2022 PA Senate race: on Immigration


Craig Snyder: Refugees among most loyal and contributing Americans

Accepting Afghan refugees is the latest issue dividing Pennsylvania Republicans. How the debate unfolds will help show whether the GOP continues to follow the direction of former President Trump or take another course. Some Republicans are urging President Biden to put on the brakes, arguing that the refugees can't be sufficiently vetted. Other Republicans are emphasizing the need to welcome those who risked their lives to help American troops.

"We cannot bring 30,000 unvetted Afghan refugees to the United States of America. It's an irresponsible policy and quite frankly I can't believe we even have to have this conversation," Sean Parnell told Tucker Carlson.

Craig Snyder said Parnell was "ignoring the history of how Jewish refugees from the Holocaust, Cuban refugees from Castro, Vietnamese refugees from communism," and others have "proven to be among the most loyal and contributing Americans." Snyder called Parnell's remarks "an assault on American goodness."

Source: Philadelphia Inquirer on 2022 Pennsylvania Senate race

David McCormick: Stop illegal immigration; finish building the Wall

We are not a sovereign nation without borders, and it's clear Joe Biden's open border policies have created a crisis at our southern border which has led to the rise in crime and fentanyl abuse in our commonwealth. Dave will work to stop illegal immigration and secure the border, finish building the Wall, support our dedicated customs and border patrol agents, and stop the drug trafficking and human exploitation at our border.
Source: 2022 Pennsylvania Senate campaign web DaveMcCormickPA.com May 22, 2022

Jeff Bartos: Secure the border, cut funding for sanctuary cities

We need to finish securing the border with technology and physical barriers. America's immigration system needs to be rooted in the rule of law--and that means knowing who is entering our country. Jeff will ensure sanctuary cities in Pennsylvania do not see a single tax dollar from the federal government. Sanctuary cities are proven to be deadly for law-abiding Americans and hotbeds for crime.
Source: 2022 Pennsylvania Senate campaign website JeffBartos.com Jul 19, 2021

Kathy Barnette: A merit-based immigration policy that puts Americans first

While securing our border is a critical part of immigration, our legal immigration policy is in serious need of an overhaul. America's immigration policy should focus on benefiting Americans, not multinational corporations. A merit-based immigration policy that puts Americans first will be a top priority when I get to the Senate.
Source: 2022 Pennsylvania Senate website BarnetteForSenate.com Feb 16, 2022

Mehmet Oz: We need to have a secure border with a barrier to protect us

Dr. Oz believes that one of the core responsibilities of the federal government is to protect you. In order to do that, we need to have a secure border with a barrier--whether that is a physical wall or one patrolled by technological advances.
Source: 2022 Pennsylvania Senate campaign website DoctorOz.com Dec 8, 2021

Mehmet Oz: We're subsidizing cartels involved in human trafficking

Immigration is a big problem for a couple of reasons. We're subsidizing cartels involved in human trafficking. They're bringing opiates across the border but lots of other issues as well. President Trump was right. People should wait on the Mexican side of the border to coming across illegally, let's deal with all the issues there and not put law enforcement in an impossible predicament where they are forced to chase them down when we know they're not coming back for their follow-up visits.
Source: FOX News Hannity on 2022 Pennsylvania Senate race Nov 30, 2021

Sean Parnell: 30,000 refugees from Afghanistan is irresponsible

Accepting Afghan refugees is the latest issue dividing Pennsylvania Republicans. How the debate unfolds will help show whether the GOP continues to follow the direction of former President Trump or take another course. Some Republicans are urging President Biden to put on the brakes, arguing that the refugees can't be sufficiently vetted. Other Republicans are emphasizing the need to welcome those who risked their lives to help American troops.

"We cannot bring 30,000 unvetted Afghan refugees to the United States of America. It's an irresponsible policy and quite frankly I can't believe we even have to have this conversation," Sean Parnell told Tucker Carlson.

Craig Snyder said Parnell was "ignoring the history of how Jewish refugees from the Holocaust, Cuban refugees from Castro, Vietnamese refugees from communism," and others have "proven to be among the most loyal and contributing Americans." Snyder called Parnell's remarks "an assault on American goodness."

Source: Philadelphia Inquirer on 2022 Pennsylvania Senate race

Val Arkoosh: Fair pathway to citizenship for those willing to work for it

We need Congress to act, while providing certainty for DREAMers and a fair pathway to citizenship for those willing to do the work to earn citizenship. Val supports comprehensive immigration reform which must include securing our border with smart border management and a way for migrants to apply for asylum from their home country. For those here now, Val supports a fair pathway to citizenship for anyone who is willing to work for it and meet certain requirements, including background checks.
Source: 2022 Pennsylvania Senate campaign website ValArkoosh.com Dec 19, 2021

John Fetterman: Investments toward keeping our borders strong

It is no secret our immigration system is broken. We need a system that is strong, secure, and humane. In the Senate, I would support investments that go towards keeping our borders strong and preventing the flow of illegal drugs into our country. We also must work to ensure that our immigration system is humane. I support commonsense immigration reforms that will restore our country's legacy as a nation built by immigrants. In the Senate, I will work to modernize our visa system and asylum programs so that they can't be exploited by bad actors. I will also fight for a pathway to citizenship for frontline workers, small business owners, and young people who have only known this country as their home.

We have to reject the false choice pitting laws and strong borders against those coming to America to seek a better life for themselves and their families.

Source: 2022 Pennsylvania Senate campaign website Fetterman.com Jan 1, 2024

  • The above quotations are from 2022 Pennsylvania Senate 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 Pat Toomey 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: Jun 05, 2024