2018 AZ Senate race: on Immigration

Martha McSally: Secure the border to keep out drugs & human trafficking

MCSALLY: I share the president's frustration that the Democrats are obstructing on this issue. I represent a Southern border district. And on the border right now we're dealing with a cartel activity, continuing to traffic opioids and other drugs and human trafficking into our communities. This is a public safety and a national security issue. A number of people are being trafficked by the cartels, taking advantage of the loopholes in our laws, so that they know they're going to be released right into the interior of the US, never to show up for their court date. This isn't working. And my bill that I worked really closely with the White House on closed these loopholes. Only Congress can do it This is a unifying issue across Arizona.

Martha McSally: 2015: Supported merit-based entry with keeping DREAMers

MCSALLY: I have been consistently leading on this issue as the Border Security Subcommittee chair. This is a difficult issue. But when the president kicked DACA to Congress, appropriately, we worked together, to lead, to identify a solution that secures the border, closes these legal loopholes, moves us more towards a merit- based system, and does something on DACA. This is what we worked on to bring to the floor. Unfortunately, we couldn't get it passed. But we're going to keep working on it, because the border still needs to be secured. These loopholes still need to be closed. And I'm going to continue to lead on this when I'm in the Senate. Even though Washington, D.C., moves on the other topics, we still have to address this issue.

Martha McSally: Extend DACA protections but no path to citizenship

Martha McSally (R): Formerly supported citizenship options. Now supports extending DACA protections but no path to citizenship.

Kyrsten Sinema (D): Yes. "Congress must act to secure our borders & provide an earned path to citizenship for Dreamers."

Kelli Ward: No amnesty & no compromise on immigrant family separation

"We're studying the proposal," said Arizona Rep. Martha McSally, who is viewed as the GOP establishment's favorite in one of the top Senate races. "I try not get swayed by what the emotions are or the pressure. I really try to look at the policy issues."

Kelli Ward, one of McSally's main opponents in the Arizona Senate primary on Aug. 28, was more scathing in her assessment. "Compromising on the rule of law to grant amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants is the wrong path to take," she said of the House plan. "Congress should focus on border security and stop talking about amnesty as a solution."

Martha McSally: Study proposals to deal with immigrant family separation

Trump has tried to blame Democrats for his own administration's policy, tweeting that they "can fix their forced family breakup at the Border by working with Republicans on new legislation, for a change!"

Facing a national uproar, House GOP leaders included a provision in the immigration proposal that would require families to be kept together for as long as they are in the custody of DHS.

The proposed fix won approval from moderate House Republicans locked in difficult re-election battles, but not from Republican Senate candidates running competitive races in GOP-leaning states. None spoke in support of the bill.

"We're studying the proposal," said Arizona Rep. Martha McSally. "I try not get swayed by what the emotions are or the pressure. I really try to look at the policy issues."

Joe Arpaio: Enthusiastically supports wall along the southern border

Arpaio's campaign manager attacked McSally's shifting support on immigration-related legislation. "It's no shock that McSally has been changing positions on key policy issues since she decided to run for higher office," he said in a written statement. "But for her to flip-flop so late in the game is just embarrassing."

Kelli Ward: Consistent pro-border, pro-law message

Ward's lead strategist said McSally's move illustrates what he describes as a political "identity crisis" that has plagued her since she launched her campaign."She has to run on her record and she's never gone through the ringer statewide like she is now," he told The Arizona Republic. "Unfortunately for her, I think she's being exposed." He said Ward will continue to press her consistent "pro-border, pro-law" message, one he says will play well with voters over a candidate who "seems to sway on the issues when it's to their political" benefit.

Kyrsten Sinema: Support Recognizing America's Children Act (GOP compromise)

Her staff said McSally "wanted to clarify" that she now wants another bill, called the Securing America's Future Act. That bill, which would do away with the diversity visa program and impose tougher border enforcement provisions, has 95 co-sponsors, all of whom are Republicans. It would grant "contingent nonimmigrant status" to those brought to the U.S. as children if they meet certain conditions rather than citizenship. [Rep. Kyrsten Sinema does not co-sponsor the Securing America's Future Act].

Martha McSally: Reduce legal immigration; no pathway to citizenship

McSally instead is backing a bill that calls for allowing undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children to apply for "contingent non-immigrant status," rather than giving them a shot at becoming legal permanent residents and eventually full US citizens.

McSally asked the House of Representatives for unanimous consent to formally drop her co-sponsorship of a bill called the Recognizing America's Children Act. McSally now wants another bill, called the Securing America's Future Act. That bill, which would do away with the diversity visa program and impose tougher border enforcement provisions. It would grant "contingent nonimmigrant status" to those brought to the U.S. as children if they meet certain conditions rather than citizenship.

Deedra Abboud: Pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens

A: Support

Doug Marks: DREAMers are victims, not criminals

A: Open, Dreamers are victims not criminals

Deedra Abboud: Rejects governments heartless immigration tactics

Joe Arpaio: Traffic stops ok based on ethnicity, to find illegals

Deedra Abboud: Protect immigrants through commonsense government reform

Arizona's history is rich with contributions from generations of immigrants who have long made Arizona their home. A legal means must be provided to recognize people brought to this country as children are not criminals and see themselves as Americans. We should develop a pathway to legal status, at a minimum for those without criminal convictions, so people living in our state are no longer hiding in the shadows.