On the Issues

Immigration

Successful immigration reform needs to be tough, smart and fair.  It should combine strong enforcement with other changes to the system to make it realistic enough to address America's long-term security, stability and prosperity.

With an estimated 12 million undocumented people in the country and an average of 500,000 more arriving each year, there must be a more proactive stance to ensure future traffic at the borders is controlled, normalized and safe.  

Susan supports a combination approach to controlling illegal immigration which includes securing the border, enforcing the law in the workplace, creating legal channels for workers to enter the country, and a way to earn legal status.  Border enforcement needs to be accomplished by providing dedicated agents with increased technology and personnel.  Susan supports worksite enforcement through tamper-proof employment verification, in addition to significant fines and criminal penalties for employers who disregard this process.  The current flow of illegal immigration needs to be replaced with a lawful channel to satisfy the country's demand for foreign workers.  

Susan does not support amnesty.  She believes undocumented immigrants must come out of the shadows and pass various hurdles to earn the privilege of being allowed to stay.  Earned legalization does not mean people will be "cutting in line" as some critics have stated. These individuals will go to the back of the line and wait their turn.