My intent here is to provide a profile of Senator Dole on the issue of Illegal Immigration. I hope it is of use.

Hot Topic - Border Security and Immigration Reform



We are a nation of immigrants, and we also are a nation of laws. Legal immigration is important for the future of our nation – and we should encourage it. At the same time, unfettered and uncontrolled illegal immigration threatens our national security and our economy. It’s time to resolve this issue.

Our borders are currently not secure, and this is totally unacceptable. Period. Our top priority must be to secure our borders, by increasing the number of border agents, making better use of technology, and having adequate facilities to detain those who are caught illegally entering our country.

I oppose any proposal that provides amnesty to those who have broken our laws and entered this nation illegally. I do recognize, however, that temporary foreign labor plays an important role in the agriculture, construction, and service industries in North Carolina and throughout the country. I would support legislation that secures our borders to stop future illegal immigration and then create temporary worker permits, where people can apply to work in this country for a limited period of time, as long as they pay taxes and obey the law. After a time, the workers would have to return to their home country to reapply for legal admission.

Elizabeth Dole

We are a nation of immigrants.

We are not a nation of immigrants. I was born here, and the overwhelming majority of Americans were born here, and as such, are Native Americans.

and we are a nation of laws.

If we do not enforce those laws, then they are null and void, leading to a general contempt for those who do follow the law. Those who come here legally are what I call Adopted Americans, they are members of our family in a spiritual sense. Those who come here Illegally without seeking Asylum are guilty of Breaking and Entering and Theft. I call these people Illegal because they live outside, or above the law.

Legal immigration is important for the future of our nation – and we should encourage it. At the same time, unfettered and uncontrolled illegal immigration threatens our national security and our economy. It’s time to resolve this issue.

I agree it is High Time for resolution of this highly divisive issue.

Our borders are currently not secure, and this is totally unacceptable. Period. Our top priority must be to secure our borders, by increasing the number of border agents, making better use of technology, and having adequate facilities to detain those who are caught illegally entering our country.

I also agree with this paragraph in principle, fully realizing that the devil is in the details.

I oppose any proposal that provides amnesty to those who have broken our laws and entered this nation illegally. I do recognize, however, that temporary foreign labor plays an important role in the agriculture, construction, and service industries in North Carolina and throughout the country.

I think she is saying that the ends justify the means, that our great need puts us between a rock and a hard place.

I would support legislation that secures our borders to stop future illegal immigration and then create temporary worker permits, where people can apply to work in this country for a limited period of time, as long as they pay taxes and obey the law. After a time, the workers would have to return to their home country to reapply for legal admission.

She is correct in emphasizing closing the borders first, then focusing on a temporary worker permit. My chief concern is whether or not we will be able to go after these people should they decide to overstay their permit. Are we willing to round up, say 10,000 people a year (just a number I pulled out of the air) and send them to their country of origin after a time in detention? What if their country refuses to accept them? We have to grow a Spine on these issues.

On the face of it, this statement of Senator Dole is an acceptable Policy should she follow it as I have laid out. In my next post, I intend to explore her past voting record on Illegal Immigration.