State of Oregon Archives: on Immigration
Jo Rae Perkins:
For border wall, against "sanctuary status"
I stand with President Trump in expanding and fortifying the border wall. Immigrants are welcome that come into our nation legally.
Pass laws that limits or stops federal dollars to any state, county, city, etc., that has declared "sanctuary status" for illegal aliens. Allowing illegal aliens to enter our country contributes to sex, human and drug trafficking.
Source: 2020 Oregon Senate campaign website PerkinsForUSSenate.com
Aug 17, 2020
Jo Rae Perkins:
Give Dreamers opportunity to become citizens, no Federal aid
I have a common-sense solution. Dreamers would have six months to register with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and declare their intention to become US citizens. They would then have six years to become citizens. During this time,
they would be required to undergo thorough background checks to verify they are eligible for citizenship. Once the Dreamer has registered with USCIS, they would not be eligible to receive any federal assistance.
Source: 2020 Oregon Senate campaign website PerkinsForUSSenate.com
Aug 17, 2020
Jo Rae Perkins:
Yes to wall; no to illegal aliens
I stand with President Trump in expanding and fortifying the border wall. Immigrants are welcome that come into our nation legally. Pass laws that limit or stop federal dollars to any state, county, city, etc.
that has declared "sanctuary status" for illegal aliens. Allowing illegal aliens to enter our country contributes to sex, human and drug trafficking.
Source: 2020 Oregon Senate campaign website PerkinsForUSSenate.vote
Jun 17, 2020
Paul Romero:
END sanctuary cities; protect our borders
Let's keep this simple--- END Sanctuary Cities/States
- LAWFUL Immigration & Immigration Reform, Protect our Borders
Source: 2020 Oregon Senate campaign website Romero4Oregon.com
Dec 23, 2019
Paul Romero:
Border wall is a good thing for everybody
Romero is a fan of President Donald Trump, and shares many of his views on immigration. He said countries around the world protect their borders, and America should too. "A wall at the border is going to greatly reduce everything from drugs to human
trafficking to illegal immigration to the potential of terrorists moving across our borders and into our country. This is a good thing for everybody, whether they want to admit it or not," Romero said. He said he favors legal immigration.
Source: The News-Review on 2020 Oregon Senate race
Sep 20, 2019
Jo Rae Perkins:
Construct wall along the Mexican border
Q: Do you support the construction of a wall along the Mexican border?A: Yes.
Q: Do you support requiring immigrants who are unlawfully present to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?
A: Yes. The campaign we
Source: Vote Smart Oregon Congressional 2018 NPAT
Nov 1, 2018
Knute Buehler:
Omit minor infractions from sanctuary state rules
Carpenter and Wooldridge say they are against the state's sanctuary status for immigrants.
Buehler says he sees the utility of limited sanctuary rules which exclude violent criminals but block minor infractions and traffic offenses from being flagged to federal immigration authorities.
Source: Associated Press on 2018 Oregon Governor race
May 5, 2018
Kevin Stine:
Any reasonable reform includes a pathway to citizenship
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens"?
A: Support. Any reasonable suggestion for immigration reform needs to include a pathway to citizenship.
Source: Email interview on 2016 Oregon Senate race with OnTheIssues
Jan 1, 2016
Kate Brown:
Oregon will accept refugees and help them rebuild lives
Oregon will continue to accept refugees. They seek safe haven and we will continue to open the doors of opportunity to them. As Oregonians, it is our moral obligation to help them rebuild their lives.
In Oregon we will continue to abide by federal laws regarding resettlement. Oregon does not have a direct role or act independently of the federal government.
Source: The Advocate on 2016 Oregon gubernatorial race
Nov 18, 2015
Kate Brown:
Open the doors of opportunity for Syrian refugees
Gov. Kate Brown broke her silence on the controversy over resettling Syrian refugees, saying that Oregon will "open the doors of opportunity" for displaced people. "Clearly, Oregon will continue to accept refugees," Brown tweeted. "They seek safe haven
and we will continue to open the doors of opportunity for them." Brown posted a second tweet: "The words on the Statue of Liberty apply in Oregon just as they do in every other state."In a letter to Rep. Bill Post, R-Keizer, Brown said she has neither
the authority nor the will to keep Syrian refugees from resettling in Oregon. "As Oregonians, it is our moral obligation to help them rebuild their lives," Brown wrote. "In Oregon we will continue to abide by federal laws regarding resettlement.
Oregon does not have a direct role or act independently of the federal government."
Brown's statements came as a wave of mostly Republican governors across the U.S. have sought to close state borders to Syrian refugees.
Source: The Oregonian on Syrian refugees: 2016 Oregon governor race
Nov 17, 2015
Mark Callahan:
No driver's licenses for illegal immigrants
The issue of illegal immigration has been a major topic for many years in America. I personally worked with, and strongly supported, those that were against Measure 88 in the November 2014 election to stop driver's licenses from being given to illegal
immigrants. As the election results indicated, most of Oregon, by strong majority margins in 35 of the 36 counties agreed that driver's licenses for illegal immigrants was not a good idea, and Measure 88 was voted down.
When blanket amnesty was granted in 1986, it created a message that spread across the world. The message became "the welcome mat is out in America with no repercussions". For over two decades this problem of illegal immigration has been compounded by
having porous borders and lack of enforcement.
If elected, I will fight to do what is best for American families, while keeping us safe by advocating for complete border security. We must get our arms around this issue before irreparable damage is done
Source: 2016 Oregon Senate campaign website, CallahanForOregon.com
Oct 9, 2015
Kate Brown:
Expand state college aid to undocumented students
Excerpts from The Oregonian:- In a party-line vote, the Oregon House approved legislation that would expand state college aid to undocumented students.
- Senate Bill 932 marks another step toward "tuition equity" in Oregon, allowing
immigrants brought to the US by their parents to pay in-state tuition rates when attending Oregon colleges.< Under SB932, those students would be eligible for state tuition grants worth about $2,000 a year.
- State officials estimate up 350 undocumented
students, often from low-income families, will be able to receive grants & attend college. Lawmakers have added funding to help 13,000 more students overall qualify for state tuition grants.
- The vote was acrimonious: opponents pointed to a ballot
referendum that would have issued driver's cards to residents without proof of immigration status. Oregonians voted down the measure in droves.
Status:Passed Senate, 17-12-1; passed Assembly 34-25-1; Signed by the Governor 8/12/2015
Source: The Oregonian on Oregon legislative voting records: SB 9
Jul 22, 2015
Monica Wehby:
Secure the border but increase H1B visas & guest workers
Dr. Monica Wehby believes that before we make any reforms to our immigration system that we must secure the border. Border security must be the immediate priority. Monica is also against amnesty for those who came here illegally.
That simply isn't fair to the people who came here through the proper channels. Dr. Monica Wehby also believes that we need to increase the amount of H1B visas for skilled workers.
It doesn't make any sense to train and educate these workers in the U.S. and then force them to take the skills they learned here to another country.
Dr. Monica Wehby also believes we should work with Oregon's agriculturists to develop a temporary guest worker program that works.
Source: 2014 Ore. Senate campaign website, www.MonicaForOregon.com
Mar 18, 2014
Jason Conger:
Temporary visas for needed undocumented immigrants
On immigration, Callahan took the hardest line, saying that he wanted to "enforce the borders, enforce existing laws and say no to amnesty."Conger said he'd support temporary visas for undocumented immigrants to work in such areas of agriculture and
also called for additional visas for well-educated foreign workers, something that has been heavily sought by the high-tech industry.
Wehby said after the debate she hasn't decided yet if that means providing legal residency or a path to citizenship.
Source: The Oregonian on 2016 Oregon Senate race
Jan 25, 2014
Mark Callahan:
Enforce borders; enforce existing laws; say no to amnesty
On immigration, Callahan took the hardest line, saying that he wanted to "enforce the borders, enforce existing laws and say no to amnesty."Conger said he'd support temporary visas for undocumented immigrants to work in such areas of agriculture and
also called for additional visas for well-educated foreign workers, something that has been heavily sought by the high-tech industry.
Wehby said after the debate she hasn't decided yet if that means providing legal residency or a path to citizenship.
Source: The Oregonian on 2016 Oregon Senate race
Jan 25, 2014
Jason Conger:
Voted NO on drivers licenses for non-resident aliens
SB 833: Authorizes Drivers Licenses for Individuals Without Legal Proof of US Residence (Bill Passed House, 38-20); Conger voted Nay.-
Directs Department of Transportation to issue driver card to applicant who does not provide proof of legal presence in United States but otherwise has complied with all requirements for
[license or permit] type of driving privileges and has resided in Oregon for more than one year.
- Provides that driver card may be used only as evidence of grant of driving privileges.
-
Provides exceptions.
- Limits expenditures by department, for biennium beginning July 1, 2013, for carrying out provisions of Act.
Source: 2013-2014 Oregon Senate & House legislative voting records
Apr 30, 2013
Jason Conger:
Stricter rules for non-citizen college tuition equity
House Bill 2787 would grant in-state tuition for undocumented students who have attended school in the country for at least 5 years; studied at an Oregon high school for at least 3 years, and graduated; and show intention to become a US citizen or lawful
permanent resident. Supporters said it would allow children raised in Oregon to contribute to the state's economy.House Republicans unsuccessfully proposed an alternative version that would have let the bill expire in 2016 and limited tuition equity
to undocumented immigrants who are in the US by July 1. Republicans also sought stricter guidelines on how students could demonstrate they intend to become lawful residents. The House rejected the alternative proposal 23-33, leading several Republicans
to attack Democrats for what they saw as a wasted opportunity to compromise. "We could have achieved some admirable goals with this bill without ignoring the concerns of many Oregonians," said Rep. Jason Conger, R-Bend. "I consider this a failure."
Source: The Oregonian on 2014 Oregon Senate debate
Feb 22, 2013
Jeff Merkley:
Rated 90% by Oregonians for Immigration Reform
Representative Merkley supported the interests of the Oregonians for Immigration Reform 90% in 2001-2002.OFIR, Oregonians For Immigration Reform, is a non-profit organization whose members believe that our immigration laws & practices must be reformed
We are very critical of the national laws relating to legal immigration and of the enforcement policies of both the Clinton and Bush administrations relative to illegal immigration.
SUMMARY OF ARGUMENTS AGAINST INCREASED IMMIGRATION- Increases per student costs of education system because of language deficiency and poverty of most immigrant families.
- Increases law enforcement costs.
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Increases costs of social and medical services. A large percentage of immigrants pay neither income nor property taxes.
- Increased demand for low paying unskilled jobs.
- Creates surplus labor pool to support anti union employers.
Source: Oregon State Legislative Voting Records
Jan 1, 2003
Page last updated: Oct 14, 2021