State of Mississippi Archives: on Immigration

Cindy Hyde-Smith: No to DACA, breaking immigration laws has consequences

Cindy Hyde-Smith: No. Regarding DACA, says, "there must be consequences for breaking our immigration laws." Supports Trump's plans to build a wall on southwestern border and to increase funding to enforce U.S. immigration laws.

Mike Espy: Yes. Says they should be allowed to stay in the country "because it is the only place they've ever known." Border wall cost can't be justified.

Mike Espy: DACA recipients should be allowed to stay in US

Mike Espy: Yes. Says they should be allowed to stay in the country "because it is the only place they've ever known." Border wall cost can't be justified. Supports "secure border and enforced immigration laws that are fairly applied."

Cindy Hyde-Smith: No. Regarding DACA, says, "there must be consequences for breaking our immigration laws." Supports Trump's plans to build a wall on southwestern border.

Robert Foster: Liberal governors ignore federal immigration law

Bill Waller: National Guard is reasonable for border security

But he did agree "we have a border security issue that is more than just illegal aliens," he said, referring to illegal drugs and sex trafficking and the fact the courts are "filled with cases involving crystal meth, much of which comes from Mexico."

When asked whether he would send National Guard members from Mississippi for a year of duty supplementing border patrols, Waller said he likely would, regardless of who was in the White House.

"That is one of the missions of the National Guard. If there was a reasonable basis for the President's request, I probably would send them," he acknowledged.

Robert Foster: No sanctuary: report illegal criminals

David Baria: Path to citizenship for DREAMers; earned path for others

David Baria (D): Yes. DACA kids have met the requirements we asked; are in school or working; are paying taxes. Supports practical border security & earned path as part of comprehensive reform.

Roger Wicker (R): No. Filed amendment barring the use of federal funds to administer DACA. Voted against immigration reform bills that included earned path to citizenship. Opposes amnesty.

Roger Wicker: De-fund DREAMer programs; oppose path for citizenship

David Baria (D): Yes. DACA kids have met the requirements we asked. Supports earned path as part of comprehensive reform.

Roger Wicker (R): No. Filed amendment barring the use of federal funds to administer DACA. Voted against immigration reform bills that included earned path to citizenship. Opposes amnesty.

David Baria: Against President Trump's immigration policies

Jim Hood: Stay out of DACA fights; it's a federal issue

The state AGs say the decision violates the due process rights of people participating in the program, which allows immigrants whose parents brought them to the US without authorization to remain in the country.

Attorney General Jim Hood said, "Immigration's really a federal issue and normally I don't get involved unless it affects a Mississippi law," Hood told reporters.

In 2012, Hood also declined to participate in lawsuit brought by immigration agents against the Obama Administration for ending the practice of deporting undocumented young people. Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant later joined that lawsuit on his own.

Tate Reeves: Supports law enforcement inquiry into immigration status

Travis Childers: Signed anti-amnesty pledge: don't reward lawbreakers

Childers said he signed the Federation for American Immigration Reform's pledge in part because he worries about Mississippi's high unemployment rate, which he thinks would be exacerbated by allowing undocumented immigrants to work in the US: "I don't think you need to be rewarding people who break the law," said Childers. Mississippi's unemployment rate is 7.9%; only Georgia's was higher.

FAIR says 29 Senate candidates and 82 House candidates have signed the pledge, including Childers and McDaniel but not Cochran. Childers is the only Democrat to sign it.

The pledge [opposes] legislation that would allow undocumented immigrants to work legally in the US, increase the number of legal immigrants, and increase the number of guest workers admitted to the US annually. Childers said he opposes all three.

Chris McDaniel: Protect the borders; prevent illegal entry

McDaniel: Strongly Agree