Topic: Presidential Campaign 2008
Immigration - My Stance My stance on immigration has remained the same since I first shared my view during my campaign: I oppose what has become a federal "war on immigrants." Because of my position, I have received many inquiries as to how I feel about state's rights and immigration.by Christine Smith
(Libertarian)
Friday, February 8, 2008
My stance on immigration has remained the same since I first shared my view during my campaign: I oppose what has become a federal "war on immigrants."
Because I am for freedom - free enterprise, free men - and believe freedom is the greatest culture of America, I personally think the benefits far outweigh the "costs" of non-citizens/migrants. I also think Americans should have the right to associate and do business with anyone they choose. As a libertarian, I want each of us to have the liberty to welcome or employ anyone we choose.
The borders are already "open." The federal government has failed miserably in its attempt to control illegal immigration, and now uses this issue as an excuse to strip more and more of our liberties as Americans citizens from us (such as requiring the national ID which would affect only law abiding US citizens placing all in a national database).
I do not think the federal government should have the power to tell us whom we may or may not associate with - be it whom we help or do business with. Eliminate the welfare state but don't oppress Americans or migrants by dictating whom we can employ or sell to. Neither do I think the federal government should be able to force its mandates upon the states.
Because of my position, I have received many inquiries as to how I feel about state's rights and immigration. My stance on this remains also remains the same since I first shared my position on immigration: I have always recognized and respected the sovereignty of all states to make and enforce whatever immigration related legislation they so choose. Due to brevity, my position on states rights was removed from my website for a time as we shortened page text for each page...but due to people now asking my position on immigration as it pertains to state's rights, I have decided to clarify it by again posting the original text of this part of my platform and share it below.
Thank you to everyone who inquired. The following is my position on immigration:
End All Subsidies
I will end all government incentives/subsidies provided to illegal immigrants.
Non-citizens will be responsible for paying their own cost of living or return to their nation of origin for services not provided here.
States and communities will be under no obligation from the federal government to provide any subsidies or other publicly funded services to non-citizens. Neither will local law enforcement agencies be ordered by the federal government to arrest and detain only those violating current federal immigration law.
It will be legal for any private group or individual to offer humanitarian assistance to non-citizens. Private charitable groups or organizations (be they formed by American citizens or by non-citizens) may create hospitals, clinics, schools, English-language instruction, civic studies, etc. for non-citizens free from government intrusion/regulation.
Permit All to Work
It will be legal to employ non-citizens (no federal laws/sanctions against employers).
Workers simply seeking employment may enter, work, and return to their country. The misery and suffering of human trafficking will cease.
Immigrant detention centers where families are now imprisoned by private companies for nothing more than seeking refuge within our nation will be abolished.
Since I will end the federal government's counterproductive, costly, harmful failed 'war on drugs,' the violence currently resulting from drug trafficking from Mexico will cease.
State's Rights
Because I oppose the federal government war on immigration, many have asked me where I stand regarding state's rights. My position: I have always recognized and respected the sovereignty of all states to make and enforce whatever immigration related legislation they so choose. The President nor bureaucrats in Washington, DC should be making the decisions regarding immigration because each individual state and city has its unique characteristics, culture, and economy which they know best.
Though I personally believe the benefits outweigh "costs" of immigrants, I believe the citizens of said areas - not the President or Congress- are the best ones to decide the fate of their communities free from federal mandates.
States rights mean their sovereign right to control the influences and development of their society and its culture based upon their citizens needs and desires, and thus states have the right to practice democratic control over immigration matters in their states if they so choose. The American citizens of states and cities will have jurisdiction over non-citizens inhabiting their communities and can legislate and enforce the policies/laws/ordinances and/or entitlements/subsidies (if they so choose to provide them) that they deem appropriate for their communities. Whether that means fences, employment mandates, subsidies or no subsidies for non-citizens, licensing...states/cities should decide for themselves the policies right for their people. I think the federal government should be taken out of the equation entirely.
American Civil Liberties Protected
A federal 'war on illegal immigration' would result in higher costs to you the taxpayer, more violence, more harassment of American businesses, invasions of your privacy, and less freedom overall for American citizens...and it would have no significant effect on immigration.
It would become yet another 'war' against you the American citizen stripping you of civil and economic liberty.
Christine Smith for President 15400 W. 64th Ave., E9-105 Arvada, Colorado 80007
phone: (303) 217-8848
PAID FOR BY CHRISTINE SMITH FOR PRESIDENT
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2008 Christine Smith, all rights reserved.
Published: Friday, February 8, 2008
Last modified: Friday, February 8, 2008
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My wife is from Peru. Most of our friends are Latinos. We love them. We are amazed at their border-crossing stories. We are concerned that they do not have drivers' licenses, and that is often because they really don't know how to drive. And auto insurance? We know they frequent the "free" emergency rooms. There is much to be concerned about.
But they do seek work. They do care for their families back home. (If the feds wanted to find the illegals, all they need to do is stand outside the money-gram stores, beginning with the Post Office - ah, last I checked that was Fed land.)
And, I do have some concern when a few e-mails can put 500,000 into the streets of Los Angeles and other cities. The last time they were peaceful. But so were the early civil rights gatherings, before LA, Detroit and Neward were burnt to the ground.
So I have concerns. But some of that is simply the cost of freedom. I'm willing to pay that price!
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2008 Christine Smith, all rights reserved.