America was built by immigrants who came from all over the world. They came to escape tyranny, to have an opportunity to build a better life, and for the promise of justice, equality, and liberty guaranteed by America. Legal immigration has expanded our population and workforce and contributed to the richness of American life. In order to continue to build upon this foundation of greatness, America should continue to allow legal immigration.
In order to preserve justice, equality, and liberty for all, America and its fifty states must enforce all laws equally and impartially, including immigration laws. For this reason, America must not grant amnesty to people who have come here illegally. The states should not allow for subversion of federal immigration laws by providing "safe havens" for illegal immigrants or by instructing public officials, including law enforcement officers, not to enforce federal immigration laws. At the same time, the United States Government should enforce borders and federal immigration laws and permit States to do the same. If elected to the Untied States Senate, I will resist any attempt by the Executive Branch of Government to block states from enforcing borders and federal immigration laws. It is the duty of the President to uphold and enforce our law. It is not duty of the President to make our laws or to subvert them.
It is essential that America secures its borders, coasts, and airspace in order to prevent illegal immigration and human trafficking. It also is necessary to protect us from crime, including the illegal drug trade, and to protect us from possible terrorist operations. Moreover, it will allow America to enforce trade agreements with other nations. Enforcement of our territorial sovereignty is a major national security issue; doing it properly will promote our domestic safety and support our immigration and economic policies.
The Federal and State Governments must not provide benefits, driver's licenses, voter registration, the opportunity for employment, or other enticements that would encourage people to reside here illegally. United States law requires employers to only employee individuals legally allowed to work in the United States, including citizens and certain others that have legal authorization to work here. Employers must be held accountable for observing the law; requiring them to use the online E-Verify system provided by the Federal Government and paid for by you, the taxpayer, is indicated. Employers that knowingly hire illegal immigrants should be penalized. Importantly, following the law in this matter will help to protect the ability of American citizens and residents legally authorized to work here to find employment. With high unemployment in Washington State and throughout America, we owe it to our legal workforce to uphold the law. Failure to do so is a barrier to the legal workforce finding employment at a time when some of its members are losing their homes after losing their jobs.
In spite of the fact that the unemployment rate is high, there are some industries for which there are relative labor shortages. A good example of that is the agricultural industry in Washington State, where seasonal workers are needed to harvest crops. It is essential that we remove any bottlenecks in processing temporary work permits for foreign workers to come into the United States to do this work. Agricultural employers should be allowed to submit a list of prospective foreign national employees to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services and obtain rapid approval or rejection of the requested temporary work permits. This will ensure that our agricultural employers can hire sufficient numbers of workers in a timely fashion. It also will keep America's work force legal, increase our tax base, and help to ensure that America has a reliable food supply.
Finally, we must make English our official language. The ability to speak English is a virtual necessity for those living in the United States, and promoting English is in the best interest of all of our people.
Because immigration is so vital to America's health and future well-being, it must continue and the integrity of legal immigration must be reestablished.
