Positions and Views of John Kerry
on Immigration
| Previous Candidate for U.S. Senate, Massachusetts |
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| Immigration |
Positions and Views |
| Immigration, a General Statement |
America is a nation of immigrants. People from all over the world come here to make a better life for themselves and their families. Here, those who enter the country legally have the opportunity, by working hard and playing by the rules, to achieve the American dream. Others--those that come here without proper documentation--have no such opportunity. They work physically demanding jobs that most American citizens do not want. They make it possible for resorts to operate, for restaurants to serve, and for farms to harvest. They came here to meet a workforce demand that otherwise would go unfilled. And, while we may not agree with how they got here, the fact is that they are here and that we have become dependent on them.
As someone married to an immigrant, I am reminded every day by my wife of how you can love your roots and love your heritage; even as you fulfill the full measure of your love of this country, and your loyalty as a United States citizen. I believe that America can continue in its tradition of welcoming immigrants and giving them the opportunity to achieve the American dream, so long as we create a common sense immigration system: one that protects our national security as well as our national ideals.
Comprehensive immigration reform has eluded congress several times, but I will continue to fight for reforms that ensure our borders are enforced, our laws are upheld and people are treated fairly and humanely. Keeping families together, giving our businesses the labor force they need to be successful, and opening the American dream to all those that work hard to achieve their goals, should be our priority.
Source: kerry.senate.gov (04/27/2008) |
| Immigration Reform |
I believe that America can continue in its tradition of welcoming immigrants and giving them the opportunity to achieve the American dream, so long as we create a common sense immigration system: one that protects our national security as well as our national ideals. Comprehensive immigration reform has eluded congress several times, but I will continue to fight for reforms that ensure our borders are enforced, our laws are upheld and people are treated fairly and humanely. Keeping families together, giving our businesses the labor force they need to be successful, and opening the American dream to all those that work hard to achieve their goals, should be our priority.
Source: kerry.senate.gov (04/27/2008) |
| Federal Enforcement of Immigration Laws |
As an integral part of his reform, John Kerry will reach an accord with neighboring countries to improve security along our borders and stop illegal smuggling. He will improve our nation's security databases and watchlists and better control the borders to ensure that people who intend to harm us cannot cross our borders.
Source: Candidate Website (10/02/2004) |
| Guest Worker Program |
Under the Kerry-Edwards approach, undocumented workers who have lived and worked here for 5 years, who pay taxes, and who are successfully screened for security purposes will have a path to citizenship. As president, John Kerry will also expand opportunities to learn English and obtain civic education classes to help immigrants assume all of the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.
As president, John Kerry will establish a secure channel for a limited number of temporary workers to come into the United States. To protect all working people in the United States, John Kerry will ensure that these temporary workers have the protections of U.S. employment and labor laws, including fair wage protections. These protections must be rigorously enforced.
Source: Candidate Website (10/02/2004) |
| Securing Our Borders |
Today, our borders remain unsecured. Three million people without the proper documentation will enter our country this year - 4,000 every day on the Arizona-Mexico border alone. We've already caught individuals from countries like Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan attempting to cross our borders illegally.
Yet border inspectors tell us they lack the basic training and ready access to information they need to keep terrorists out - like the terrorist watch list. Robert Bonner, the Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection, calls the border situation "a complete mess."
But we still don't have a single integrated watch list. And Washington's been cutting jobs in our border patrol. You can't control a border unless it's patrolled.
Source: kerry.senate.gov (04/27/2008) |
| Naturalization Backlog for Immigrants |
As president, John Kerry will eliminate the massive administrative backlog and delay that has left many families unnecessarily divided for a decade or more. Our nation's immigration system must be able to more quickly reunite husbands with wives, parents with children. Legal permanent residents seeking to reunify with spouses and children must be provided a fair and efficient process to do so.
Source: Candidate Website (10/02/2004) |
| These are available issue topics for which there were no responses. |
| Social Services to Undocumented Immigrants |
| E-Verify System |
| Undocumented Immigrants Impact on US Economy |
| State Enforcement of Federal Immigration Laws |
| Local Enforcement of Immigration Laws |
| State and Local Immigration Laws |
| Border Control & Fence |
| High-Skilled Worker Immigration |
| Visa Enforcement |
| Citizenship through Military Service |
| Arizona's Strict New Immigration Law |
| English-Only Laws |
| Review of the 14th Amendment |
| Deportation |
| Citizenship for Illegal Immigrants |
| Self-Deportation |
| Real ID Act |
| Database Of Foreigners |
| Americanization |
| Immigration Application Fees |
| Using National Guard Troops to Secure Mexican Border |
| Driver's Licenses to Illegals |
| Employers Who Hire Illegals |
| Organization of American States (OAS) Diplomacy |
| Illegal Immigration as a Felony |
| Amnesty for Illegal Immigrants |
| Criminalize Assistance to Illegal Immigrants |
| H-1B Program |
| Immigrant Troops |
| Undocumented Immigrants |
| Electronic Verification System for Employers |
| Legal Status for Undocumented Farm Workers |
| Immigrant Birthright Citizenship |
| English as the Official National Language |
| Legal Residency for Immigrant Youth |
| Alien Minors |
| Permanent Partners Immigration Act |
| Minutemen Project |