Tim Walz on Immigration

	Tim Walz on Immigration Democrat

Driver's licenses for undocumented, live with dignity

Now, I'm only the Governor of this great state, and it's not up to me how folks in places like Florida go about their business. But I have to tell you, I'm pretty glad we do things our way and not their way. They look at their most vulnerable people and they see scapegoats. We look at our most vulnerable people and we see neighbors. And that's why we're giving undocumented Minnesotans the opportunity to get a driver's license and live their lives with dignity. Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Minnesota legislature , Apr 19, 2023

Give DREAMers a path to citizenship

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

Jeff Johnson (R): Unknown.

Tim Walz (D): Yes. Sees a need to address DACA & protect Dreamers. Wants to provide them with a path t

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

Helped resettle countless immigrants into this community

Q: If elected governor, what will you do to fight the scapegoating and demonization and persecution of immigrants and refugees?

Walz: Talking about his first campaign where Rep. Steve King from Iowa campaigned against him, Walz said, "Two days after I was elected, I was in the church with Fr. Brixius in Worthington in the basement after the ICE raid there. Over the years, my office has helped resettle countless people into this community."

Source: Post-Bulletin on 2018 Minnesota governor debate , Oct 25, 2017

Supports path to citizenship for undocumented workers

Tim Walz believes immigration reform is a serious issue that deserves an ethical, economically sound solution. Walz supports enforcing employer labor laws to the fullest extent, using advanced technology to monitor the border, and increasing the number of professional border patrol agents. He also supports a path to citizenship for undocumented workers that requires them to return to their country of origin in order to begin the citizenship process. Source: 2006 House campaign website, www.timwalz.org, "Issues" , Nov 7, 2006

Voted to legalize DREAMer immigrants via military service.

Walz voted NAY Gosar Anti-DACA Amendment to H.R. 5293

Congressional Summary: The House voted on an amendment by Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) to H.R. 5293, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act of 2017. The amendment would prohibit funds from being used to extend the expiration of, or reissue a new expiration date to, the Military Accessions Vital to National Interest (MAVNI) program.

Recommendation by Heritage Foundation to vote YES:(6/16/2016): The MAVNI program is a pilot program authorizing `military services to recruit certain legal immigrants whose skills are considered to be vital to the national interest.` However, a DoD memo has made it clear that DACA/DAPA recipients are eligible under this program, essentially opening up a pathway to amnesty for illegal aliens who enlist. By ensuring that this guidance ends, DOD will no longer be able to enlist illegal immigrants through MAVNI.

Recommendation by the ACLU to vote NO: (6/28/2011): The DREAM Act promotes fundamental fairness for young people by allowing access to affordable post-secondary education and military service opportunities, regardless of immigration status, and would provide a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children, have lived here for at least five years and have graduated from high school. The DREAM Act could result in billions of dollars in additional tax revenue from tapping the potential of DREAM-eligible students and future service personnel. Since September 11, 2001, more than 69,000 immigrants have earned citizenship while serving, and more than 125 who entered military service after that date have made the ultimate sacrifice in war by giving their lives for this nation.

Legislative outcome: Failed House 210 to 211 (no Senate vote)

Source: Congressional vote 16-H5293 on Jun 16, 2016