State of Wyoming Archives: on Immigration
Cynthia Lummis:
Path forward for legal immigrants + wall on southern border
Q: Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?A: I support comprehensive immigration reform that prioritizes the safety and security of U.S. citizens while providing a lawful path forward for legal immigrants.
There is no question that immigrants are a part of our nation's fabric and critical to our economy and core industries.
However, our current system of immigration does not work for our nation or immigrants. I support President Trump's efforts to build a wall along our southern border and to defund sanctuary cities.
Until significant changes are made to improve our current immigration system, I do not support making any changes to our current levels or criteria for immigration.
Source: AFA iVoterGuide on 2020 Wyoming Senate race
Nov 3, 2020
Gary Trauner:
Protect DREAMers; allow refugees; continue existing vetting
Any country must have the ability to determine who can legally enter its borders and stay to become citizens or temporary permanent residents. I will support a common-sense immigration policy that:- Provides for border security, including patrol
agents, technology and barriers where appropriate (for example, urban areas).
- Continues the strong and fair vetting process already in place.
- Allows for a humane number of refugees from countries torn by war, discrimination and violence--it is
a moral obligation.
- Allows for a reasonable number of economic immigrants to help staff jobs in industries where it is difficult to find American workers.
- Encourage companies to pay living wages and benefits that will entice
American workers into taking challenging jobs.
- Protects DACA "Dreamers"--those who came here through no choice of their own and who only know America as their home country.
Source: 2018 Wyoming Senatorial campaign website TraunerForWY.com
Mar 31, 2018
Gary Trauner:
America was built by immigrants, who were once unwelcome
We tend to forget that America was built on immigration, and that nearly every early immigrant group--Poles, Italians, Germans, Irish, Scandinavians, etc.--were considered illiterate and inferior, and were not initially welcome on our shores.
We also tend to forget that people don't generally immigrate from countries where the economy is good and there is no discrimination--they come to America looking for freedom and opportunity.
Source: 2018 Wyoming Senatorial campaign website TraunerForWY.com
Mar 31, 2018
Gary Trauner:
We must be able to determine who legally enter our borders
Any country must have the ability to determine who can legally enter its borders and stay to become citizens or temporary permanent residents.
I will support a common-sense policy that: Provides for border security, including patrol agents, technology and barriers where appropriate (for example, urban areas). Continues the strong and fair vetting process already in place.
Source: 2018 Wyoming Senatorial campaign website TraunerForWY.com
Feb 22, 2018
Gary Trauner:
Remember our immigrant roots and have compassion
We tend to forget that America was built on immigration. We also tend to forget that people don't generally immigrate from countries where the economy is good and there is no discrimination. I will support a common-sense immigration policy that:-
Allows for a humane number of refugees from countries torn by war, discrimination & violence--it is a moral obligation.
- Allows for a reasonable number of economic immigrants in industries where it is difficult to find American workers.
Source: 2018 Wyoming Senatorial campaign website TraunerForWY.com
Feb 22, 2018
Michael Enzi:
Abandon comprehensive reform; focus on guest workers
Candidates for the U.S. Senate tangled over a discussion of immigration. The candidates differed on the end goals of immigration reform. Incumbent Sen. Mike
Enzi said the issue stems from comprehensive reform. "We need to talk about a guest worker program in our country," Enzi said. "Right now, we bring them to our country, train them in our colleges, and then we send them back home.
The problem with immigration is we keep trying to get it done comprehensively."Enzi said that in the last attempt at comprehensive reform, six years ago,
President Barack Obama led the charge to defeat that reform in his role as an Illinois senator. He said that ultimately the act fell on a dispute over a guest worker program.
Source: Casper Star-Tribune on 2014 Wyoming Senate race
Aug 14, 2014
Charlie Hardy:
Current deportation policy wastes money & does no real good
Hardy said the immigration policies are both foolish and cruel. He has sat through hearings where Mexican citizens were brought before a judge in groups, quickly sentenced and sent back to their country,
where no jobs or opportunities awaited them. Incarcerating people and then sending them back to Mexico and other nations wastes money and does no real good, Hardy said.
Source: Powell Tribune coverage of 2014 Wyoming Senate race
Mar 18, 2014
Mark Gordon:
Enforce the law; deport the criminals; secure the borders
It is long past time to secure our borders, enforce the laws on the books, and immediately deport the criminals that are living here illegally. No amnesty!Wyoming has experienced a shortage of labor, but that is no excuse to allow illegal immigrants
to overload our schools and healthcare systems. Moreover, people who are here illegally are here at risk of exploitation too. It is lose-lose for everyone except those who set out to break the law.
Undercutting wages and taxing our domestic services
costs taxpayers twice while allowing the unscrupulous few to compete unfairly against those who try to do it right. That is un-American and wrong.
Let's stop talking about securing the borders and get it done with technology, boots on the ground,
streamlined coordination between local and federal law enforcement, and better security deployed at the first point of contact. We need to emphasize security on all our borders, our southern and northern borders as well as our coasts and skies.
Source: 2008 Wyoming House campaign website gordon08.com
Nov 1, 2008
Mark Gordon:
Reform temporary work visas so they work for businesses
Wyoming has experienced a shortage of labor, but that is no excuse to allow illegal immigrants to overload our schools and healthcare systems.We need an adequate, efficient, and secure temporary worker system for people like sheep herders and
shearers, students, and hospitality workers wanting to work or study here legally. These programs need visas that are traceable, verifiable, tamperproof, and with biometric safeguards.
I will work to reform the H2-A and H2-B visa system so that it works for Wyoming's businesses.
No more empty promises on the immigration issue. Let's get on with securing our country, and let's let business get on with business, but on a fair and
equal footing that emphasizes American workers first. It is time we reformed the process, enhanced our national security, and made temporary work visas more secure, efficient, appropriate and suitable for the workforces our great nation needs.
Source: 2008 Wyoming House campaign website gordon08.com
Nov 1, 2008
Michael Enzi:
Voted in favor of the Secure Fence Act
I am concerned about the cost of illegal immigration on our cities and counties, especially in the areas of health care and education. I am an original member of the Border Security and Enforcement First Caucus, a group that brings together
like-minded conservative senators to advocate for increases in border security and interior enforcement. I voted in favor the Secure Fence Act. Hundreds of miles of secure fence have been built since then and more is under construction.
Source: 2008 Senate campaign website, www.enziforwyoming.com
Aug 12, 2008
Page last updated: Oct 14, 2021