Immigration
We have an obligation to welcome all immigrants, but we must have order. Immigration reform should ensure a proper and safe transition from undocumented to documented. It should include such things as protections from immediate deportation and a means to acquire proper identification. Those immigrants who have served in one of our branches of military should receive top priority for pathways to citizenship. Legal immigrants whose taxpayer dollars have been used to ensure Americans' benefits should also be provided an option to receive a portion of the benefits they've paid into.
We are all immigrants! But let me make something perfectly clear. I support legal immigration into this country. I don’t believe in making it easy for those who blatantly defy immigration laws to become citizens nor am I comfortable living in a country where millions sneak through our immigration process. I am equally opposed to open borders as they allow an uncontrolled number of individuals into the country who may or may not have the country’s best interest at heart.
I believe in the inscription written on our Statue of Liberty regarding immigration, but it must be done in a systematic and orderly way, so that no matter who you are or where you come from, for whatever reason, you can have an equal opportunity to become an American.
I maintain respect for those who go through the proper channels to become citizens and I would argue it is the first indication of someone who is going to be a true patriot. That’s what America stands for. We want responsible, smart people, and ones with integrity. There's nothing wrong with supporting national security interests and also being compassionate to migrants in need.
To that end, as your future U.S. Senator, here’s what I plan to work on upon my election to office:
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The Forgiven Strangers Act: This legislation will personally be worked on and introduced by me. It will help institute real immigration reform which would make it illegal to deport U.S. military individuals and nonmilitary who honestly and voluntarily come out of hiding who have no criminal history and place them immediately on a pathway to citizenship. We have over 12+ million undocumented immigrants in this country (as of 2020) who could be honestly contributing to our economy, our tax base, and so much more. It’s time we make it safe for them to come out of hiding and we must do it immediately.
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Undocumented Immigrants and Driver’s Licenses: America is home to 11+ million undocumented immigrants who contribute $6.9 billion in sales and excise taxes, $3.6 billion in property taxes and about $1.1 billion in personal income taxes. If the millions of undocumented immigrants were granted citizenship allowing them to work legally right now, current state and tax contributions would be boosted to over $2 billion a year. It is absurd that this many people are allowed to work in this country and help drive the American economy but can’t drive home. This is why I support providing undocumented immigrants with the ability to drive based on their ITINs (tax ID numbers) along with International Driving Permits.
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Properly and carefully reviewing U.S. Embassies in other countries and their practices and procedures for residents applying for and acquiring visas in order to address any corruption and/or conflicts of interest.
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Creating and supporting legislation that addresses both land and water (maritime violations) as it relates to illegal immigration. Additionally, we need to provide our U.S. Coast Guard and Border Patrol with the resources they need to partner and counter immigration at our Southern, Northern, Eastern, and Western borders.
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Permanent Resident and Green Card Holder Social Welfare Benefits: Legal, permanent, law-abiding residents and immigrants who pay taxes year after year which ensure Americans' benefits should also be provided with an option to receive a portion of those benefits they've paid into if they need them. In 2017, according to the American Immigration Council, in Indiana alone, immigrants contributed $702,000,000 in state and local taxes and $1,600,000,000 in federal taxes. Surely, we can provide them with some assistance.
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Individuals who overstay their visas or come from waiver countries: While there is no definitive number for how many people have overstayed their visas, we estimate it to be at nearly 7+ million people. The fact that there is no definitive number is indicative of the problem, which is why I plan to address it. The airlines can help the U.S. government a great deal with this beforehand by making it impossible for foreigners to book one-way flights or two-way flights to the U.S. that allow the traveler to stay beyond the time period given. These individuals may seek forgiveness via the Forgiven Strangers Act, which I intend to propose.
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Supporting DACA: I am in complete support of giving children a chance at amnesty. They are juveniles arriving unaccompanied and deserve our welcome. This is their country as much as it is ours.
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Enhancing legislation to enforce cooperation and participation of bordering countries when it comes to preventing illegal immigration. We must hold these bordering countries accountable and responsible for their citizens and those who they allow to haphazardly seep through their borders into ours with little to no repercussion. Enough!