August 2019 Column on Immigration Policy

In light of the recent comments from Governor Lamont, Attorney General Tong, and several Democratic legislators, I thought it important to set the record straight about Connecticut’s insane law and policy concerning illegal aliens living in our state who have criminal records, are known gang members, and are wanted by federal immigration authorities.

These Democrat leaders repeatedly omit the word “illegal” or even “undocumented” when referring to immigrants who are not here lawfully, in an absurd attempt to blur the line between those who came here legitimately and those who crossed our border in violation of our laws.  Apparently, they also want us to ignore the fact that some illegal aliens also happen to be criminals.

Shockingly, federal immigration authorities attempting to uphold our laws and protect us are accused of racism, fascism, and worse by Democrat elected officials.   It’s worth noting also that those subject to the so-called “raids” are not just undocumented aliens.  These are individuals who have received a final order of deportation, typically the result of criminal activity or the failure to appear at their own asylum hearing.

As a proud and patriotic American, I completely understand why people are willing to risk apprehension and deportation to come to our country, the greatest on Earth, the land of freedom and opportunity.   However, they do so with the full knowledge that they are violating our laws and risk the penalty for doing so.  I am sympathetic, but the fact remains our nation is a nation of laws.  Without them, we would be no better than the places these individuals are fleeing.

The first duty of all elected officials is to ensure public safety.  Shamefully, Democrat leaders in our state show an utter disregard for the rule of law when it comes to our federal immigration policy, passing sanctuary laws and policies not only to ignore illegal immigration but to encourage it. For their own political purposes, they offer drivers licenses, tuition discounts, and social services benefits to those who would bypass our lawful process of immigration, ignoring and insulting those immigrants who are waiting in line to come here the proper way.

I don’t believe I have the right to speak for all Republicans but I think it’s important to make it clear what my positions are on this subject. I believe they are in line with other Republicans and the vast majority of Connecticut citizens.

I am in favor of increasing border security for the purpose of protecting our citizens and having a mechanism to make sure we are keeping out drug dealers, gang members, and terrorists while allowing those we have screened to pass.

I am in favor of modifying and improving our process for dealing with genuine refugees looking for asylum in the US.  Who knows how many legitimate asylum seekers are suffering as a result of the failure of the current policy?

I am in favor of expanding lawful immigration into our country.  Most of us are the descendants of legal immigrants. There is no question that lawful immigration has greatly benefited our society and culture as a whole.  Did you know that the US takes in over one million legal immigrants each year?  Just imagine how many more we could accommodate if illegal entries were prevented.

Since there is no will or way to remove every undocumented person, I suggest creating a work permit opportunity for undocumented aliens living here who can prove they are able to support themselves, are not criminals, and have paid a fine for overstaying a visa or crossing our border illegally.

I am not in favor of sanctuary city or state policies.  They are illegal, dangerous to citizens and non-citizens alike, and are reminiscent of the lawless places many who come here are fleeing.

I am not in favor of offering benefits like food stamps or health insurance, or incentives like driver’s licenses to those who come to the US illegally.

In contrast, Democrat leaders across our country seem to like the status quo.  Their policies have created an entire population of fearful people who live in the shadows, preyed upon by criminals – human traffickers, gangs, drug dealers – and unable to work lawfully.  These politicians benefit from a dependent population which they take advantage of at election time, and they falsely paint as bigots and racists those of us who disagree with their destructive agenda.

I reject that disturbed and immoral policy and so do an overwhelming majority of Connecticut residents.

I could list quite a number of misguided policies taking Connecticut in the wrong direction. None is worse than the misguided expansion of the “Trust Act” passed earlier this year, that puts criminals who happen to be undocumented aliens above the law, restricting local and state law enforcement officials from cooperating with federal authorities on the subject of immigration, even when they have the person in custody.

Every Republican in our state legislature voted against this dangerous policy, also known as Senate Bill 992.  How did your State Representative and State Senator vote?