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Ron Paul on Immigration

Immigration is quickly becoming one of the most talked about domestic issues in this presidential election. How to not only deal with immigration policy going forward but how to address illegal immigrants that currently live in the United States has become an emotional and vibrant debate. This topic includes information about candidate positions on the US-Mexico border fence, federal funding for sanctuary cities, and methods for dealing with illegal immigrants currently in the United States.

The issues

Ron Paul opposes a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants

"I'm not for giving them automatic citizenship... I don't want to promise them easy citizenship."

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If we reward lawbreakers who enter this country illegally with citizenship, then any new laws Congress might pass likewise can be ignored. Reform must begin with a new mentality that immigration laws will be enforced.

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[Paul] supported strict House immigration overhaul legislation that did not provide a path to citizenship for some illegal immigrants.

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Ron Paul strongly opposes a temporary guest worker program

I remain very skeptical about the idea of so-called comprehensive immigration reform and the Senate compromise now being discussed. I will oppose any legislation that in any way, shape, or form grants amnesty to the millions of people who are in this country illegally. I have advocated that we should tighten citizenship requirements, and I still believe that. Moreover, the argument that we need to start a guest worker program is simply a shell game, we already have a generous guest worker program that the American people support. Support for such a program should not be used as a back door to amnesty for illegals.

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Ron Paul is neutral on the construction of a fence along the US and Mexico border

Q: You voted to support that 700-mile fence along the border with Mexico. Is there a need for a similar fence along the border with Canada? PAUL: No. The fence was my weakest reason for voting for that, but enforcing the law was important, and border security is important. And we've talked about amnesty, which I'm positively opposed to. If you subsidize something, you get more of it. We subsidize illegal immigration, we reward it by easy citizenship, either birthright or amnesty.

2007 GOP debate at Saint Anselm College Jun 3, 2007

Voted YES on the construction of a 700-mile fence along the US-Mexican border

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Ron Paul is neutral on cutting federal funding to sanctuary cities that don't enforce immigration law

Voted YES to pass a bill that would require hospitals to gather and report information on possible illegal aliens before hospitals can be reimbursed for treating them. The bill would also make employers liable for the reimbursements if an undocumented employee seeks medical attention, unless the employer meets particular conditions for exemption. The bill would specify that hospitals aren't required to provide care to undocumented aliens if they can be transported to their home country without a significant chance of worsening their condition.

Undocumented Alien Emergency Medical Assistance Amendments; Bill HR 3722 ; vote number 2004-182 on May 20, 2004

Ron Paul is neutral on mandating that employers check their workers' immigration status

Rep. Paul voted YES on the final passage of H.R. 4437 which would increase interior enforcement by requiring employers to use the Basic Pilot program to verify that new hires have the legal right to work in the United States

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Ron Paul strongly supports English as the official national language

MR. BLITZER: I see people raising their hands. But the question was, I'd only like those to speak up who believe that English should not necessarily be the official language of the United States. Is there anyone else who stands with Senator McCain specifically on that question? (Paul does not respond)

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