The Denver Post asked the top-tier U.S. Senate candidates a series of questions about immigration and immigration reform. They were asked to respond “support” or “oppose,” and were also given a chance to express their overall view.
The questions were:
1. Do you support or oppose the new state legislation in Arizona, that allows police to ask people for their documentation if they appear to be illegal immigrants?
2. Do you support or oppose creating a “path to citizenship” for illegal immigrants already in the United States?
3. Should undocumented residents have to return to their home countries before being considered for citizenship or guest worker status?
4. Do you support or oppose the U.S. “Dream Act,” which proposes to offer a path to legal residency for students who graduate from high school, attend higher education, and keep a clean record?
5. Do you support or oppose in-state college tuition rates for undocumented immigrants who successfully complete a Colorado K-12 education?
If you would like to sum up your position on immigration reform, in 60 words or less, please do so here:
Ken Buck (R)
1. Support.
2. Oppose.
3. Support.
4. Oppose.
5. Oppose.
The US Constitution clearly delegates immigration matters to the federal government. For 30 years, Republican and Democrat administrations have failed to address immigration issues in this country. I support securing our borders to prevent the smuggling of humans and drugs into our country. Only then should we develop a comprehensive solution to other immigration issues caused by failed federal policies.
Jane Norton (R)
1. Support.
2. Oppose.
3. Support.
4. Oppose.
5. Oppose.
The Arizona law is a direct consequence of the federal government’s failure to act and secure our borders over the last 30 years. …
First and foremost we must secure our borders. We must implement a temporary guest worker program that ensures workers are here legally and temporarily. Finally, I do not believe in amnesty. We are a nation established on the rule of law.
Tom Wiens (R)
1. Support.
2. Oppose.
3. Support.
4. Oppose.
5. Oppose.
Fixing the problem … starts with enforcing the immigration laws already on the books. We must secure our borders, especially the southern border where drug cartels threaten the peace and security on both sides of the border. Securing our borders can be done economically, and we have the ability to do it. What we lack is the political will to do it.
Sen. Michael Bennet (D)
1. Oppose.
2. Support.
3. Oppose.
4. Support.
5. Declined one-word answer.
I support comprehensive immigration reform because it will restore common-sense and control to our immigration system, so that we are once again both a nation of immigrants and a nation of laws. Comprehensive immigration reform must be tough, fair and practical. We cannot keep pushing back reform for another day. That’s why I wrote to President Obama and Senate leaders urging them to act on reform this year.
Andrew Romanoff, (D)
1. Oppose.
2. Support.
3. Oppose.
4. Support.
5. Declined one-word answer.
Secure our borders. Crack down on drug-runners, smugglers, human traffickers and other felons. Establish clear rules for employers and employees; hold both accountable when they break the rules. Provide a path by which those who are willing to work hard, pay taxes and fines, and obey the law can achieve legal status in a society that benefits from their labor.
