2016 Candidates Stance on Immigration—Ben Carson
Campaign Suspended
Official Immigration Plan
We The People: A Commonsense Plan to Secure the Border, Reform Immigration, and Restore the Rule of Law | Official Candidate Website
FAIR’s Analysis
FAIR offers the following analysis on five key immigration issues: amnesty; legal immigration; border security; interior enforcement; and taxpayer benefits to illegal aliens.
Amnesty
Carson says it is not feasible to root out and deport every illegal immigrant residing in this country. “My administration will give illegal immigrants a six-month period to register with the federal government. If they do not register, they will be violating the law and subject to apprehension and prosecution as criminals. If they register in that six-month window and have an acceptable record, they could become eligible for guest worker status by paying a back tax penalty, continuing to pay future taxes, providing proof of sponsorship by an employer and submitting for regular review and renewal of the worker permit. Under this process, every illegal immigrant would be accounted for and processed according to their circumstances. Illegal immigrants who become guest workers will not, however, receive citizenship and everything that comes with that privilege, such as voting rights.”
Legal Immigration
Carson has that he will re-evaluate the number of legal immigrants accepted into the United States. Further as president, Carson “will reprioritize the categories of legal immigrants we accept into this country, putting more emphasis on attracting the skillsets and resources the American economy needs while protecting American workers.” Carson would create a system of renewable work permits—the issuance of such permits would be dependent on a specific job with a specific employer. He has said that when it is time for the permit to be renewed and no job is available, the guest worker will have to leave. His plan does not include anything about the numbers of legal immigrants.
Border Security
Carson says that the border is our first line of defense against illegal immigration. He advocates installing layered fencing and other appropriate barriers backed by robust surveillance; increasing the number of U.S. Border Patrol agents to respond to incursions and to enlarge and strengthen the coverage area; deputizing local law enforcement to provide additional manpower along the border; and deploying the National Guard along the southern border as required. Further, Carson says he will also provide increased resources for more effectively screening cargo and passengers at all ports of entry, and for ending the current practice of catching and releasing violators.
Interior Enforcement
As President, Carson would make E-Verify mandatory and permanent, and apply it to both existing and new employees. Carson also wants to end sanctuary cities but has not said that he will block federal funds for them.
Taxpayer Benefits to Illegal Aliens
Carson acknowledges that illegal aliens “have severely taxed America’s public services and local and state budgets. U.S. taxpayers have borne the social and financial burden of providing for public education, emergency room care, police, firefighters, roads and highways and other services for people who have entered our country illegally.” Although not included in his immigration plan, Carson has previously said that he will turn off the spigot that dispenses goodies, including employment. “If there is nothing to come for, then people won’t come.”