State of Ohio Archives: on Immigration


Bernie Moreno: Illegal immigrants haven't earned honor of citizenship

Our border is out of control. A nation without borders is not a nation. If you don't respect American laws enough to enter legally, you haven't earned the honor of citizenship.
Source: 2021 Ohio Senate campaign website BernieMoreno.com Apr 19, 2021

Bernie Moreno: My parents came here legally to escape socialism

He compared New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders to "radicals like Fidel Castro and Che Guevara," and said he plans to protect the U.S. from the socialist left. The topic he focused on most was immigration, telling the story of how his family came to the U.S. from Columbia as a child to escape socialism. "This is personal to me. My parents came here legally, because they wanted us to see that in America, we can accomplish anything," Moreno said.
Source: Spectrum News 1 on 2022 Ohio Senate race Apr 6, 2021

Bernie Moreno: I support building a wall on Southern border

I believe in an immigration system that supports the rule of law. And that is why I support reforming our immigration laws to make it harder for people to enter this country illegally. I support building a wall along our Southern border. I support eliminating taxpayer-funded benefits that serve as a magnet for illegal immigrants and hurt American taxpayers and workers, including right here in Ohio.
Source: 2022 Ohio Senate campaign website BernieMoreno.com Dec 24, 2021

Jane Timken: Oppose open borders, amnesty for illegal immigrants

Joe Biden and his Socialist allies in Congress are targeting all the progress we made with Donald Trump as our President. Rolling back tough-on-China policies, flinging open our borders with amnesty for twelve million illegal immigrants, and decimating American energy jobs are just a few of the policies threatening the progress we have made and our Ohio values. As a U.S. Senator, Jane will be a champion for all Ohioans--protecting our way of life, protecting our jobs, and protecting families.
Source: 2021 Ohio Senate campaign website JaneTimkenForOhio.com Apr 19, 2021

Jane Timken: AdWatch: Opposes amnesty to 12 million illegal immigrants

A GOP Senate candidate in Ohio released a campaign ad attacking President Biden's approach to the southern border, accusing him of caring more about illegal immigrants than struggling Americans.

Jane Timken is vowing to "be tough on illegal immigration."

"During the pandemic, Ohio's small businesses and families struggled to survive," Ms. Timken says in the ad. "What was Joe Biden's first legislative proposal--a liberal plan to give amnesty to 12 million illegal immigrants."

Source: Washington Times AdWatch on 2022 Ohio Senate race Mar 23, 2021

JD Vance: Those who complain about southern border get called racist

If you think about the entire trajectory of American life over the last 30 to 40 years, you have elites and the ruling class that have plundered this country, have made it harder for middle class Americans to live a normal life. When those Americans dare to complain about the conditions of their own country, if they dare to complain about the southern border, or about jobs getting shipped overseas, what do they get called? They get called racist. They get called bigots, xenophobes, or idiots.
Source: Fox News on 2022 Ohio Senate race Jul 2, 2021

Jim Renacci: Supports border wall for Mexico plus temporary travel ban

Renacci, who strongly backed Republican Donald Trump for president last year, is serving his fourth term in Congress. Before entering politics, though, he owned nursing homes and other business ventures over three decades. "I was a business guy for 30 years, someone who created jobs and employed people. I want to use that background and experience. I do believe Donald Trump said the same thing. I supported Donald Trump because I believe the day of the career politicians, especially in D.C. but also here in Ohio, needs to change," Renacci said.

Renacci opposes abortion, capital punishment and gay marriage but supports Trump's proposals to build a wall on the border with Mexico, impose a temporary travel ban and repeal and replace ObamaCare.

Source: Dayton Daily News on 2018 Ohio gubernatorial race Feb 4, 2017

Jim Renacci: No pathway to citizenship; yes official English

Q: Do you support a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants?

A: No.

Q: Do you support decreasing the number of legal immigrants allowed into the country?

A: No.

Q: Do you support establishing English as the official national language?

A: Yes.

Q: Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police?

A: Yes.

Source: Ohio Congressional 2010 National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 2010

Jim Renacci: Overturn DACA program: no legal status for DREAMers

Q: Support DACA, allowing "Dreamers" who arrived illegally as children, then grew up in the US, to achieve legal status if meet certain conditions?

Sherrod Brown (D): Yes. "We should not be targeting young people who are working, going to school, paying taxes & contributing to this country."

Jim Renacci (R): No. Voted in 2013 to overturn DACA program interim protection of Dreamers. Now supports Trump's approach-tying potential legalization to cuts in legal immigration & funding for border wall.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Ohio Senate race Oct 9, 2018

Josh Mandel: We need a fighter who will fight to build the wall

Motivated by the Democrats' sham impeachment of President Trump, Josh Mandel announces for the United States Senate. Watching this sham and unconstitutional impeachment has made my blood boil and motivated me to run for U.S. Senate. It's sickening to see radical liberals and fake Republicans in Washington engage in this second assault on President Donald Trump and the millions of us who supported him."

"I've heard loud and clear from my fellow Ohioans that we need a warrior that won't quiver in their boots when it comes to standing up for conservative values. We need a fighter in the Senate who will fight to build the wall, combat China's economic cheating and advance conservative policies that gave us the greatest economy in American history. We need to keep our foot on the gas and build off the momentum of the Trump presidency."

Source: 2022 Ohio Senate campaign website JoshMandel.com Feb 10, 2021

Josh Mandel: Ban sanctuary cities; jail mayors who try to establish them

Just a few days after President Trump was inaugurated, Senate candidate Josh Mandel, 40, proposed a bill that would ban Ohio's cities from providing sanctuary and send their mayors to prison for doing so, to boot. "Over our dead body will Cincinnati become a sanctuary city," Mandel said when announcing the proposal that would threaten Cincinnati's mayor with jail time as punishment for making Cincinnati "less safe against radical Islam."
Source: Cleveland Plain-Dealer on 2022 Ohio Senate race Nov 20, 2017

Josh Mandel: Suspended by Twitter for poll on crimes by "illegals"

Twitter temporarily restricted Mandel's account for violating the social media platform's rules on "hateful conduct." Mandel's account created a poll about which type of "illegals" would commit more crimes, "Muslim Terrorists" or "Mexican Gangbangers." His campaign later shared that the account was temporarily suspended for 12 hours for violating Twitter's policies on "hateful conduct."
Source: The Cincinnati Enquirer on 2022 Ohio Senate race Mar 18, 2021

Josh Mandel: We need a fighter who will fight to build the wall

I've heard loud and clear from my fellow Ohioans that we need a warrior that won't quiver in their boots when it comes to standing up for conservative values. We need a fighter in the Senate who will fight to build the wall, combat China's economic cheating and advance conservative policies that gave us the greatest economy in American history. We need to keep our foot on the gas and build off the momentum of the Trump presidency.
Source: 2021 Ohio Senate campaign website JoshMandel.com Feb 10, 2021

Josh Mandel: Ban sanctuary cities, jail mayors who try to establish them

Just a few days after President Trump was inaugurated, Senate candidate Josh Mandel, 40, proposed a bill that would ban Ohio's cities from providing sanctuary and send their mayors to prison for doing so, to boot. "Over our dead body will Cincinnati become a sanctuary city," Mandel said when announcing the proposal that would threaten Cincinnati's mayor with jail time as punishment for making Cincinnati "less safe against radical Islam."
Source: The Cleveland Plain-Dealer on 2022 Ohio Senate race Nov 20, 2017

Mike DeWine: Supports DREAMers; but let President decide

Q: Support DREAM Act (DACA), allowing "Dreamers" who grew up in US after arriving illegally as children, to achieve legal status?

Richard Cordray (D): Yes. Embrace DACA recipients & create "pathways to citizenship for all immigrants who love & respect

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Ohio Governor race Oct 9, 2018

Mike Gibbons: We must control our borders

We're a nation of immigrants, but unchecked illegal immigration is out of control. We simply can't have millions of people flooding to the country, working for lower wages off the books but still qualifying for taxpayer-funded government programs. It's not fair to the people who are competing for those jobs, paying their taxes, and following the law. We need to demand that new Americans follow our laws, starting with the laws that control our borders.
Source: 2018 Ohio Senatorial website GibbonsForOhio.com Oct 15, 2017

Mike Gibbons: Opposes pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens"?

A: Strongly oppose

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Ohio Senate candidate Apr 24, 2018

Nan Whaley: Future economic growth depends on attracting new immigrants

No matter what you look like, who you love, or where you come from, you are welcome in Dayton. Nan knows that future economic growth in Dayton will depend on attracting new immigrants, so she has focused on making the city a place that welcomes all new Americans who want to build their lives in our community.
Source: 2022 Ohio Governor campaign website NanWhaleyForOhio.com Apr 6, 2021

P.G. Sittenfeld: Common-sense pathway to citizenship but not amnesty

Rob Portman does a good job of coming off as moderate. But his actual voting record tells something of a different story. An issue where Rob Portman is not the moderate that his image would project is on immigration reform. We saw 68 Senators pass what seemed like a pretty common-sense bipartisan effort toward immigration reform: there was a pathway to citizenship but not amnesty; it was "get in the back of the line; you still have to pay a fine;" and additional border agents. Not a lot of major legislation in the Senate gets 68 votes. Rob Portman ended up not voting for that. Rob Portman is so different stylistically than someone like Ted Cruz -- but he votes a lot like Ted Cruz! And I think that's out of step with the people of Ohio.
Source: OTI transcript of Cincinnati Enquirer: 2016 Ohio Senate race May 12, 2015

Richard Cordray: Pathways to citizenship for all immigrants who love America

Q: Support DREAM Act (DACA), allowing "Dreamers" who grew up in US after arriving illegally as children, to achieve legal status?

Richard Cordray (D): Yes. Embrace DACA recipients & create "pathways to citizenship for all immigrants who love & respect

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Ohio Governor race Oct 9, 2018

Sherrod Brown: Support DACA program: legal status for DREAMers

Q: Support DACA, allowing "Dreamers" who arrived illegally as children, then grew up in the US, to achieve legal status if meet certain conditions?

Sherrod Brown (D): Yes. "We should not be targeting young people who are working, going to school, paying taxes & contributing to this country."

Jim Renacci (R): No. Voted in 2013 to overturn DACA program interim protection of Dreamers. Now supports Trump's approach-tying potential legalization to cuts in legal immigration & funding for border wall.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Ohio Senate race Oct 9, 2018

Ted Strickland: Fix broken system with comprehensive immigration reform

Q: What is your position on U.S. immigration policies, and how will you work to promote your position?

Ted Strickland: I support comprehensive immigration reform to fix our current broken system. We need to protect our homeland, secure the border, protect and unite families, create an earned path to citizenship, and promote our economic interests. Our system should be tough, fair, and practical. But I believe proposals to round up and deport 11 million individuals defy common sense. Reforms should keep families together, not just because it's the right thing to do, but because families are the bedrock of economic growth and civic engagement in Ohio and across this country. Unfortunately, Senator Portman voted against bipartisan, comprehensive immigration reform--a bill that was even supported by Republicans like Senators McCain and Rubio.

Source: Vote411.org League of Women Voters on 2016 Ohio Senate Race Sep 19, 2016

Warren Davidson: Securing our borders is a top national security issue

Q: Are you in favor of construction of a wall and other necessary infrastructure on our border that gives complete control over entering and exiting the United States?

Davidson: While I do not favor building a physical wall, securing our borders is a top national security issue. We already have a legal immigration processes--legal paths to citizenship and legal paths for guests (tourists, students and workers). We should improve them for talented people whose skills are in demand, and not ahead of those who have already shown contempt for our laws and our culture. I favor an end to birthright citizenship, defunding sanctuary cities and limiting all legal transactions (banking, education, etc.) to those who are here legally.

Source: 2016 AFA Action iVoterGuide on Ohio House race Nov 8, 2016

ACLU: OpEd: Great Replacement is new version of old conspiracy

Vivek Ramaswamy said in the 4th GOP debate, "The Great Replacement Theory is not some grand right-wing conspiracy theory, but a basic statement of the Democratic Party's platform." What is that about?

ACLU Analysis 6/21/22: The Great Replacement conspiracy is a relatively new version of a conspiracy that has roots going back to the founding of America. In a nutshell, this conspiracy states that immigration policies, particularly those impacting non-white, non-European immigrants, are designed to increase the non-white, non-European population in an effort to undermine (or replace) the political and cultural power of America’s white majority. Unfortunately, xenophobic political parties are nothing new in the United States. The rhetoric commonly used by Great Replacement supporters centers on defending America from an "invasion" of immigrants looking to "take over." 

Source: ACLU Ohio on NewsNation 2023 Republican debate Jun 21, 2022

ACLU: Great Replacement is dangerous new version of old conspiracy

2024 Presidential Candidate Vivek Ramaswamy said in the Tuscaloosa GOP debate, "The Great Replacement Theory is not some grand right-wing conspiracy theory, but a basic statement of the Democratic Party's platform." What is that about?

ACLU Analysis 6/21/22: The Great Replacement conspiracy is a relatively new version of a conspiracy that has roots going back to the founding of America. In a nutshell, this conspiracy states that immigration policies, particularly those impacting non-white, non-European immigrants, are designed to increase the non-white, non-European population in an effort to undermine (or replace) the political and cultural power of America’s white majority. Unfortunately, xenophobic political parties are nothing new in the United States. The rhetoric commonly used by Great Replacement supporters centers on defending America from an "invasion" of immigrants looking to "take over." 

Source: ACLU Ohio on NewsNation 2023 Republican debate Jun 21, 2022

Bernie Moreno: Deport those who illegally invaded our border

Source: Guides.vote candidate survey on 2024 Ohio Senate race Aug 8, 2024

Sherrod Brown: Resources for Border Patrol agents; expedite asylum process

Source: Guides.vote candidate survey on 2024 Ohio Senate race Aug 8, 2024

Matt Dolan: I will never support amnesty; fight to secure the border

Right now, we have the Ohio National Guard and even state law enforcement supporting border states to stop the illegal flow of migrants and drugs into our country. Strengthening border security is paramount to maintaining national sovereignty and keeping communities here in Ohio safe. I will never support amnesty. I will fight to secure the border with walls, surveillance, virtual capabilities and personnel. I will stand for the Rule of Law.
Source: 2021 OH Senate campaign website DolanForOhio.com Sep 21, 2021

Frank LaRose: I saw firsthand the invasion at our southern border

Q: IMMIGRATION: The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.

A: Strongly Agree. During my Army deployment to the U.S.-Mexico border as a part of a counter-narcotics task force, I saw firsthand the invasion at our southern border. We must first work to stop the invasion by building a wall, utilizing modern surveillance methods, and eliminating the cartels with any means necessary.

Q: Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?

A: Once we secure the border, we must deport the Biden surge of illegals and use that as a case study to deal with the rest of the illegal immigrants. We are a nation of immigrants and there should be a merit-based system that allows in those we know and trust but there must be a zero-tolerance policy for those who break the law by coming here illegally and absolutely no amnesty.

Source: AFA iVoterGuide on 2024 Ohio Senate race Mar 19, 2024

Matt Dolan: First, fix porous borders with surveillance and personnel

Q: IMMIGRATION: The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.

A: Strongly Agree

Q: State and federal funds shall be denied to any public or private entity, such as a sanctuary city, that is not in compliance with immigration laws.

A: Disagree

Q: Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?

A: First and foremost, at the present moment we have a migration and security crisis at our Southern Border. Before we legislate who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S., we must first fix our porous borders with increased surveillance and virtual capabilities, walls and personnel support of our immigration officers. People should only be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. if they do so legally and follow the laws of our country.

Source: AFA iVoterGuide on 2022 Ohio Senate race May 3, 2022

Amy Acton: A perfect example of an issue where we haven't got it right

Acton discussed President Donald Trump's aggressive approach to immigration and whether she feels it is the right move. "This is a perfect example of an issue where we haven't got it right," Acton said. "Both sides didn't get immigration policy right for a while. You know, our courts are backed up. There's so much to look at here." Acton said she wants violent offenders off the streets, but she is also concerned about people not being treated like human beings.
Source: WLWT's Mike Dardis on 2026 Ohio Gubernatorial race Dec 17, 2025

Jon Husted: Find a compromise; deport lawbreakers; find a legal pathway

[On immigrants]: "We're going to have to find a compromise. We secure the border, we deport people who are not following the laws and came here illegally, but also finding pathways for a more fluid path for our immigration system to work so that people that want to come here--and they want to do it legally, they want to follow the law, they want to contribute to our society--can both work here and have a pathway to citizenship. It is complicated to get everybody on the same page."
Source: Akron Beacon Journal on 2026 Ohio Senate race Aug 14, 2025

  • The above quotations are from State of Ohio Politicians: Archives.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Immigration.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
2024 Presidential contenders on Immigration:
  Candidates for President & Vice-President:
V.P.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.(I-CA)
Chase Oliver(L-GA)
Dr.Jill Stein(D-MA)
Former Pres.Donald Trump(R-FL)
Sen.J.D.Vance(R-OH)
Gov.Tim Walz(D-MN)
Dr.Cornel West(I-NJ)

2024 presidential primary contenders:
Pres.Joe_Biden(D-DE)
N.D.Gov.Doug Burgum(R)
N.J.Gov.Chris_Christie(R)
Fla.Gov.Ron_DeSantis(R)
S.C.Gov.Nikki_Haley(R)
Ark.Gov.Asa_Hutchinson(R)
Former V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
U.S.Rep.Dean_Phillips(D-MN)
Vivek_Ramaswamy(R-OH)
S.C.Sen.Tim_Scott(R)
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Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026