State of Rhode Island secondary Archives: on Immigration

Allan Fung: Federal authorities notified on illegal immigrants releases

Mayor Fung is promising to notify the federal government when immigrants in the country illegally are detained by police in his city, unlike other mayors. Fung said he signed an agreement this week as a way to ensure that criminals in the country illegally cannot continue to commit crimes in Cranston. The federal government is requiring cities receiving public safety grants to notify federal agents when immigrants in the country illegally are being released from police detention. Source: Washington Times on 2018 Rhode Island gubernatorial race Aug 10, 2018

Allen Waters: A foe of illegal immigration and of sanctuary cities

To begin with, Waters bills himself as a "moderate" with "mainstream American values." He tells me he is "not a socialist" and he is a supporter of "free enterprise, individual liberty, and personal responsibility." Waters is a foe of illegal immigration and of sanctuary cities and is a supporter of law enforcement and the Second Amendment. He is also pro-Israel. Source: WBSM-1420-AM News on 2020 Rhode Island Senate race Jun 5, 2020

Bobby Nardolillo: Get tough on illegal immigrants

Nardolillo has pushed bills to screen undocumented immigrants out of the Rhode Island workforce by requiring private-sector employers to use the E-Verify system. Another Nardolillo bill urges Congress to allow states to require proof of citizenship for voting. He is concerned about costs and a perceived need to level the "playing field" between businesses that follow the rules and those that gain an advantage by hiring workers--who can't complain--for less money. Source: Providence Journal on 2018 Rhode Island Senate race May 15, 2017

Dan McKee: In-state college tuition regardless of immigration status

McKee signed the Student Success Act which grants in-state college tuition rates to all Rhode Islanders, regardless of immigration status. "No matter your immigration status, you are a Rhode Islander, you are valued, and your education and future matter to us, not only for you, but also for the state of Rhode Island," he said. "Our children are quite literally the future, and the success of our economy, our workforce, and our state depends on them." Source: WPRI CBS-TV-12 on 2022 Rhode Island Gubernatorial race Jul 6, 2021

Gina Raimondo: Opposes deporting DREAMers

When politicians in Washington took aim at our Dreamers we stood with them because in Rhode Island we don't just tolerate diversity; we celebrate it. Source: 2018 Rhode Island State of the State address Jan 16, 2018

Gina Raimondo: Driver's licenses for DREAMers, pathway for citizenship

Raimondo signed legislation giving all children of illegal immigrants the right to obtain driver's licenses once they've reached 16 years old. Her stance on the licenses, she said, is evocative of a broader willingness to take a stand against the Trump administration's immigration policymaking that she says is immoral and inhumane. Raimondo said the government must provide a pathway to citizenship for people whose parents brought them into the country when they were children. Source: Providence Journal on 2022 Rhode Island Gubernatorial race Jun 19, 2018

Gina Raimondo: COVID: Get tested; no immigration officials at testing sites

[On COVID]: "I want to speak directly to Rhode Island's immigrant community. We want you to be safe and we want you to come forward, get tested and get healthcare," said Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo during her daily press briefing. "None of the information that we take from you will ever get into the hands of an immigration authority. There are no immigration officials at any of these testing sites, even though they look official and there are people in uniforms." Source: Uprise RI on 2022 Rhode Island Gubernatorial race Apr 7, 2020

Mark Zaccaria: Protect the borders; prevent illegal entry

Question topic: Government should enforce laws designed to protect the border and to prevent illegal entry of persons into the country.

Zaccaria: Strongly Agree

Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Rhode Island Senate race Sep 30, 2014

Matt Brown: Provide drivers' licenses to undocumented Rhode Islanders

End family separations and provide drivers' licenses to undocumented Rhode Islanders
Expand paid sick leave

[Brown heads this RI coalition]. Source: GoLocalProv.com on 2022 Rhode Island Gubernatorial race Sep 22, 2021

Allen Waters: Protect our national sovereignty: no "Open Borders"

A primary role of our federal government is to protect the American people from both foreign and domestic threats. The effectively "Open Borders" policy of the Biden Administration has put our nation at great risk and cost. We must protect our national sovereignty. We must fully fund and support our United States Border Patrol; nationally manhunt foreign spies, terrorists, operatives and criminal illegal alien miscreants, and deport them; and reform our immigration laws that better supports lawful, orderly, less complicated, and less expensive entry for people who respect America and want to make a positive difference as a guest, a resident, and as a new productive American citizen. Source: Candidate Connection on 2024 Rhode Island Senate race Aug 8, 2024

Patricia Morgan: Close the border; finish the wall; keep "remain in Mexico"

Finish the wall. The $11 billion one-time cost is a fraction of what taxpayers are now spending annually.
Demand that laws already on the books are enforced.
Reinstate the Remain in Mexico policy.
Use our trade leverage to secure the cooperation of our neighboring countries to stop the flow of illegal aliens to our border.

Source: 2024 Rhode Island Senate campaign website PatriciaMorgan.com Oct 8, 2024

Helena Foulkes: Criticized Trump for terrorizing immigrant communities

Foulkes also called out the "reckless, illegal and irresponsible policies of the Trump administration." Specifically, she mentioned "terrorizing" immigrant communities, carrying out cuts to food assistance, cuts to Medicaid and "tax breaks for billionaires."

"I am ready to lead the fight," she said.

Source: Warwick Beacon on 2026 Rhode Island Gubernatorial race Sep 10, 2025

Aaron Guckian: Get felons out but no arrests at green card interviews

As for the ICE immigration arrests making headlines across the country and in Rhode Island, he said he would draw the line at nabbing people at their "green card" interviews, but "I would think it is very important that we work with our police and federal officials to try to get felons out." Source: Providence Journal on 2026 Rhode Island Gubernatorial race Feb 24, 2026

Connor Burbridge: Make it easy for already working here to become citizens

We believe in making it easy for people who are already working in this country to become citizens, especially those who have been working here for years. There are a lot of working-class people, of all different races, who believe that immigrants are driving down our wages. They've bought into this narrative from the right, so part of fighting back is pointing out that it's not the immigrants who are driving down your wages, it's the billionaires and the big corporations. Source: Substack.com on 2026 Rhode Island Senate race Apr 11, 2026

Raymond McKay: Responsible immigration policies consider Americans First

For decades, both parties have had opportunities to address the complex issues surrounding legal immigration and illegal entry into the United States of America and have failed. Ray is committed to addressing responsible immigration and enforcement policies that consider the best interest of Rhode Islanders and Americans First. This action leads us in the Right Direction. Source: 2026 Rhode Island Gubernatorial website McKayForUSSenate.com Sep 9, 2026

The above quotations are from State of Rhode Island Politicians: secondary Archives. Click here for definitions & background information on Immigration. Click here for other issues (main summary page).
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