• 15. Pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens
    Take your position.
    • Oppose
    • Support
    Importance
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    • Somewhat
Background

U.S. immigration policy has been a touchstone of political debate for decades as policymakers consider U.S. labor demands and border security concerns. Comprehensive immigration reform has eluded Congress for years, moving decisions into the executive and judicial branches of government and pushing the debate into the halls of state and municipal governments. Meanwhile, the fates of the estimated eleven million undocumented immigrants in the country, as well as future rules for legal migration, lie in the balance.

(Source: The U.S. Immigration Debate, BY CFR.ORG, Feb.26, 2015)
Official Democratic Position

In this country, the rule of law guarantees equal treatment to every individual, including more than one million immigrants to whom we grant permanent residence every year. That is why we oppose any form of amnesty for those who intentionally violate the law. Granting amnesty only rewards and encourages more law breaking.

We support the mandatory use of the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (S.A.V.E.) program--an internet-based system that verifies the lawful presence of applicants.

We insist upon enforcement at the workplace through verification systems so that jobs can be available to all legal workers. Use of the E-verify program--an internet-based system that verifies the employment authorization and identity of employees-- must be made mandatory nationwide. State enforcement efforts in the workplace must be welcomed, not attacked. When Americans need jobs, it is absolutely essential that we protect them from illegal labor in the workplace.

Source: 2012 Republican Party Platform , Aug 27, 2012
Official Republican Position

President Obama and the Democrats fought for the DREAM Act, legislation ensuring that young people who want to contribute fully to our society and serve our country are able to become legal residents and ultimately citizens. Although this bill has a long history of bipartisan support, Republicans decided to play politics with it rather than do the right thing. So the Obama administration provided temporary relief for youth who came to the United States as children, through no fault of their own, grew up as Americans and are poised to make a real contribution to our country.

"We congratulate President Barack Obama for giving hope to millions of aspiring citizens when he announced the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Immigrant you Democratic Party stand for comprehensive immigration reform that intelligently prioritizes our country's security and economic needs, while Mitt Romney and the Republicans have opposed commonsense reforms and pandered to the far right.

Source: 2012 Democratic Party Platform , Sep 4, 2012
Candidates' Choice
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