Issue Position: Immigration

Issue Position

Issue Position: Immigration

Border Security and Immigration Reform

Jack Martins believes that our borders must be secured. The federal government has utterly failed in its responsibility to provide the personnel and resources to ensure that our borders are secure. If we have learned anything from the recent immigration debate, it is that Americans demand that our government secure our borders first. Jack Martins will make this the priority.

A secure border is an essential element of our national security. Tight border security includes not just the entry and exit of people, but also the effective screening of cargo at our ports and other points of entry.

But a secure border will contribute to addressing our immigration problem most effectively if we also:

Recognize the importance of assimilation of our immigrant population, which includes learning English, American history and civics, and respecting the values of our democratic society.

Recognize that America will always be a beacon of hope and opportunity for those seeking a better life built on hard work and optimism.

Recognize the importance of a flexible labor market to keep employers in business and our economy on top. It should provide skilled Americans and immigrants with opportunity. Our education system should ensure skills for our younger workers, and our retraining and assistance programs for displaced workers must be modernized so they can pursue those opportunities

Border security and our failed immigration system are more examples of a failed Washington culture in need of reform to regain the trust of Americans. In too many areas -- from immigration and pork barrel spending to Social Security, health care, energy security and tax relief -- business-as-usual politics in Washington today prevents addressing the important challenges facing our nation.

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