2010 KS Senate Debates: on Immigration

Jerry Moran: No driver's licenses & no college discounts for illegals

Jerry Moran criticized Tiahrt during the debate for past support of proposals to allow some illegal immigrants to obtain driver's licenses and to make it easier for some to pay lower college tuition. Tiahrt said his views shifted as he consulted with Kansans and studied the issue. Moran endorsed the new Arizona law and derided the Obama administration's challenge as "a silly waste of taxpayer dollars."

Tiahrt said Moran opposed federal legislation to block cities from making themselves sanctuaries for illegal immigrants, citing Moran's vote against a 2003 bill to cut off federal funds to cities that wouldn't allow law enforcement to share information. "I've voted numerous times in support of eliminating sanctuary cities," Moran refuted. "That's a terrible idea. It's wrong."

Todd Tiahrt: I've shifted my view: build the fence on Mexican border

Jerry Moran criticized Tiahrt during the debate for past support of proposals to allow some illegal immigrants to obtain driver's licenses and to make it easier for some to pay lower college tuition. Tiahrt said his views shifted as he consulted with Kansans and studied the issue. Tiahrt acknowledged he once supported proposals on tuition and driver's licenses; Moran's staff noted Tiahrt co-sponsored legislation in 2001 and 2003. "I thought it was compassionate to not punish the children for the parents' sins." Tiahrt said. "But I've come to the conclusion that we must build the fence, that we must say 'no' to amnesty."

Tiahrt said he also wants to stop printing bilingual election ballots, a practice he said encourages people to come to the US illegally.

Todd Tiahrt: Compassion for illegals on lower tuition, but no more

Tiahrt said his position could be made clear in three words--"Build the fence." He repeated the phrase 4 more times during the debate. He criticized Moran for supporting the idea of bilingual ballots and for voting in favor of the children's health insurance reauthorization, which, in addition to providing millions to states for low-income children, also made it more difficult to deny coverage to children of illegal immigrants.

Tiahrt said his previous support for making it easier for children of illegal immigrants to receive tuition was done out of a belief that it "was compassionate not to punish the kids of immigrants." Since then, he changed his mind. "We must say no to amnesty and build the fence," he said.