Business Insider GOP primary debate: on Immigration

Joe Walsh: Securing borders isn't just a scare tactic if you live there

Gov. Bill Weld: The whole thing is a scare tactic by President Trump, in order to stir up the pot and have people hating.

Walsh: The Governor's right: For Trump it is just a scare tactic. But for the American people it's a real issue. People are in this country illegally, and what do we do about it? Are we a sovereign nation? Are we going to defend our borders? It's a real issue, not a scare tactic to a lot of Americans. When it comes to people coming here legally--the more the merrier. And it doesn't matter what your color is, it doesn't matter what your creed is, it doesn't matter what country you come from. None of that matters. We welcome you, if you want freedom and opportunity. When it comes to people who come here illegally, that's another issue where Republicans and Democrats have to find a solution. Live on the border for a month: it's a real issue that impacts Americans. Neither party is prepared to talk about it.

Joe Walsh: End policy of family separation at the southern border

On immigration:
• Walsh has long said that immigration is a key issue that he and his listeners care about. Speaking to PBS Newshour's Judy Woodruff in August, Walsh said he would end the Trump administration policy of separating migrant children from their families at the southern border.
• Walsh also said he would be "tougher" on people who try to illegally enter the US, but added that he would allocate more resources toward dealing with asylum cases because those represent legal border crossings. "It's our responsibility to hear those claims," he said.