov. Huntsman signed legislation to require the use of E-Verify.
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Bad

During a recent debate, Gov. Huntsman supported increased legal immigration numbers to help boost the economy.
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Unhelpful

Gov. Huntsman has said nothing about the need to end chain migration.
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Unhelpful

Gov. Huntsman has said nothing about the need to end the visa lottery.
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Bad

Gov. Huntsman has consistently called on Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform and increase the flow of foreign workers.
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Excellent

Gov. Huntsman has called for building a fence on the Southwest border with Mexico.
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Unhelpful

Gov. Huntsman has said nothing about the implementation of an entry/exit system.
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Good

As governor, Gov. Huntsman signed legislation to allow local enforcement of immigration enforcement laws.
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First Steps

In 2006, Gov. Huntsman called for more sanctions on employers who hire illegal aliens.
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Unhelpful

Gov. Huntsman has said nothing about dealing with refugee fraud.
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Unhelpful

Gov. Huntsman has said very little regarding Birthright Citizenship.
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Huntsman

Newt
Gingrich (GOP)

Excellent

On June 15, 2011, Rep. Gingrich sent out a Tweet supporting Sen. Grassley's mandatory E-Verify bill.
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Unhelpful

Rep. Gingrich has not used his large national soap box to advocate for mandatory E-Verify and the elimination of the jobs magnet for illegal immigraiton.
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Bad

Rep. Gingrich has said nothing about the need to reduce overall immigration. His actions in Congress, however, greatly increased overall immigration numbers through creation of the visa lottery and increasing the number of employment-based green cards. Absent recent statements to the contrary, we have to assume his Bad record of actions indicate a Bad rating for his current stances.
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Bad

While in Congress, Rep. Gingrich supported high levels of chain migration and opposed efforts to reduce it. He has said nothing to indicate a different current position.
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Unhelpful

Rep. Gingrich helped create the lottery and then supported ending it, both in the 1990s. Having said nothing about it since, he earns an Unhelpful rating.
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Bad

Rep. Gingrich is a strong supporter of importing foreign workers, both temporary and permanent. And he has made statements in this regard during the current Jobs Depression.
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Good

Unlike many who talk about the need to secure the border, Rep. Gingrich has recently been very strong and specific about doing so. Only his lack of comment on completing the fence keeps him from an Excellent rating.
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Unhelpful

Rep. Gingrich has not made his position clear regarding an entry/exit system.
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Unhelpful

Rep. Gingrich has not made his position clear regarding local enforcement of immigration laws.
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Good

Rep. Gingrich strongly supports monetary sanctions for employers who hire illegal aliens: “I wouldn’t put [employers who hire illegal aliens] in jail. I would just tell them that if they make money by hiring people illegally that we will bankrupt them.”
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Unhelpful

Rep. Gingrich has said nothing about fraud in the refugee and Temporary Protected Status programs.
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Unhelpful

Rep. Gingrich has not made his position clear regarding birthright citizenship for illegal aliens.
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Gingrich

Rick
Santorum (GOP)

Unhelpful

Sen. Santorum earned an A+ on stopping amnesties while in Congress. But recent comments to the media sound like he is leaning toward a "touchback" amnesty in which illegal aliens go back home and are quickly allowed to come back.
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Bad

Although Sen. Santorum has not recently commented on E-Verify, in 1996 he voted against creating even a voluntary E-Verify system.
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Abysmal

In a January 24, 2011, interview, Sen. Santorum said the United States needs to increase immigration: "I do think we need more people coming to this nation who want to be Americans to grow this economy. You want to fix the Social Security problem? Let's have more workers producing and helping out the situation.... For me, I'm willing to allow increased immigration to this country, which could hopefully create a path for people to come into this country the right way instead of having to come to this country the wrong way."
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First Steps

During his time in the United States Senate, Sen Santorum had a decent record of voting against chain migration, earning a B grade. Since leaving the Senate, Sen. Santorum has made no public statements about this issue.
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Bad

During his time in the United States Senate, Sen. Santorum twice voted in support of the visa lottery, earning an F- grade. Since leaving the Senate, Sen. Santorum has not discussed the visa lottery.
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Abysmal

In a January 24, 2011 interview, Sen. Santorum said the United States needs more foreign workers: "I do think we need more people coming to this nation who want to be Americans to grow this economy. You want to fix the Social Security problem? Let's have more workers producing and helping out the situation.... For me, I'm willing to allow increased immigration to this country..."
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Good

In a January 24, 2011 interview, Sen. Santorum said he would take whatever steps necessary to secure our border, using whatever physical, technological, and human resources are necessary. He misses an EXCELLENT rating because he doesn't provide enough specifics on how he would secure the border.
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First Steps

Sen. Santorum in 2002 voted in favor of an entry/exit system. However, he has not addressed this issue since leaving the Senate.
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Unhelpful

During his time in the United States Senate, Sen. Santorum was not forced to vote on local enforcement legislation. Since leaving the Senate, Sen. Santorum has not discussed local enforcement and did not discuss Arizona's interior enforcement legislation, SB 1070.
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Unhelpful

During his time in the United States Senate, Sen. Santorum was not forced to vote on legislation dealing with employers who hire illegal aliens. Since leaving the Senate, Sen. Santorum has not discussed employers who hire illegal aliens.
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Unhelpful

During his time in the United States Senate, Sen. Santorum was not forced to vote on legislation dealing with refugees. Since leaving the Senate, Sen. Santorum has not discussed refugee issues.
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Unhelpful

During his time in the United States Senate, Sen. Santorum did not take any action on birthright citizenship and has not discussed the issue since leaving the Senate.
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Santorum

Gary
Johnson (GOP)

Abysmal

Gov. Gary Johnson is in favor of a legalization program for illegal aliens. In the Republican Presidential Debate on May 5, 2011, Gov. Johnson said: “With regard to the 11 million illegal immigrants that are in the country right now, I think we need to recognize that the government's the reason they're here illegally, they've made it impossible to get a work visa. So, set up grace period whereby those 11 million can get a work visa -- not citizenship, not a Green Card, but a work visa. Document those workers, so when it comes to building a fence across two-thousand miles of border, when it comes to putting the national guard arm-in-arm across two-thousand miles of border, in my opinion, that would be a whole lot of money spent with very little if any benefit whatsoever.”
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Unhelpful

Gov. Johnson has not discussed mandating E-Verify.
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Bad

In June 2010, Gov. Johnson released his 6-point immigration reform plan. In it he says: “Immigration into the United States by ambitious, willing workers and their families is a good thing. Not only is it a historical and energizing part of American culture and experience, it is vital to our economy. These positive benefits should not be sacrificed or reduced in any solution to stop illegal immigration.”
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Unhelpful

Gov. Johnson has not discussed ending chain migration.
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Unhelpful

Gov. Johnson has not discussed ending the visa lottery.
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Bad

In the Republican Presidential Debate on May 5, 2011, Gov. Johnson said: “Well, first of all, I start with the premise that immigration is ultimately responsible for tens of millions of jobs, so creating tens of millions of jobs as opposed to taking away of jobs. I think we should make it as easy as possible to get a work visa. A work visa would not be citizenship, it wouldn't be a Green Card, but it would be a background check and a Social Security card so that applicable taxes would get paid. Immigration needs to be about work, not welfare.”
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Bad

In June 2010, Gov. Johnson released his 6-point immigration reform plan. In it he says:“In reality, true and cost-effective border security will only be achieved through a common sense combination of technology, a market-based guest worker program, and a safe, but efficient system for the legal flow of immigrants to and from the United States.” He also says we need to “Support current border deterrents and security measures, with an understanding of the low cost benefit analysis of these methods.”
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Unhelpful

Gov. Johnson has not discussed implementing an entry/exit system.
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Bad

In June 2010, Gov. Johnson said: “Our current system needs to be repaired. The lack of Federal leadership on immigration has forced states like Arizona to take matters into their own hands. It is time to take a hard look at solving our immigration problems.”
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Good

In June 2010, Gov. Johnson released his 6-point immigration reform plan. In it he says the United States should: “Impose and enforce sanctions and fines for noncompliance with immigration laws by employers that are sufficiently costly, ensuring that the risks simply are not worth the rewards.”
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Unhelpful

Gov. Johnson has not discussed tackling refugee fraud.
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Unhelpful

Gov. Johnson has not discussed ending birthright citizenship.
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Johnson

Ron
Paul (GOP)

Unhelpful

Although Rep. Paul has always opposed amnesty, he also refuses to back enforcement measures that would lead to significant attrition of the illegal population. The effect of his positions is a de facto amnesty, and he recently has talked of the impossibility of handling most illegal aliens in any way but giving them some way to stay in the U.S. He tends to use the same language as the pro-amnesty lobbies who say the choise is between mass deportation or some sort of legalization.
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Bad

Rep. Paul has never co-sponsored a bill mandating E-Verify. He philosophically opposes having businesses involved in keeping illegal foreign workers from getting jobs.
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Bad

Rep. Paul has never indicated there is any problem with the federal government using immigration policy to drive the largest population explosion in U.S. history. He generally supports increasing immigration as high as businesses might want it to go, although he seems to prefer temporary over permanent immigration. But his actions in Congress tend to be less geared toward increasing immigration than his pronouncements, saving him from an Abysmal rating.
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Unhelpful

Rep. Paul has not taken any actions to reduce non-nuclear family chain migration, although there have been bills he could co-sponsor every year.
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First Steps

While Rep. Paul has not recently acted to end the visa lottery, he did support its elimination in 2004 and 2005.
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Abysmal

Rep. Paul espouses a largely unfettered business philosophy of allowing employers to import far more foreign labor than they do now. And he does so even in the midst of 22 million Americans currently unable to find a full-time job.
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Unhelpful

Rep. Paul talks about the need for border security and supports more Border Patrol and rights for border land owners to protect themselves. But he has consistently voted against other tougher measures to secure the border. His career record in Congress earns a C-minus on his NumbersUSA grade on Borders. Only one Republican in Congress has a worse grade.
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Bad

Although several years ago he voted for an amendment that would have implemented the Entry/Exit system so that we can keep track of visitors, his new book expresses opposition to requring U.S. citizens to go through the same procedures when leaving and entering the country. But the only way to ensure that foreign citizens leave when they are supposed to -- and are entered into our system when they come into the country -- is to require all travelers to be checked in and out.
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Unhelpful

In his 2011 book Liberty Defined, Rep. Paul expresses support for local enforcement of immigration laws while stopping short of supporting Arizona's interior enforcement law, SB 1070. He says, "permit states to enforce [immigration] laws" and "Arizona-type immigration legislation can turn out to be harmful. Being able to stop any American citizen under the vague charge of "suspicion" is dangerous."
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Abysmal

In his 2011 book Liberty Defined, Rep. Paul says we shouldn't "punish third parties for not being keen to act as law enforcement agents in regard to illegal immigration. Blaming American employers and fining them for hiring an individual, directly or indirectly, possibly with a counterfeit identification, strikes me as a compulsory servitude not permitted under the Constitution. Determining who is legal or not is a police and court function, not a responsibility of private business."
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Unhelpful

Rep. Paul has not taken any action regarding TPS or cracking down on refugee fraud.
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Good

In his 2011 book Liberty Defined, Rep. Paul says the United States should "not grant automatic citizenship to children of illegal immigrants born in the United States, deliberately or accidentally."
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Paul

Your comments, additions & corrections: We want to hear from you, especially if you have links to media reports of immigration statements and positions that we don’t have. Send them to: elections2012@numbersusa.com
These are snapshots of views that are bound to change: We expect stances, our ratings of stances and the grades for these Presidential Hopefuls to change a great deal during 2011. We will re-evaluate every Hopeful and every position once every week. NumbersUSA expects that as American voters interact with the Hopefuls their immigration positions will improve.
Why these people? Their appearance here is based on the interest they have shown in potentially running for President, and in the interest that the news media has in them, plus their standing in preference polling. We will be adding other people to – and removing people from – the grid as these levels of interest shift.
Why these categories? The 12 categories on this grid deal with the vast majority of problems with current immigration policies that grant more than 1 million permanent work visas to immigrants each YEAR, and which allow an estimated 7 million jobs in construction, service, manufacturing and transportation to be filled by illegal foreign workers. These policies also drive the majority of additional demands on the physical, social and natural infrastructures of the country, since new immigrants and births to immigrants account for more than three-quarters of the 30 million additional people added to the U.S. population growth each decade. Most of the 12 categories were among the recommendations of the bi-partisan congressional/presidential commission chaired by Barbara Jordan.

What counts most in ratings? These are not Report Cards on past actions, which matter but not as much as what these politicians now say in the news media or on official websites. These grades and ratings are about what a Hopeful says a President should do about immigration. We look at contradictions and changes in stances. We generally give the most weight to the most recent statements and actions. To view the specific actions and statements of a candidate, click on his/her photo.
Why are we such tough graders? The ratings and grades reflect an urgency about the 22 million Americans who want a job but can't find one (the government's "U-6" unemployment category) and about the federal government continuing to force massive population growth while the nation is unable to meet its infrastructure and environmental goals with the current population size. Refusal to deal with a specific immigration category draws an "Unhelpful" rating. Merely avoiding "bad" immigration positions and drawing an “Unhelpful” in all the categories will result in a “D-minus” grade.

Other Potential Candidates:

These politicians don't meet the overall criteria for "major presidential hopeful" to appear at the top of this page. But they are people of considerable public interest in relation to the national race.

Oppose Amnesty/Legalization

Long-term work permits and/or a path to citizenship should NOT be offered (whether through blanket amnesty or an “earned legalization” or other form) to millions of people who are illegally in the U.S.

Mandate E-Verify

Jobs held by illegal aliens SHOULD be opened up for unemployed Americans and legal immigrants already here by REQUIRING all businesses to use the Federal automated, rapid-response internet E-Verify system to screen out illegal foreign workers.

Reduce Overall Immigration

Overall immigration numbers each year SHOULD be reduced toward more traditional levels. Average annual immigration was around 250,000 from 1776 to 1976, including the most recent part of that period after World War II. But the current annual average of more than ONE MILLION since 1990 is too high. More than 38 million foreign workers and foreign-born dependents already live in the U.S. At current rates, immigration will crowd another 100 million people into the U.S. in 50 years. The government should stop forcing this rapid population expansion and its requirements of huge increases in energy, roads and other infrastructure and service.

End Chain Migration

Family-based immigration should be LIMITED to the nuclear family of spouse and minor children, as was the case during most of our history and as recommended by the bi-partisan, national Jordan Commission. Allowed would be unlimited adoptions and marriages overseas, and liberal visitor visas for extended family. But eliminated would be the “chain migration” categories of permanent greencards for extended family that are the key reason immigration has quadrupled since the 1960s.

End Visa Lottery

The governmnet should STOP using a lottery to raffle off permanent work permits to 50,000 randomly chosen foreign citizens each year (an elimination suggested by the Jordan Commission).

Limit Unfair Worker Competition

The government should institute SAFEGUARDS that will prevent importation of foreign workers any time they would threaten the jobs or depress the wages of American workers.

Secure Borders

The government should fully FUND & IMPLEMENT border security measures already signed into law while finding creative ways to further protect U.S. property owners along the borders from crime and protect all Americans from terrorist and organized crime operations.

Implement Entry/Exit

The Administration should put into full operation the entry/exit system required by current law to monitor those who enter and leave our country, especially for the purposes of national security.

Support Local Enforcement

The Administration should COOPERATE WITH & FACILITATE efforts by state and local governments to move unlawfully present foreign nationals from their communities in order to increase job opportunities for unemployed Americans and legal immigrants.

Punish Business Violators

The Administration SHOULD aggressively remove the economic incentives for employers to hire illegal foreign workers through means such as fines, tax policies and incarceration.

Tackle Refugee FraudThe “Temporary Protected Status” system should be reformed so that foreign nationals return to their homelands as soon as the temporary disaster/conflict has abated. The number of permanent work permits/green cards issued each year should be limited to the U.S. fair share of refugees around the world who have been designated as requiring third-country re-settlement.

End Birthright CitizenshipThe United States should JOIN nearly all other advanced nations—and the majority of all nations—in ending the practice of granting citizenship to the births to illegal aliens, foreign students and tourists. Our antiquated policy entices further illegal immigration and retards the decision of illegal aliens to go back home.

Chris
Christie(GOP)

Bad

Gov. Christie has made a number of statements that indicate he favors giving a lot of illegal aliens some kind of restricted legalization while also talking about the need to repatriate many of them. His minimizing of the seriousness of breaking immigration laws pushes him over line into a Bad rating.
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Unhelpful

Gov. Christie has not spoken of the need on the state or federal level to mandate the use of E-Verify or prevent illegal aliens from taking U.S. jobs.
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Unhelpful

Gov. Christie has not made any statements regarding reducing overall immigration to the United States.
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Unhelpful

Gov. Christie has not made any statements regarding limiting chain migration.
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Unhelpful

Gov. Christie has not made any statements regarding the visa lottery.
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Unhelpful

Gov. Christie has not made any statements regarding reducing the number of foreign workers entering the United States during a time of high unemployment.
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Unhelpful

Like everybody else, Gov. Christie has called for secure borders but he has not made any specific recommendation for how to do it, including no support for extra manpower or for completing the fence.
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Unhelpful

Gov. Christie has done or said nothing about fully implementing an entry/exit system for foreign students, tourists and temporary workers.
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Bad

Christie has done nothing as governor to help support immigration enforcement and has publicly expressed reservations about states doing so, pushing him into a Bad rating.
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Unhelpful

Gov. Christie has done or said nothing about punishing businesses that hire illegal workers.
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Unhelpful

Gov Christie has not made any statements regarding fraud within the refugee and Temporary Protected Status programs.
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Unhelpful

Gov. Christie has said nothing about birthright citizenship for births to illegal aliens and foreign tourists.
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Christie

Sarah
Palin(GOP)

Good

In June 2011, Gov. Palin said that immigrants should stand in line and follow the law.
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Unhelpful

Gov. Palin has done or said nothing regarding E-Verify or employment verification.
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Unhelpful

Gov. Palin has said nothing regarding reducing America's overall immigration numbers.
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Unhelpful

Gov. Palin has said nothing about chain migration.
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Unhelpful

Gov. Palin said nothing about the visa lottery.
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Bad

Gov. Palin has made it clear that the United States needs a steady flow of immigrants in order for our economy to function.
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Excellent

Gov. Palin says she would send as many National Guardsmen and women as it takes to secure the border and would complete the southwest border fence.
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Unhelpful

Gov. Palin has not said anything about implementing an entry/exit system.
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Good

Gov. Palin has been a very vocal in her support of Arizona's right to enforce federal immigration laws (especially Arizona's SB 1070). However, she has not specified what a President should do about the feds cooperating with local enforcement.
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Unhelpful

Gov. Palin has not made her position clear regarding punishing businesses who hire illegal aliens.
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Unhelpful

Gov. Palin has said nothing about fraud in the refugee and Temporary Protected Status programs.
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Unhelpful

Gov. Palin has not made her position clear regarding birthright citizenship for illegal aliens.
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Palin