Republican Candidate for U . S . Congress , District 11
I support Arizona ’ s right to pass laws aimed at protecting its citizens . If our state ’ s officials and our citizens in Florida deem it necessary to pass a similar law to protect our citizens , I would support it .
One of the underlying problems with illegal immigration is the reality that some people ’ s perceptions of US citizens from Puerto Rico are illegal aliens based solely on the language they speak . Until we eliminate the problem of “ illegal ” in our immigration policy that perception will never change . Our Hispanic culture is as much a part of our rich American cultural heritage as any other ethnic group .
Mike Prendergast website : www . pickprendergast . com
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Independent Candidate for Senator of Florida
Charlie Crist supports immigration reform that provides an earned path to citizenship . Today there are as many as 14 million illegal immigrants in America as part of an underground economy . Congress needs to provide an earned path to citizenship to those seeking to stay in the country . By doing so , they would be required to seek citizenship and all that implies with the result being an end to the underground system which exists today and is actually a form of fraud which costs everyone . Just imagine if these 14 million illegal immigrants became law abiding , taxpaying citizens and paid into the social security system how much better off America would be .
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Democratic Candidate for Governor of Florida
“ States are passing tougher immigration laws because the Federal government has failed to secure our borders and crack down on illegal immigration . While it is the responsibility of our Federal Government to enforce immigration laws , it is clear that Washington has dropped the ball for decades . And in recent years , many states , like Arizona , have taken matters into their own hands to address a serious and growing problem . One thing , however , is clear : illegal immigrants that break our state ’ s laws should be held accountable both by the state of Florida and by the federal government for being in this country illegally by being deported .”
“ My plan for Florida is to ensure that illegal immigrants don ’ t take jobs away from Floridians or get a free ride off the state welfare system when they don ’ t pay taxes and don ’ t play by the same rules as everybody else .”
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Republican Candidate for Senator of Florida
“ States certainly have the right to enact policies to protect their citizens , but Arizona ’ s policy shows the difficulty and limitations of states trying to act piecemeal to solve what is a serious federal problem . From what I have read in news reports , I do have concerns about this legislation . While I don ’ t believe Arizona ’ s policy was based on anything other than trying to get a handle on our broken borders , I think aspects of the law , especially that dealing with ‘ reasonable suspicion ,’ are going to put our law enforcement officers in an incredibly difficult position . It could also unreasonably single out people who are here legally , including many American citizens . Throughout American history and throughout this administration we have seen that when government is given an inch it takes a mile .”
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