2020 NM Senatorial race: on Immigration


Mark Ronchetti: Against amnesty, close the asylum loophole

We must secure our southern border through a wide variety of methods from barriers, to drones, to additional border staff. We must close the asylum-loophole that is creating a crisis at the border by encouraging migrants to come to the United States and claim asylum when they do not qualify. Mark supports legal immigration but opposes amnesty. Those seeking citizenship should do so the right way, and those who break the law shouldn't be allowed to "jump the line."
Source: 2020 New Mexico Senate campaign website MarkRonchetti.com Aug 30, 2020

Mark Ronchetti: Eliminate sanctuary city laws around the country

Mark supports measures to eliminate sanctuary city laws around the country that allow illegal immigrants who commit crimes to be released back into our communities, rather than being deported.
Source: 2020 New Mexico Senate campaign website MarkRonchetti.com Aug 30, 2020

Mark Ronchetti: Amnesty incentivizes even more illegal immigration

I oppose amnesty because it incentivizes even more illegal immigration. Decriminalizing border crossing and dangling free health care encourages well-meaning families to put their families at risk by illegally entering the country. Allow them to apply in their home country and when legally approved move to the U.S. Our borders are not secure enough and we need a barrier, more staffing or increased air patrol for a more secure border. Sanctuary cities in New Mexico exacerbate our crime problems.
Source: Albuquerque Journal on 2020 New Mexico Senate race Aug 26, 2020

Ben Ray Lujan: Comprehensive immigration reform must be fair and just

Our immigration policies must be crafted with compassion, commonsense, and a sense of reality.

I have long-championed comprehensive immigration reform and have used my position as the highest-ranking Hispanic in Congress to give voice to the urgent need to address our broken immigration laws. Our immigration system must be fair and just, encourage legal immigration, and welcoming toward those of all backgrounds, religions, and races.

Source: 2020 New Mexico Senate campaign website BenRayLujan .com Jul 8, 2020

Ben Ray Lujan: Pathway to citizenship for DREAMers

I was proud to support the American Dream and Promise Act to provide security and a pathway to citizenship for DREAMers--the young individuals who are American in every way but on paper. We should advance policies that welcome DREAMers, TPS [Temporary Protected Status] recipients, migrants, and refugees because we know that our country is made better because of its diversity.
Source: 2020 New Mexico Senate campaign website BenRayLujan .com Jul 8, 2020

Gavin Clarkson: End birthright citizenship; oppose amnesty

My wife waited 14 years to become a citizen. Our immigration system is fundamentally broken. We must end birthright citizenship, visa lottery and chain migration. I oppose amnesty. Once the border is secure, I might consider a path to residency and possibly a path to citizenship for military veterans brought here illegally as children.

Our border is not secure. I support not just the wall, but a high-tech wall with monitoring equipment including motion detectors, infrared, and ground penetrating radar, all of which will need to be connected by high-speed optic fiber lines to command stations. Such infrastructure would also contribute to economic development.

Source: Albuquerque Journal on 2020 New Mexico Senate race Jun 14, 2020

Mark Ronchetti: Opposes illegal immigration and sanctuary cities

I oppose amnesty. Decriminalizing border crossing and dangling free health care encourages well-meaning families to put their families at risk by illegally entering the country. Allow them to apply in their home country and when legally approved move to the US. Our borders are not secure. We need a barrier and more border patrol officers. Abolishing ICE is a terrible idea. New Mexico is a drug superhighway into the US, which brings crime--exacerbated by sanctuary city policies.
Source: Albuquerque Journal on 2020 New Mexico Senate race Jan 7, 2020

Maggie Toulouse Oliver: Border policy should treat people like humans

The secretary of state said she would campaign on the creation of a national health insurance plan, colloquially known as "Medicare for all." Toulouse Oliver also said she would support what she described as policy on the border that "treats people like humans."
Source: Santa Fe New Mexican on 2020 New Mexico Senate race Apr 24, 2019

Gavin Clarkson: Oppose amnesty and path to citizenship, with exceptions

Q: Please give your position on DACA.

A: I do not support a path to citizenship, except for those who choose to honorably serve in the military. President Trump offered residency for all 1.8 million who qualify, not just the roughly 800,000 who applied, but Democrats are refusing to surrender the issue as a political wedge.

Q: Do you favor amnesty, a path to citizenship or worker permits for most or all of the people now living illegally in the U.S.? Who do you think should be deported?

A: Deportation should be for those here illegally who have committed additional crimes. I oppose amnesty. I believe in the rule of law and fairness for legal immigrants who followed the rules. I am willing to consider a path to residency for those who will not burden our social welfare systems.

Source: Ballotpedia.org Connection: 2020 New Mexico Senate race Nov 1, 2018

Gavin Clarkson: I support not just the wall, but a high-tech wall

Q: Do you believe the borders are secure enough? If not, what do you propose should be done to increase their security? Do you support Trump's proposal to build a $25 billion wall?

A: I support not just the wall, but a high-tech wall, which will promote economic development in southern New Mexico. The wall needs high-tech monitoring equipment like motion detectors, infrared, and ground penetrating radar, all of which will need to be monitored at command stations linked by high-speed optic fiber lines.

Q: What's your position on skills-based immigration vs. family-based?

A: I would end chain-migration and the visa lottery. Merit-based work permits give folks everything they might want economically, except for the one thing that Democrats really seem to care about, which is naturalizing new voters.

Source: Ballotpedia.org Connection: 2020 New Mexico Senate race Nov 1, 2018

  • The above quotations are from 2020 New Mexico Senatorial race: debates and news coverage.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Immigration.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
  • Click here for more quotes by New Mexico on Immigration.
  • Click here for more quotes by Tom Udall on Immigration.
Candidates and political leaders on Immigration:

Democrats running for President:
Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO)
V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE)
Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC)
Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT)
Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN)
Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX)
Rep.John Delaney (D-MD)
Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI)
Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Mayor Wayne Messam (D-FL)
Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA)
Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Marianne Williamson (D-CA)
CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY)

2020 Third Party Candidates:
Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI)
CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Howie Hawkins (G-NY)
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Howard Schultz(I-WA)
Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN) 		Republicans running for President:
Sen.Ted Cruz(R-TX)
Gov.Larry Hogan (R-MD)
Gov.John Kasich(R-OH)
V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
Gov.Mark Sanford (R-SC)
Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY)
Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL)
Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY)

2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:
Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA)
Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC)
Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK)
Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
Gov.Jay Inslee (D-WA)
Rep.Seth Moulton (D-MA)
Rep.Beto O`Rourke (D-TX)
Rep.Tim Ryan (D-CA)
Adm.Joe Sestak (D-PA)
Rep.Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
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Page last updated: Dec 27, 2020