Keeping America Safe

Defense and Our National Security:

Our entire country owes a tremendous debt of gratitude to the brave men and women that serve in our nation’s armed forces.  As the son, grandson, and brother of veterans, I understand the sacrifice made by the brave men and women who put themselves in harm’s way to make our world a better, safer place to live.

The United States has an exceptional responsibility to stand strong and ready in a world where freedom’s enemies do not rest and threats to our security do not relent, and I believe there is no more important challenge we face today than securing our families and our homeland. 

Because of the patriotism and sacrifice of our soldiers, future generations of Americans will be able to enjoy freedom, peace, prosperity, and many other blessings that God has bestowed upon our great land.  As our troops return home, we must not forget the hardship or dangers they endured to answer their country’s call of duty.

Border Security and Immigration:

America’s immigration system is broken and in desperate need of repair.  As Congress continues to debate the best path forward to achieve a solution to our nation’s current immigration policies, I believe any reform legislation must respect three core principles.

1. An unsecured border is a threat to both our national security and our economic security. Without secure borders, no immigration reform plan can ever work. For far too long, our government has turned a blind eye to the border, allowing millions to enter this country illegally. However, in the post-9/11 world, border security is synonymous with homeland security, and we can no longer afford to ignore who is coming across our borders. That is a recipe for disaster which shows how important it is that we gain control over our borders. The government’s first responsibility is to protect our borders and our ports of entry. Law enforcement agencies must have all the resources they need to protect and patrol. Illegal aliens who commit crimes must be deported, and non-citizens should not be allowed to impose costs on the American taxpayer for social services.
    
2. America is a nation of immigrants. That is our heritage. That is our destiny. We should work to welcome with open arms those who seek freedom and opportunity and who can become economic assets to our nation. This includes a properly structured guest worker program and a requirement that employers must check the legal working status of newly hired employees. Immigrants who come to America seeking economic opportunity are an asset, but unfortunately our current immigration system often places a greater emphasis on genealogy instead of an immigrant’s potential contribution to the United States. Addressing this “chain migration” is essential to properly reforming our immigration process.
    
3. America is a nation of laws. Any immigration plan must respect the rule of law, and not reward those who may be here illegally with the ability to “cut” in the citizenship line. It is simply not fair to all of those who waited patiently to come here legally.

America is a nation of immigrants, and I intend to make sure it remains so. Many immigrants have come to America legally, earned their citizenship the right way and have made great contributions to our nation’s history and culture. We should never take away the ability for people to come to America legally, work hard, and fulfill the American dream.