State of Louisiana Archives: on Immigration
Charles Melancon:
Supports SCHIP, despite insuring illegal immigrant kids
The SCHIP bill reauthorized the State Children's Health Insurance Program for the next five years, funding it with a 62-cent federal tax on cigarettes. It removed a five-year waiting period, and loosened citizenship requirements.Melancon voted for the
measure, trying to debunk claims by opponents that it would amount to government-run insurance, health care for illegal immigrants or coverage for high-income families. "Making sure children have health insurance is not only the right thing to do, it's
also much more cost-effective for taxpayers than leaving them uninsured and using the emergency room as a primary-care provider," Melancon said.
Vitter opposed the bill, saying it was disproportionately skewed toward states such as New
York, which has higher incomes for eligibility than Louisiana, he said. In New York, the program's cutoff for a family of four is $88,200. Louisiana taxpayers shouldn't subsidize those states, Vitter said. "It just makes no sense to me," he said.
Source: Baton Rouge Advocate on of 2010 Louisiana Senate debate
Oct 18, 2010
Charles Melancon:
I have been a staunch hawk on immigration
When asked whether he would apologize for a controversial anti-immigration campaign ad that some groups found offensive, Vitter was quick to offer up an answer. "The one thing in the ad that is offensive is Melancon's votes," said Vitter, saying that
Melancon voted against laws that would clamp down on illegal immigration.But Melancon maintained he has a strong stance against illegal immigration. "I have been a staunch hawk on immigration," said Melancon.
Source: WWLTV Eyewitness coverage of 2010 Louisiana Senate debate
Oct 28, 2010
Clay Higgins:
Forgive passive visa overstays; deport aggressive illegals
Millions of illegal immigrants exist within the sovereign borders of our nation. These millions are divided into 2 basic categories: 1.Aggressive illegals and 2.Passive Illegals.A Passive Illegal immigrant is one who entered the country legally but it
has overstayed their visa. These immigrants are by and large good folk who are working and contributing to our society. They frequently have fallen prey to the very real logistical nightmare of bureaucratic paperwork. These folks can be easily
identified and they should be officially contacted and given a reasonable window to straighten out their legal status. This is not amnesty, it's common sense. But they must pay a fine. There must be a consequence for breaking the law.
On the other hand, the aggressive illegals entered our country illegally to begin with. They should be located by all available L.E. assets, identified, arrested, and deported.
Source: 2016 Louisiana House campaign website CaptainHiggins.com
Dec 10, 2016
David Vitter:
TV ad: Melancon puts out a welcome sign for illegal aliens
The Hispanic community in New Orleans says they feel humiliated when it comes to a television ad created by Senator David Vitter's campaign, which says: "Charlie Melancon, thanks to him we might as well put out a welcome sign for illegal aliens."
Many in the Hispanic community are calling it demeaning, dehumanizing, and degrading. Those in attendance are particularly angry that the Senator has targeted one group of people. ABC26 News called Vitter's campaign, but no one has responded.
Source: WGNO ABC26 News coverage of 2010 Louisiana Senate debate
Oct 18, 2010
David Vitter:
Led Senate's Border Security and Enforcement First caucus
David has led the Border Security and Enforcement First Caucus in the U.S. Senate.
He'll continue to fight for strong immigration enforcement and against the Obama Administration dumping the growing problem on Louisiana and other states.
Source: 2015 Louisiana Governor campaign website, DavidVitter.com
Aug 11, 2015
David Vitter:
Block federal funds going to sanctuary cities
As our governor, David will demand that all Louisiana law enforcement officials follow federal law and fully cooperate with immigration enforcement to identify and arrest dangerous illegal aliens.David authored legislation to block federal funds from
going to "sanctuary cities" like San Francisco that ignore federal law and refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement in identifying dangerous illegal aliens.
Source: 2015 Louisiana Governor campaign website, DavidVitter.com
Aug 11, 2015
Foster Campbell:
Grant citizenship to children of illegal immigrants
Q: Should children of illegal immigrants be granted legal citizenship? Foster Campbell: Yes
Q: Should illegal immigrants have access to government-subsidized healthcare?
Foster Campbell: Yes, and grant them citizenship
Q: Should working illegal immigrants be given temporary amnesty?
Foster Campbell: Yes, create a simple path to citizenship for immigrants with no criminal record S
Source: iSideWith.com Voter Guide on 2016 Louisiana Senate race
Oct 1, 2016
Foster Campbell:
No pathway to citizenship without exiting US first
Q:
Do you support requiring immigrants who are unlawfully present to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?
Source: VoteSmart 2016 Louisiana Senate Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2016
Garret Graves:
Protect the border and prevent illegal entry
Q: Government should enforce laws designed to protect the border and to prevent illegal entry of persons into the country?
GRAVES: Strongly Agree
Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Louisiana House race
Sep 30, 2014
Gary Chambers:
Open to abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
If he does make the runoff, Chambers, who has been labeled a "firebrand" and a "provocateur," will face accusations that he is too far out of the political mainstream. Chambers is open to abolishing U.S. Immigration and
Customs Enforcement--the federal agency that deports immigrants in the country illegally--and he led street protests against the police killings of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge and George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Source: The Times Picayune on 2022 Louisiana Senate race
Mar 1, 2021
Jay Dardenne:
Don't increase enforcement against employers of illegals
Dardenne voted Nay on SB 753, the "Hiring of Undocumented Immigrants Bill". The bill passed the Senate 26 - 9. 2006 SENATE BILL NO. 753 (Substitute of Senate Bill No. 650 by Senator Cravins):
AN ACT relative to employment of certain aliens; to prohibit the hiring of an alien who is not entitled to lawfully reside or work in the United States; to require the filing of an affidavit with a licensing agency ;
to notify the attorney general or local district attorney when an employer who operates a business in the state knowingly employ s an alien who is not
lawfully entitled to reside or work in the United States; to provide for issuing a cease and desist order; and to provide for penalties.
Source: VoteSmart voting records: 2015 Louisiana gubernatorial race
Nov 1, 2006
John Neely Kennedy:
Biden's immigration policy people are "pink-haired 'wokers'"
This year, over 2 million people will come into this country illegally. To me there are only two possible explanations. The first is incompetence. It may be that the president has put in charge of his immigration policy a bunch of pink-haired 'wokers'
who don't know their ass from their elbow. I use 'ass' in the King James Bible sense. It may be that the president's put in charge of his immigration policy people who shouldn't be allowed to think for themselves because it's too dangerous.
Source: FOX News on 2022 Louisiana Senate race
Oct 5, 2021
Mike Johnson:
Strengthen the border with drones, cameras and sensors
America is a nation of immigrants. Like a gumbo, throughout our history we have enjoyed a distinctive blend of cultures from countries around the world. However, as U.S. immigration laws have been increasingly ignored by the White House and by those
coming in from abroad, a growing crisis has developed. Our system is broken and it must be fixed. The American people deserve real solutions, NOT cheap political talk. As your Congressman, I will:-
Work to ensure our current immigration laws are once again enforced.
- Oppose any form of amnesty for those who have broken our laws.
- Support efforts to strengthen our U.S. Border Patrol, [including] additional agents and technology, such as
drones, cameras and sensors
- Cut off federal funding to "sanctuary cities."
- Support economic policies that encourage development in Latin America and benefit the U.S.
Source: 2016 House campaign website MikeJohnsonForLouisiana.com
Dec 10, 2016
Ralph Abraham:
Protect the border and prevent illegal entry
Q: Government should enforce laws designed to protect the border and to prevent illegal entry of persons into the country?
ABRAHAM: Strongly Agree
Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Louisiana House race
Sep 30, 2014
Ralph Abraham:
No amnesty; seal the borders
On immigration reform, Abraham said it was a simple decision. "No amnesty (and) seal the borders," he said. "For those illegals, 5 million-plus now, we don't know who they are, what they are or who they represent. No amnesty, seal the border."
Mayo said President Barack Obama's hands are tied. "The borders need to be fixed," he said. "If you've got a bipartisan bill that's passed, and then you want to have a party leader who will not even take it to a vote, then what else can you do?"
Source: The News-Star on 2019 Louisiana gubernatorial race
Nov 20, 2014
Rob Maness:
Send unaccompanied minors back to their country of origin
Landrieu touted her support for immigration reform, and in particular her support for relief for immigrants who were brought into the country illegally as children--known as DREAMers.
Maness said that he opposed a path to citizenship. He also said that unaccompanied child migrants who arrive at the Southern border should be sent back to their country of origin.
Source: The Hill on 2014 Louisiana Senate debate
Oct 27, 2014
Thomas Clements:
Annex Mexico economically to avoid immigration issues
Q: Do you agree or disagree with the statement, "Pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens"?
A: Fix our economy to attract the countries of Mexico and Canada--then we could without any aggression annex both countries. Expand America.
Source: Email interview on 2016 Louisiana Senate race by OnTheIssues
Jul 31, 2016
Gary Chambers:
Reform immigration and immigration policy
Gary is committed to advocating for and passing legislation for the following priorities:- Comprehensive immigration reform, if not the complete abolition of ICE.
- Comprehensive immigration policy reform.
The current immigration policy is rooted in white supremacy and there must be a catharsis of that system.
- Congressional hearings to investigate the mistreatment of Black and Latin American detainees.
Source: 2022 Senate campaign website ChambersForLouisiana.com
Oct 12, 2022
Mitch Landrieu:
Backs police policy of not questioning immigration status
At the heart of the dispute is an NOPD policy instructing officers not to ask people about their immigration status during investigations, something that Sessions contends makes New Orleans a "sanctuary city" out of compliance with federal law.
Landrieu disputes that. "As we've said before, New Orleans does now and will continue to follow federal laws, and the NOPD will continue to arrest and convict violent criminals, regardless of their immigration status," Landrieu said.
Source: The Advocate on 2023 Louisiana Gubernatorial race
Oct 18, 2017
Jeff Landry:
Biden prioritizes non-citizens over American citizens
Landry is leading a coalition of 14 states suing the Biden administration over yet another unlawful immigration rule. "Biden continues to prioritize non-citizens over American citizens he took an oath to protect," said Attorney General Landry. "He is
once again undermining the rule of law and jeopardizing the safety and security of our country. This rule will make an already porous border even easier for drugs, human traffickers, and sexual predators to cross."
Source: Minden Press-Herald on 2023 Louisiana Gubernatorial race
Apr 29, 2022
Bill Cassidy:
Our immigration system rewards those who break the law
We have a crisis on the southern border. We have an immigration system that rewards those who break the law. Securing our borders is one of the fundamental responsibilities of the federal government.
Democrats are calling for open borders and trying to abolish law enforcement agencies responsible for stopping drug cartels and human traffickers. I am working to stop the flow of drugs and secure our southern border.
Source: 2026 Louisiana Senate campaign website BillCassidy.com
Mar 20, 2025
Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026