Best Immigration Quotes | Short & Famous Sayings Page 26

“We have to identify everybody that's here, and there's going to be an appropriate discussion in Congress on how to deal with an individual who has been here maybe for some long period of time. Amnesty is not on the table period. There will be no amnesty in the United States. We're a country of law and the idea that we're going to tell people that somehow or another that that's all forgiven is not going to happen. How we deal with them is a conversation. I don't know if I know all the answers. I want to talk to the American people.”

“Nobody here's for open borders. When undocumented people are apprehended, they should be sent back to wherever they came from.”

People Should Immigration Borders

Author:Richard Polanco

“But the simple truth is that we've lost control of our own borders, and no nation can do that and survive.”

Lost Nations Can Do Simple Truth Is Immigration Borders Simple Truths

Book:Ronald Reagan

Source: Ronald Reagan

“The ongoing migration of persons to the United States in violation of our laws is a serious national problem detrimental to the interests of the United States.”

Persons States Problem Law Interest United United States Serious Immigration Ongoing Violation Migration Detrimental

Book:Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Ronald Reagan, 1981

Source: Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Ronald Reagan, 1981

“Our country and state have a special obligation to work toward the stabilization of our own population so as to credibly lead other parts of the world toward population stabilization.”

World Country States Special Population Immigration Obligation Our Country

Author:Ronald Reagan

“Supporters of this fundamental change in immigration policy say we need to import more well-educated talent if we're to stay competitive. But exactly whose competitiveness are we talking about? Not the competitiveness of, say, American-born computer engineers. Adjusted for inflation, their earnings haven't gone anywhere in years. That's in part because American companies have been sending so much of their high-tech work abroad. Bringing more foreign-born engineers here under an expanded H1-B visa program, or a point system for that matter, will just depress wages even further.”

“We have seen numerous instances in which American businesses have brought in foreign skilled workers after having laid off skilled American workers, simply because they can get the foreign workers more cheaply. It has become a major means of circumventing the costs of paying skilled American workers or the costs of training them.”

Mean Cost Majors Training Workers Immigration Instance American Workers American Business Laid Off Skilled Workers

Author:Ronald Reagan

“Let's face it.., our current [immigration control] system is like a busy intersection without a traffic cop: sure there are laws on the books, but absent enforcement, there are too many accidents.”

Book Faces Law Busy Currents Accidents Immigration Cop Traffic Enforcement Absent Intersections

Author:Ronald Reagan

“Labor force needs and economic conditions are disregarded in our policies. Many aspects of our current policies and procedures are patently wrong. For example, legal immigration has almost no link to U.S. employment needs or economic conditions.”

Needs Force Economic Conditions Policy Example Aspect Labor Currents Immigration Employment Links Procedures Disregarded Legal Immigration Labor Force Policies And Procedures

Author:Ronald Reagan

“Sixty percent of our immigrants are admitted merely because they have relatives here. Many of these people are not immediate relative, but are part of extended families. The nepotistic U.S. policy lets in relatives then lets in the relatives' relatives, and so on, creating an endless and ever growing chain of new immigrants.”

People Growing Policy Creating Percent Endless Immigration Chains Immigrants Relative Sixty Extended Family

Author:Ronald Reagan

“In 1992, the federal Government actually issued more work authorizations to immigrants and temporary foreign workers than the net number of new jobs created by our economy. Something is fundamentally wrong when we have millions of American citizens and legal residents begging for jobs, and yet we are admitting thousands and thousands of immigrants a year with virtually no consideration to our employment needs or their employment skills.”

“Congressional mistakes have dramatically increased immigration through a series of what I believe were ill-advised actions going back to 1965 when the basic notions of our immigration laws were revised. In 1990, Congress opened the floodgates by passing a 35-percent increase in legal immigration.”

Believe Action Law I Believe Mistake Percent Increase Series Notion Congress Ill Immigration Passing Passings Immigration Laws Legal Immigration

Author:Ronald Reagan

“...I believe that it is not enough, as I said, to tinker at the margins of U.S. immigration law... the United States must institute comprehensive reforms that conform to the realities of the era in which we live.”

Believe Said States Enough Reality Law I Believe United United States Immigration Reform Eras Conform Comprehensive Margins Institute Immigration Laws

Author:Ronald Reagan

“We are trying to identify employers that might be [hiring illegal aliens] and to take effective action against them. We're trying to make sure that employers that want to cooperate have a system whereby they can verify the employment status of a person that they are seeking to hire. It is part of a comprehensive initiative in which we look both at the border, at the workplace, at criminal aliens, in an attempt to have a comprehensive effort aimed at stopping illegal immigration while at the same time promoting legal immigration according to principles of due process.”

“Based on my experience as a prosecutor in Miami, illegal immigration is one of the most critical issues facing this country. As a prosecutor, I felt the burden of it. I think what's important... is for the state and the federal government and for local governments to work together to do everything possible to control illegal immigration in a comprehensive way.”

“This is a serious problem of major concern, and we have got to approach it in a way that is consistent with this nation's tradition as a nation of immigrants, focusing on legal immigration, supporting that in the right way and doing everything possible consistent with the Constitution to control illegal immigration, and we will continue in those efforts.”

Way Problem Nations Effort Serious Approach Majors Concern Tradition Constitution Immigration Consistent Immigrants Illegal Right Way Illegal Immigration Legal Immigration

Author:Janet Reno

“I don't think that the economy can absorb a massive flow of immigration that does not relate to the issue of persecution.”

Thinking Doe Economy Issues Flow Immigration Relate Massive Persecution

Author:Janet Reno

“I absolutely believe that those who come here illegally should not be given favoritism or a special route to becoming permanent residents or citizens that's not given to those people who have stayed in line legally. I just think we have to follow the law, I think that's the right course.”

People Thinking Should Believe Law Courses Given Lines Special Becoming Citizens Immigration Permanent Routes Residents Favoritism

Author:Mitt Romney

“I try and make it to the word exactly what I said four years ago and what I said was that those who've come here illegally should not be given a special pathway, a favored pathway to become permanent residents merely by virtue of having come here illegally. That they should be in line with everybody - they should be given the opportunity to get in line with everybody else but they go to the back of the line.”

Should Trying Years Said Opportunity Given Lines Virtue Four Special Years Ago Immigration Permanent Four Years Pathways Residents

Author:Mitt Romney

“When we have had in the past programs that have said that the people who come here illegally are going to get to stay illegally for the rest of their life, that's going to only encourage more people to come here illegally.”

People Said Past Program Immigration

Author:Mitt Romney

“No. 1, it [amnesty for illegal aliens] demoralizes the people that are going through the legal process. It's a very clear signal that why go through the legal process if you can accomplish the same thing through the illegal process? And No. 2, it demoralizes the people enforcing the law. So I am not and I will never support - never have and never will support - any effort to grant blanket legalization amnesty to folks who have entered or stayed in this country illegally.”

People Ifs Country Law Process Effort Support Clear Folks Accomplish Immigration Aliens Illegal Grants Signals Blanket Amnesty Illegal Aliens

Author:Marco Rubio

“...you're never going to have a legal immigration system that works if you grant amnesty.”

Ifs Immigration Grants Amnesty Legal Immigration

Author:Marco Rubio

“There are going to be stories of very young kids that were brought to this country at a very young age who don't even speak Spanish that are going to be sent back to Nicaragua or some other place. And it's gonna feel weird and I understand that. The goal here is to have an immigration policy that works. And if you provide a path for people to enter this country illegally and if they stay here long enough and pay enough in taxes, well let them stay legally...why would anyone come in through the legal process?”

People Ifs Feels Wells Long Country Enough Stories Kids Age Young Speak Process Goal Pay Path Policy Taxes Immigration Young Age Nicaragua Immigration Policy

Author:Marco Rubio

“We've come to a basic agreement, which is that first, people will be legalized. In other words, not citizens, but they’ll be allowed to work, come out of the shadows, travel. Then, we will make sure the border is secure. And we have specific metrics that are in the bill. I’m not going to get into what they are...”

People Firsts Citizens Shadow Bills Immigration Secure Borders Agreement Metrics

Author:Charles Schumer

“No one believed [the 1986 amnesty for illegal aliens] was tough enough on illegal immigration, and it didn't give enough flexibility on future legal immigration.”

Giving Enough Tough Immigration Aliens Illegal Flexibility Illegal Immigration Amnesty Illegal Aliens Legal Immigration

Author:Charles Schumer

“Unfortunately, the administration's plan is an ounce of cure for a pound of problems.”

Problem Plans Immigration Cures Administration Pounds

Author:Charles Schumer

“Our borders are much too porous...We want to keep them open, but we also have to be much more careful. ...Right now, if you get on an airplane [to the U.S.] and claim asylum...when you arrive at Kennedy Airport in New York, they will say to you, 'OK, we'll give you a hearing on whether you deserve asylum. Show up in a year.' And two-thirds of the people never show up.”

People Ifs Want Giving Years Two Shows New York Right Now Deserve Thirds Claims Careful Hearing Immigration Borders Airplane Airports Asylums

Author:Charles Schumer

“This bill [Immigration Reform and Control act of 1986] is a gamble, a riverboat gamble. There is no guarantee that employer sanctions will work or that amnesty will work. We are headed into uncharted waters.”

Water Bills Immigration Reform Guarantees Employers Sanctions Gamble Guarantees That Immigration Reform Amnesty Uncharted Uncharted Waters

Author:Charles Schumer

“How can we vote for a bill [S.744] that our own CBO says will reduce average wages in America for 12 years, increase unemployment for 7 years, and reduce per capita GNP growth over 25 years? A bill that will admit 30 million people to permanent legal status in the next 10 years? That will dramatically increase the annual immigration flow, and will double the guest worker flow?”

People Years America Next Growth Millions Flow Vote Increase Bills Workers Average Immigration Permanent Guests Unemployment Wages Annuals

Author:Jeff Sessions

“This [Gang of Eight bill (S.744)] is far, far too many low-skilled workers that are going to take jobs and pull down wages of people unemployed and underemployed right now.”

People Jobs Right Now Lows Bills Workers Eight Immigration Wages Gang Unemployed Skilled Workers Underemployed

Author:Jeff Sessions

“We need to be protecting American citizens who are here, out of work, and hurting today-minorities, Blacks and Whites and all colors and races that are hurting today with high unemployment, but we seem to be more focused on how we can ram through this Senate a bill that would legalize millions and create an even more robust guest worker program. There are not enough jobs now. Give me a break.”

“Encouraging self-sufficiency must be a bedrock for our immigration policy, with the goal of reducing poverty, strengthening the family, and promoting our economic values. But Administration officials and their policies are working actively against this goal.”

Self Values Goal Poverty Economic Policy Immigration Administration Officials Promoting Reducing Strengthening Self Sufficiency Sufficiency Bedrock Immigration Policy Economic Value Reducing Poverty

Author:Jeff Sessions

“Every time one of us starts talking about more effective immigration controls, somebody else throws up the Statue of Liberty, how we're a nation of immigrants and all of that. The debate takes on tinges of racism, emotion.”

Nations Emotion Talking Liberty Racism Debate Immigration Immigrants Statues Statue Of Liberty

Author:Alan K. Simpson

“It is a travesty, in my mind, for the state and local governments on the one hand to expect the Federal government to reimburse them for costs attributable to illegal immigrants, when on the other hand the State and local governments prohibit their own law enforcement and other officials from cooperating with the Immigration and Naturalization Service to locate or apprehend or expel illegal aliens.”

“Nonetheless, GAO's conclusion that employer sanctions had somehow caused employment discrimination was contradicted by GAO's own Chief of Methodology, who criticized the GAO report. ...here is what she said, 'I believe the truth is that we have no strong causal link between IRCA and discrimination, and in [my] view it is just as likely that the discrimination we found has always been there, or that it is spurious, as that IRCA has caused it.'”

Believe Said Found Strong I Believe Views Truth Is Immigration Discrimination Conclusion Employment Chiefs Reports Links Employers Sanctions Methodology Employment Discrimination

Author:Alan K. Simpson

“So let us take our fair share of the true refugees and act responsible as a government in providing for their necessary expenses. Let us stop skewing the whole process by taking some folks who are not truly refugees in order simply to meet our foreign policy needs or domestic policy demands. There has to be a better way to meet those needs and demands than we are doing now. I think it is embarrassing to all of us who truly know the mission of the Refugee Act.”

“Apparently, union bosses are so distraught about declining enrollments they will stoop to exploiting illegal workers. There is no doubt that this would hurt American workers, who would suddenly face a flooded job market full of cheap foreign labor. It would depress the wages of the American workers and cost them jobs.”

Jobs Faces Hurt Doubt Cost Labor Unions Workers Immigration No Doubt Illegal Boss Depressing Wages Stoops American Workers Distraught Enrollment

Author:Lamar S. Smith

“I can't come up with any good reason why they [the INS] would unilaterally disarm.”

I Can Reason Come Up Immigration Reason Why

Author:Lamar S. Smith

“The INS, by their actions, is telling would-be illegal aliens that if you don't get caught entering the U.S., we'll look the other way so you can stay.”

Ifs Way Looks Would Be Action Caught Immigration Aliens Illegal Entering Illegal Aliens

Author:Lamar S. Smith

“What they are doing is disarming in the battle to stop illegal drugs and illegal aliens.”

Battle Drug Immigration Aliens Illegal Disarming Illegal Aliens Illegal Drugs

Author:Lamar S. Smith

“One of the strengths of this country has been our diversity. One of the strengths of this country has been the fact that we are a nation of immigrants.”

Has Beens Country Facts Nations Diversity Immigration Immigrants

Author:Christine Todd Whitman

“What immigration really does is redistribute wealth away from workers toward employers.”

Doe Wealth Workers Immigration Employers

Author:George J. Borjas

“What, then, is this new man, the American? They are a mixture of English, Scotch, Irish, French, Dutch, Germans, and Swedes. From this promiscuous breed, that race, now called Americans, have arisen.”

Men America Race Calling Immigration Arise Mixtures Dutch Scotch Promiscuous Mixed Race

Author:J. Hector St. John de Crevecoeur

“In times of shrinking expectations,... everyone feels like a victim and pushes away outsiders to defend his own corner.”

Feels Expectations Victim Corners Immigration Outsiders Shrinking

Author:Oscar Handlin

“He doesn't like my name... Of course we couldn't all come over on the Mayflower... But I got here as soon as I could, and I never wanted to go back, because to me it is a great privilege to be an American citizen.”

Wanted Courses Names Citizens Privilege Immigration American Citizens Mayflower

Author:Anton Cermak

“Citizenship to me is more than a piece of paper. Citizenship is also about character. I am an American. We're just waiting for our country to recognize it.”

Country Character Waiting Pieces Paper Immigration Our Country Citizenship

Author:Jose Antonio Vargas

“Observe immigrants not as they come travel-wan up the gang-plank, nor as they issue toil-begrimed from the pit's mouth or mill-gate, but in their gatherings, washed, combed, and in their Sunday best.... They are hirsute, low-browed, big-faced persons of obviously low mentality... They simply look out of place in black clothes and stiff collar, since clearly they belong in skins, in wattled huts at the close of the Great Ice Age. These ox-like men are descendants of those who always stayed behind.”

“By balancing the needs of families and employers, and by extending a safe haven to those fleeing persecution, our immigration policy serves its historic purpose. Freedom and opportunity is the cornerstone of American society, and immigrants continue to embody that freedom.”

Needs Purpose Opportunity Havens Policy Safe Immigration Immigrants Persecution Historic Employers Extending Cornerstones American Society Fleeing Safe Haven Immigration Policy

Author:Spencer Abraham

“The question taxpayers keep asking is 'why should we pay for services for those who have broken the law to get here?' They should not, nor should they be forced to be the Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) and School District of the world. This is evidenced in every poll I have seen indicating that every ethnic group is opposed to illegal immigration and supports enforcement of the law.”

“We need to deport these criminals and negotiate agreements requiring that they do their time in their own countries.”

Needs Country Criminals Immigration Agreement

Author:Kathleen Brown

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