Gary Johnson
Of note, Gary Johnson was a two term governor of a border state, and arguably in regards to immigration issues, has perhaps the most practical experience.
From his campaign website:
"Governors Johnson and Weld believe that, instead of appealing to emotions and demonizing immigrants, we should focus on creating a more efficient system of providing work visas, conducting background checks, and incentivizing non-citizens to pay their taxes, obtain proof of employment, and otherwise assimilate with our diverse society. Making it simpler and more efficient to enter the United States legally will provide greater security than a wall by allowing law enforcement to focus on those who threaten our country, not those who want to be a part of it."
From looking further on ontheissues, he advocates a 2 year period for illegal immigrants to go through the process of becoming legal, and a "1 strike, you're out" rule, essentially, if the terms of their process are violated, they are done. I think his focus on reforming the broken process is a good step towards a reasonable and fair immigration policy. I also think it is good to see he is not advocating total open borders, as some of my fellow libertarians do indeed advocate, but reasonable security checks. In my view this is a sound middle of the road plan to address concerns from all sides and develop a fair process, and rates an A.
Chris Keniston
In his personal platform, he references the VPA platform on the issue. The party platform has a 10 point plan to address immigration:
1. We must secure all borders and international ports of entry to properly protect our nation from potential threats foreign and domestic.
2. We must enforce immigration laws, by supporting legislation that will provide for Border State agencies to coordinate the implementation and enforcement of national immigration laws, including directing resources to the Border States to fund the National Guard or Militia to work with National Border Security Agencies.
3. All illegal and undocumented immigrants must report to a local immigration center and get registered with a firm deadline for compliance.
a. Any illegal or undocumented immigrants that fail to register are subject to immediate and permanent deportation.
b. All registered immigrants with any felony or State level misdemeanor conviction, even if later cleared or expunged by any method, shall immediately face permanent deportation.
c. All illegal or undocumented immigrants found trying to illegally enter the United States after the registration deadline is subject to immediate and permanent deportation.
d. Any illegal immigrant under the age of 18 may be represented by an attorney prior to facing deportation, paid for by country of origin, including withholding funds from foreign aid.
4. The Veterans Party of America supports the hiring of ICE Agents at an accelerated rate to meet the National and Border State demands of at least 60,000 Border Patrol agents. This increase in Border security shall be paid for by exact budget stipulations in the Home Land Security funding.
5. All illegal or undocumented immigrants will be treated humanely, respectfully, with critical medical care as required and then returned to country of origin. The country of origin shall be responsible for all expenses, medical or otherwise. These funds shall be deducted from any foreign aid those countries of origin may receive.
6. Any immigrants properly documented by the end of the registration deadline, but are not prepared for filing for permanent residency status must acquire a sponsor, learn a sufficient level of the English language for public safety, becoming proficient in the common language, and shall be given a grace period to complete the application process, based on each individual applicant’s needs, not to exceed 5 years, without extensions.
7. All documented immigrants between the ages of 6 & 18, depending on State law, must be registered in and regularly attend school.
8. No illegal immigrants under this provision will be eligible for permanent status ahead of legal immigrants already engaged in the application process.
9. All documented immigrants over 18, residing in the United States, seeking permanent status must be employed with a tax identification number, or be a full time student.
10. Any corporations, conducting business in the United States found to hire illegal immigrants, upon conviction shall be fined 1 million dollars or 51% of their business holding, whichever is less. We need to make it easier for businesses to block sponsor immigrant workers (VISA) from countries of origin, through US Embassies and Consulates, provided the corporation can document an insufficient labor source already existing in the particular area.
He also calls for a permanent moratorium on deportation of any law abiding immigrant awaiting citizenship by marriage, immediate citizenship for completion of military service, and for the involvement of state governments in approaching the issue, as well as the possibility of employers "sponsoring" immigrants, which could be an interesting approach to a middle ground on labor needs vs immigration policy.
Overall an interesting and thought provoking approach. Some concerns I have include the possible use of National Guard in border security, while I understand the idea, I'm not sure that it is one I agree entirely with. Also, the criminal conviction one, felony I get, even most misdemeanors I get, but even if it is cleared or expunged? Does this include minor traffic violations? I'd say, overall, a novel and interesting approach, I'd give it an A.
Evan McMullin
From his website:
"The path to reform begins with securing our borders. Once they are secured, there should be a process of earned legalization for the illegal immigrants who are already here. There is simply no efficient way to deport 11 million individuals; doing so would break apart families and likely cost $100 billion. Furthermore, legalization is not amnesty. While addressing illegal immigration, it is vital to remember that legal immigration is one of America’s greatest strengths. Immigrants and their children have a long record of hard work, starting businesses, and creating jobs. Still, we need to reform the legal immigration system so that it prioritizes American interests and security, including the protection of workers from low-wage, low-skill competition."
"Deporting 11 million illegal immigrants is simply not practical. It would likely cost more than $100 billion and force the federal government to act in an intrusive manner that would violate the privacy of both citizens and legal residents. Deportation would also break up families, hurting children who are not responsible for their parents’ actions. Criminals, however, would still be subject to deportation.
The first step toward earning legal status is for all those who are here illegally to come forward and register themselves. Next they would pay an application fee and a fine, undergo a background check, and demonstrate competence in English. If they do those things, they would get a temporary work and residence permit, but would not be eligible for welfare or entitlement programs. If they obey the law and pay their taxes for several years, they could apply for permanent residency."Again, a good middle of the road approach that seeks to fix our current broken system, yet still encourage those who want to work to come work. My only issue here is the low wage competition bit, a "taking our jobs" toss I guess, but an inaccurate one. And here's another source. Overall, good, but some issues, B+
Jill Stein
From her website:Support immigrants’ rights. Create a welcoming path to citizenship for immigrants.
Halt deportations and detentions of law-abiding undocumented immigrants., including the shameful practice of night raids being used to terrorize refugee families.
Improve economic and social conditions abroad to reduce the flow of immigrant refugees, in part by repealing NAFTA, ending the failed drug wars, and halting CIA and military interventions against democratically elected governments.
Demilitarize border crossings throughout North America.And more of the same on ontheissues
Basically, as I understand it, criminals are bad and have to go, the rest can stay, as citizens. Also, trade is bad, not really sure how that relates to immigration...but sure. I do agree with her on ending the drug war, and ending meddling that creates refugee situations, although I think we would still have an immigration issue without those causes. As to demilitarizing our borders...well, I wouldn't say they are "militarized" currently, and am curious what she would have in their place regarding border security. Some good ideas and thoughts, and I like her statement about treating people like human beings. However, I think we need to take a stronger stance on border security and immigration than she is suggesting. Yes these are human beings and our immigration system definitely needs to be reformed, but flinging the doors open isn't the answer either. I'm going with a C here
Darrell Castle
From the Constitution Party website
"America’s best interests are not being put first in immigration reform debates. Castle also observed, “There is a current pathway to citizenship, it is called ‘legal immigration.’ The Constitution Party supports a sensible legal immigration system in the United States. However, this support should not be piggybacked, combined or confused with illegal immigration. We support and demand legislation–a legal immigration system that complements and promotes the best for the United States of America and its citizenry, one that denies a pathway for those who have successfully, many with full pre-meditation, ignored our rule of law.” Frank Fluckiger, Chairman of the Constitution Party National Committee added, “The Constitution Party supports lawful solutions, including initiatives, such as ‘attrition thru enforcement’ programs, as a means to address illegal immigration — not a free pass to reward criminal behavior. We support programs, such as E-Verify, to put millions of Americans back to work. We must have strict enforcement and compliance of any and all common sense visa programs, and we demand security of our borders and ports to ensure that illegal immigration is a diminishing problem for the future.”And from a September 2016 interview with "The New American"
"I believe that immigration in all its forms should be stopped until we can vet immigrants properly and our borders are under control. We can’t be allowing people with terrorist ties, or who are carrying dangerous communicable diseases, to enter our country unchecked. But once we have regained control of our borders and the flow of immigrants, we can admit as many as we choose, in a controlled and lawful manner."So basically, stop all immigration entirely, for an undefined period of time, and then figure things out as we go along....sure...because terrorism....D
Donald Trump
From his website:
Donald J. Trump’s 10 Point Plan to Put America First
1. Begin working on an impenetrable physical wall on the southern border, on day one. Mexico will pay for the wall.
2. End catch-and-release. Under a Trump administration, anyone who illegally crosses the border will be detained until they are removed out of our country.
3. Move criminal aliens out day one, in joint operations with local, state, and federal law enforcement. We will terminate the Obama administration’s deadly, non-enforcement policies that allow thousands of criminal aliens to freely roam our streets.
4. End sanctuary cities.
5. Immediately terminate President Obama’s two illegal executive amnesties. All immigration laws will be enforced - we will triple the number of ICE agents. Anyone who enters the U.S. illegally is subject to deportation. That is what it means to have laws and to have a country.
6. Suspend the issuance of visas to any place where adequate screening cannot occur, until proven and effective vetting mechanisms can be put into place.
7. Ensure that other countries take their people back when we order them deported.
8. Ensure that a biometric entry-exit visa tracking system is fully implemented at all land, air, and sea ports.
9. Turn off the jobs and benefits magnet. Many immigrants come to the U.S. illegally in search of jobs, even though federal law prohibits the employment of illegal immigrants.
10. Reform legal immigration to serve the best interests of America and its workers, keeping immigration levels within historic norms.
There's really a ton I could put here, let's be honest, this is one of the foundations of his campaign. The biggest issues, the wall, it's impractical, it's an exaggerated response, and Mexico certainly isn't going to pay for it. I could go on and on, but I'm going to let The Donald grade himself on this one. F
Hillary Clinton
From her website:
Introduce comprehensive immigration reform. Hillary will introduce comprehensive immigration reform with a pathway to full and equal citizenship within her first 100 days in office. It will treat every person with dignity, fix the family visa backlog, uphold the rule of law, protect our borders and national security, and bring millions of hardworking people into the formal economy.
End the three- and 10-year bars. The three- and 10-year bars force families—especially those whose members have different citizenship or immigration statuses—into a heartbreaking dilemma: remain in the shadows, or pursue a green card by leaving the country and loved ones behind.
Defend President Obama’s executive actions—known as DACA and DAPA—against partisan attacks. The Supreme Court’s deadlocked decision on DAPA was a heartbreaking reminder of how high the stakes are in this election. Hillary believes DAPA is squarely within the president’s authority and won’t stop fighting until we see it through. The estimated 5 million people eligible for DAPA—including DREAMers and parents of Americans and lawful residents—should be protected under the executive actions.
Do everything possible under the law to protect families. If Congress keeps failing to act on comprehensive immigration reform, Hillary will enact a simple system for those with sympathetic cases—such as parents of DREAMers, those with a history of service and contribution to their communities, or those who experience extreme labor violations—to make their case and be eligible for deferred action.
Enforce immigration laws humanely. Immigration enforcement must be humane, targeted, and effective. Hillary will focus resources on detaining and deporting those individuals who pose a violent threat to public safety, and ensure refugees who seek asylum in the U.S. have a fair chance to tell their stories.
End family detention and close private immigration detention centers. Hillary will end family detention for parents and children who arrive at our border in desperate situations and close private immigrant detention centers.
Expand access to affordable health care to all families. We should let families—regardless of immigration status—buy into the Affordable Care Act exchanges. Families who want to purchase health insurance should be able to do so.
Promote naturalization. Hillary will work to expand fee waivers to alleviate naturalization costs, increase access to language programs to encourage English proficiency, and increase outreach and education to help more people navigate the process. Support immigrant integration. Hillary will create a national Office of Immigrant Affairs, support affordable integration services through $15 million in new grant funding for community navigators and similar organizations, and significantly increase federal resources for adult English language education and citizenship education.
As seems to be a trend here...Hillary is rather inconsistent however:
As to her current positions...the continued willingness to abuse executive orders is concerning, she clearly has little respect for constitutional separation of powers...the rest of what she currently has to say, I can at least semi get behind, or, to put it more accurately, I think is a workable starting place. But she's been on the record multiple times, as FLOTUS and as Senator, with very different positions. She's inconsistent and seems to hope that if she panders to emotion, the people will forget. For that pandering and inconsistency, solid F
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