Survey of Gubernatorial campaign websites, 2001-2009: on Immigration


Bill Richardson: Declared state of emergency on Mexican border

In Aug. 2005, Gov. Richardson declared a state of emergency on the New Mexico-Mexico border to ensure that law enforcement officers received the resources they need. He made $1.75 million in state funds immediately available to assist efforts in policing the border. New Mexico then agreed to allow the National Guard to deploy to the border. New Mexico is still waiting on the Federal government to fulfill their commitment to send 265 Border Patrol agents to the New Mexico-Mexico border.
Source: 2006 Gubernatorial website, billrichardson2006.com, “Issues” Nov 7, 2006

Bill Richardson: Path to legalization if illegals pay taxes & learn English

Gov. Richardson believes we can strengthen our borders and still deal fairly with those who want nothing but the American dream. The only realistic solution is to create a path to legalization for immigrants who are paying taxes, learning English, and contributing to our society. He also believes that the US must engage Mexico and build up its border economy to make a better life possible for Mexicans in Mexico. Also, a plan to crack down on employers who knowingly violate the law is imperative.
Source: 2006 Gubernatorial website, billrichardson2006.com, “Issues” Nov 7, 2006

Bill Ritter: No welfare benefits or drivers license for illegals

Washington has failed to secure our borders, prosecute companies that knowingly hire undocumented workers, and punish human smugglers and traffickers. These are unacceptable failures. We need to require illegal immigrants to pay back taxes and fines and to begin the formal citizenship process. Everyone must play by the same set of rules. I support prohibiting welfare benefits for undocumented immigrants. Nor should illegal immigrants be able to obtain a government-issued driver’s license.
Source: 2006 Gubernatorial website, ritterforgovernor.com, “Issues” Nov 7, 2006

Mike Beebe: Significantly increase border security

Illegal immigration is compromising our national security, impacting our economy and is the single biggest source of illegal methamphetamines coming into America. We need to significantly increase border security and tighten enforcement of immigration laws, including tougher penalties for companies that knowingly hire undocumented workers.

We need to make sure illegal immigrants learn English, pay any back taxes & a fine, before they can get in the back of the line to be considered for legal status.

Source: 2006 Gubernatorial website, www.mikebeebe.com, “Issues” Nov 7, 2006

Phil Bredesen: Develop sensible, uniform national policies for immigration

Working with the federal government to address illegal immigration: Illegal immigration is a national issue that requires a coordinated national response. I’m working with Democrats and Republicans in the National Governors Association to encourage and support the federal government in its efforts to develop sensible, uniform national policies for addressing this issue.
Source: 2006 Gubernatorial website, bredesen.com, “Issues” Nov 7, 2006

Sonny Perdue: No welfare or other services for illegals

We must ensure that individuals receiving taxpayer-funded services are US and Georgia citizens. Illegal immigrants’ first stop when they cross the border should not be the welfare line. Georgians cannot carry the burden of individuals who are receiving state services and not contributing to the system.Last December, Sonny instructed the state agency which administers our taxpayer-funded healthcare program to institute a new income and citizenship verification requirement for applicants.
Source: 2006 Gubernatorial website, www.votesonny.com, “Issues” Nov 7, 2006

Christy Mihos: No taxpayer-funded benefits for illegal immigrants

Source: 2006 Gubernatorial campaign website, www.christy2006.com Jul 16, 2006

Arnold Schwarzenegger: Increase federal reimbursement for border enforcement

Immigrants contribute to the richness of life in California, and I embrace them.

Border enforcement is a federal responsibility. However, state taxpayers currently bear the costs of providing public services to undocumented immigrants, such as incarcerating undocumented immigrants in the state prison system. I will work with other border states, the President, and the US Congress to increase federal reimbursements for these costs.

Source: 2003 Gubernatorial campaign website, JoinArnold.com Aug 29, 2003

Arnold Schwarzenegger: Address undocumented immigrants living underground

Q: What is your position on undocumented immigrants?

A: Proposition 187 has been resolved by the courts. It is time to move on. More than 2.3 million undocumented immigrants currently live in California. They cannot continue to live underground. I will work with federal officials to address this problem.

Source: 2003 Gubernatorial campaign website, JoinArnold.com Aug 29, 2003

Arianna Huffington: Supports immigrant rights

On Immigration: Arianna supports immigrant rights. As a Greek immigrant herself - one of the 9 million Californians who weren’t born in this country - she knows first-hand the difficulties that immigrants face. Arianna supports the push to provide immigrants with driver’s licenses.
Source: 2003 Gubernatorial campaign website, AriannaForGov.com Aug 15, 2003

  • The above quotations are from Survey of Gubernatorial campaign websites, 2001-2009.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Immigration.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
  • Click here for more quotes by Linda Lingle on Immigration.
  • Click here for more quotes by Jim Douglas on Immigration.
Candidates and political leaders on Immigration:

Retired Senate as of Jan. 2015:
GA:Chambliss(R)
IA:Harkin(D)
MI:Levin(D)
MT:Baucus(D)
NE:Johanns(R)
OK:Coburn(R)
SD:Johnson(D)
WV:Rockefeller(D)

Resigned from 113th House:
AL-1:Jo Bonner(R)
FL-19:Trey Radel(R)
LA-5:Rod Alexander(R)
MA-5:Ed Markey(D)
MO-9:Jo Ann Emerson(R)
NC-12:Melvin Watt(D)
SC-1:Tim Scott(R)
Retired House to run for Senate or Governor:
AR-4:Tom Cotton(R)
GA-1:Jack Kingston(R)
GA-10:Paul Broun(R)
GA-11:Phil Gingrey(R)
HI-1:Colleen Hanabusa(D)
IA-1:Bruce Braley(D)
LA-6:Bill Cassidy(R)
ME-2:Mike Michaud(D)
MI-14:Gary Peters(D)
MT-0:Steve Daines(R)
OK-5:James Lankford(R)
PA-13:Allyson Schwartz(D)
TX-36:Steve Stockman(R)
WV-2:Shelley Capito(R)
Retired House as of Jan. 2015:
AL-6:Spencer Bachus(R)
AR-2:Tim Griffin(R)
CA-11:George Miller(D)
CA-25:Howard McKeon(R)
CA-33:Henry Waxman(D)
CA-45:John Campbell(R)
IA-3:Tom Latham(R)
MN-6:Michele Bachmann(R)
NC-6:Howard Coble(R)
NC-7:Mike McIntyre(D)
NJ-3:Jon Runyan(R)
NY-4:Carolyn McCarthy(D)
NY-21:Bill Owens(D)
PA-6:Jim Gerlach(R)
UT-4:Jim Matheson(D)
VA-8:Jim Moran(D)
VA-10:Frank Wolf(R)
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Page last updated: Dec 02, 2018