State of Connecticut Archives: on Immigration


Christopher Shays: Blue card: let illegals work & pay taxes but no citizenship

On immigration, Shays took a harder line than his rivals, saying the US should patrol the border more aggressively, put up more fences and establish English as the official language of the United States. He said immigrants who are already here illegally should be given a "blue card" that allows them to work and pay taxes, but they should never be allowed to become American citizens.

McMahon said the U.S. should do more to stop illegal immigration and should not offer amnesty to those already here,

Source: Associated Press on 2012 CT GOP primary Senate debate Apr 22, 2012

Christopher Shays: Issue "blue cards" for undocumented workers

[One constituent] was interested in getting the immigration issue fixed so the Brazilian work crews he subcontracts with can get their work visas renewed. "The work visas are expiring and there are no policies in place for guys to come over on work visas. You used to be able to sponsor people, but everything is closed," he said.

Shays wants to issue "blue cards" that would allow undocumented people to work and pay taxes, as well as travel back and forth to their countries, but not become citizens

Source: New Haven Register on 2012 CT Senate debate Jun 29, 2012

Dan Malloy: Provide services without questioning immigration status

New Haven's gone in the direction of giving out ID cards. That's not a direction I chose to go as mayor, but I also chose to make sure that the people who are living in our community received appropriate services and required federal services regardless of their status.
Source: Christine Stuart on CT News Junkie, "On Illegal Immigration" Jun 22, 2010

Leora Levy: Opposes permanent legal status for DACA young adults

Levy, an immigrant, opposed giving permanent legal status to the 800,000 young adults living in legal limbo for a decade under DACA, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.
Source: The CT Mirror on 2022 Connecticut Senate race Aug 2, 2022

Linda McMahon: More merit-based system for green card & citizenship

  1. Fulfill & strengthen our commitments on border security & interior enforcement.
  2. Require electronic Social Security cards to ensure that illegal workers cannot get jobs & thereby making verification simpler for employers.
  3. Modify & streamline the process for admitting temporary workers, if they are needed in an industry, i.e. new visa categories.
  4. Strengthen green card & citizenship requirements to a more merit-based system to ensure future citizens will help contribute positively.
    Source: Connecticut Jewish Ledger coverage of 2010 CT Senate debate Sep 29, 2010

    Linda McMahon: No amnesty; enforce immigration laws

    Q: What is your stand on the current debate surrounding the immigration issue?

    BLUMENTHAL: We need to establish a comprehensive, federal solution to our ongoing immigration problem. We must secure our borders, and crack down on employers flouting the law by hiring undocumented immigrants. Piecemeal approaches to fixing this problem by various states are not the answer--Washington must fulfill its responsibility by enacting a comprehensive solution.

    McMAHON: I oppose amnesty. I support legal immigration and I believe much of this country's strength and prosperity has come as a result of the immense contributions immigrants have made. We have historically welcomed the best workers and the best minds from every country, and I believe we should continue to do so provided it is done legally. We are a nation built on the rule of law, and immigration laws--like all laws--must be enforced.

    Source: Connecticut Jewish Ledger coverage of 2010 CT Senate debate Sep 29, 2010

    Linda McMahon: No amnesty, but expand visas for temporary workers

    Shays said the US should put up more fences and establish English as the official language. He said immigrants who are already here illegally should be given a "blue card" that allows them to work and pay taxes, but they should never be allowed to become citizens.

    McMahon said the U.S. should do more to stop illegal immigration and should not offer amnesty to those already here, adding that the U.S. should expand its visa program to allow more temporary workers into the country from overseas.

    Source: Associated Press on 2012 CT GOP primary Senate debate Apr 22, 2012

    Richard Blumenthal: Enact comprehensive solution; piecemeal approach fails

    Q: What is your stand on the current debate surrounding the immigration issue?

    BLUMENTHAL: We need to establish a comprehensive, federal solution to our ongoing immigration problem. We must secure our borders, and crack down on employers flouting the law by hiring undocumented immigrants. Piecemeal approaches to fixing this problem by various states are not the answer--Washington must fulfill its responsibility by enacting a comprehensive solution.

    McMAHON: I oppose amnesty. I support legal immigration and I believe much of this country's strength and prosperity has come as a result of the immense contributions immigrants have made. We have historically welcomed the best workers and the best minds from every country, and I believe we should continue to do so provided it is done legally. We are a nation built on the rule of law, and immigration laws--like all laws--must be enforced.

    Source: Connecticut Jewish Ledger coverage of 2010 CT Senate debate Sep 29, 2010

    John Flynn: My Foreign Relations Priority: Secure Borders

    Source: 2022 CT Senate campaign website Flynn2022USSenate.com Oct 4, 2022

    • The above quotations are from State of Connecticut Politicians: Archives.
    • Click here for definitions & background information on Immigration.
    • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
    2016 Presidential contenders on Immigration:
      Republicans:
    Gov.Jeb Bush(FL)
    Dr.Ben Carson(MD)
    Gov.Chris Christie(NJ)
    Sen.Ted Cruz(TX)
    Carly Fiorina(CA)
    Gov.Jim Gilmore(VA)
    Sen.Lindsey Graham(SC)
    Gov.Mike Huckabee(AR)
    Gov.Bobby Jindal(LA)
    Gov.John Kasich(OH)
    Gov.Sarah Palin(AK)
    Gov.George Pataki(NY)
    Sen.Rand Paul(KY)
    Gov.Rick Perry(TX)
    Sen.Rob Portman(OH)
    Sen.Marco Rubio(FL)
    Sen.Rick Santorum(PA)
    Donald Trump(NY)
    Gov.Scott Walker(WI)     		Democrats:
    Gov.Lincoln Chafee(RI)
    Secy.Hillary Clinton(NY)
    V.P.Joe Biden(DE)
    Gov.Martin O`Malley(MD)
    Sen.Bernie Sanders(VT)
    Sen.Elizabeth Warren(MA)
    Sen.Jim Webb(VA)

    2016 Third Party Candidates:
    Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
    Roseanne Barr(PF-HI)
    Robert Steele(L-NY)
    Dr.Jill Stein(G,MA)
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    Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023