Immigration Policy
 

The United States has a proud immigrant history, giving people the world over a safe and secure place to pursue their dreams. Despite the vitriol, misconceptions and distortions that surround the immigration debate, it is incumbent upon us as a nation to recognize that immigration is a grand part of our national character, and that when approaching the challenge of illegal immigration we confront this problem with pragmatism and understanding.

A comprehensive immigration policy will require recognition that people from all over the world will want to continue to immigrate to the United States, that the status of tens of millions of illegal immigrants already here must somehow be normalized; and that the United States must protect the integrity of its borders. To achieve such a comprehensive policy, as U.S. Senator I will support legislation that:
 

• Provides otherwise law-abiding undocumented workers and their families who work here and contribute to their communities with permanent legal status through an earned legalization program;
• Creates legal paths for entry (as opposed to open gates) for those who want to legally immigrate to the United States;
• Creates an effective lottery system that works to reduce the rate of illegal immigration;
• Strengthens both enforcement of and penalties for violating the employer-verification system (via Employment Eligibility Verification Form 1-9 recordkeeping); and
• Increases funding for coordination between the Department of Homeland Security (i.e. U.S. Customs and Border Protection) and the U.S. Coast Guard to strengthen defense of land and sea borders.