Jon Tester on Immigration Democratic Jr Senator

Tighten asylum laws; hire more border guards

Jon Tester (D): Voted for 2023-2024 bipartisan Senate border security bill to tighten asylum laws and hire more border guards. Said Biden's border policies had "failed." Supports DACA; "breaking a promise to these children... is not the solution."

Tim Sheehy (R): Called the 2024 bipartisan border security bill "political theater." Would axe the Department of Homeland Security. "Secure our border, finish the wall, and... end... illegal immigration." No DACA position found.

Bipartisan reform with earned path to citizenship

Matt Rosendale (R): No. Rule of law has been ignored & illegal immigrants allowed to flow freely into this country without consequence.

Jon Tester (D): Rejected 2010 Dream Act. Criticized Trump ending DACA. Supported bipartisan bill with increased border security, visa rule tightening & earned path to citizenship.

FactCheck: Opposes sanctuary cities, but don't punish them

NRSC ad says Tester "supported amnesty and sanctuary cities":
• Tester says he opposes sanctuary cities, but has voted several times against GOP bills aiming to punish these cities, which sometimes refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. He says the bills unduly penalize law enforcement in these cities by withholding grant money, making those cities less safe.
• The "amnesty" charge stems from his 2013 vote for a comprehensive immigration bill, which beefed up border security and gave illegal aliens a path to citizenship that would have taken years-- but also allowed them to stay in the country under provisional legal status. It ultimately failed.

Touts bipartisanship; voted against DREAM Act

Secure borders and no amnesty for law breakers

Opposes more border security, according to CC survey.

The Christian Coalition Voter Guide inferred whether candidates agree or disagree with the statement, 'Increase Border Security Including Additional Infrastructures ' Christian Coalition's self-description: "Christian Voter Guide is a clearing-house for traditional, pro-family voter guides. We do not create voter guides, nor do we interview or endorse candidates."

Terminate national emergency at the Southern border.

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives: That the national emergency declared by the finding of the President on February 15, 2019, in Proclamation 9844 is hereby terminated.

Proclamation 9844 issued by the president on Feb. 15, 2019: Declares a state of national emergency at the southern border to address the issues of illegal immigration and criminal trafficking into the US: `The current situation at the southern border presents a border security and humanitarian crisis that threatens core national security interests and constitutes a national emergency. The southern border is a major entry point for criminals, gang members, and illicit narcotics. The problem of large-scale unlawful migration through the southern border is long-standing, and despite the executive branch`s exercise of existing statutory authorities, the situation has worsened in certain respects in recent years. Because of the gravity of the current emergency situation, it is necessary for the Armed Forces to provide additional support to address the crisis.`

Opposing the Proclamation (supporting the Resolution), ACLU press release, 2/15/2019 The ACLU issued the following statement upon filing a lawsuit: `By the president`s very own admission in the Rose Garden, there is no national emergency. He just grew impatient and frustrated with Congress, and decided to move along his promise for a border wall `faster.` This is a patently illegal power grab that hurts American communities and flouts the checks and balances that are hallmarks of our democracy.`

Legislative outcome Passed House 245-182-5 roll #94 on Feb. 26; pass Senate 59-41 roll #49 on March 14; Vetoed by Pres. Trump; veto override failed, 248-181-3 (2/3 required), roll #127 on March 26