Governor Johnson believes in open borders and amnesty for illegal aliens. He has stated that the border should be dealt with on a free market basis to make it as easy as possible to come to the US and start working. He has proposed an immigration plan that proposes establishing better border security, establishing a better working relationship with Mexico
Establish real and cost-effective border security.rn
Continue to encourage and allow legal immigration.
Support current border deterrents and security measures.
Create a temporary guest worker program that makes sense.rn
Expand and streamline a market based temporary guest worker program.
Enact an application and tracking procedure for guest workers, such as an e-verify system. Procedures must be quick, simple and efficient in providing documentation information, and must meet the needs of both employers and willing workers.
Require guest workers to not only pay income taxes, but also provide proof of adequate health care coverage through insurance, secured savings programs, bonds, or a combination thereof.
Allow spouses and dependents to enter the U.S. with guest workers, but only with proof of adequate health coverage and subject to the same background checks and health requirements.
Impose meaningful enforcement of immigration laws.rn
Establish procedures and devote adequate resources that are sufficient to actually identify illegal immigrants and deport them. Implement a “one strike, you’re out” policy toward illegal immigrants with regard to future eligibility for guest worker programs.
Impose and enforce sanctions and fines for noncompliance with immigration laws by employers that are sufficiently costly, ensuring that the risks simply are not worth the rewards.
Enact a reality-based process for current illegal workers to earn legal status.rn
Allow a two-year grace period during which illegal immigrants already in the U.S. can come forward, pay any taxes owed, provide proof of consistent employment, pass a criminal background check, and apply for guest worker status.
Reduce border crime.rn
Address the root cause of most border crime by legalizing marijuana, thereby removing 70% of the current cross-border illegal drug trade and replacing cartel and prohibition-related violence with legal, regulated and nonviolent commerce.
Achieve a better working relationship with Mexico.rn
Stimulate cross-border investment through a robust, above-board and legal guest worker program.
Strengthen the Mexican government by dramatically weakening the cartels through the legalization of marijuana.
Aggressively negotiate mutually beneficial agreements with Mexico regarding such issues as funds transfers, taxation of income earned in the U.S. by guest workers, and deportation and incarceration of Mexican nationals arrested in the United States.
2010 Governor's Race Comments
In June of 2010, Governor Johnson was interviewed when discussing the 2010 New Mexico Governor's race. He stated that the border should be dealt with on a free market basis and that it should be as easy as possible for someone to come to the US and begin working.
Our America Initiative
Governor Johnson started the America Initiative in early 2011. On that website, he notes he views on immigration and states that the best way to solve illegal immigration is to make it as easy as possible to become US citizens so that they can become taxpayers.
Immigration
Immigration and border security are becoming important issues.
We need a comprehensive plan that provides a solution that we can afford—something that really works!
United States authorities do need to know who is crossing our borders and be able to prevent criminals from entering the country. However, security measures along the borders are just not enough —they do not completely solve the immigration problem. We need a comprehensive immigration plan. It is time to implement an immigration policy that allows for better documentation and more easily obtainable permits for temporary guest workers to fill jobs that Americans refuse to take.
Immigration into the United States by ambitious, willing workers and their families is a good thing. Not only is it a historical and energizing part of American culture and experience, it is vital to our economy. These positive benefits should not be sacrificed or reduced in any solution to stop illegal immigration. However, a clear distinction must be made between illegal and legal immigration.
In reality, true and cost-effective border security will only be achieved through a common sense combination of technology, a market-based guest worker program, and a safe, but efficient system for the legal flow of immigrants to and from the United States.
Governor Johnson’s immigration proposal focuses on the following six key points:
Establish real and cost-effective border security.rn
Continue to encourage and allow legal immigration.
Support current border deterrents and security measures.
Create a temporary guest worker program that makes sense.rn
Expand and streamline a market based temporary guest worker program.
Enact an application and tracking procedure for guest workers, such as an e-verify system. Procedures must be quick, simple and efficient in providing documentation information, and must meet the needs of both employers and willing workers.
Require guest workers to not only pay income taxes, but also provide proof of adequate health care coverage through insurance, secured savings programs, bonds, or a combination thereof.
Allow spouses and dependents to enter the U.S. with guest workers, but only with proof of adequate health coverage and subject to the same background checks and health requirements.
Impose meaningful enforcement of immigration laws.rn
Establish procedures and devote adequate resources that are sufficient to actually identify illegal immigrants and deport them. Implement a “one strike, you’re out” policy toward illegal immigrants with regard to future eligibility for guest worker programs.
Impose and enforce sanctions and fines for noncompliance with immigration laws by employers that are sufficiently costly, ensuring that the risks simply are not worth the rewards.
Enact a reality-based process for current illegal workers to earn legal status.rn
Allow a two-year grace period during which illegal immigrants already in the U.S. can come forward, pay any taxes owed, provide proof of consistent employment, pass a criminal background check, and apply for guest worker status.
Reduce border crime.rn
Address the root cause of most border crime by legalizing marijuana, thereby removing 70% of the current cross-border illegal drug trade and replacing cartel and prohibition-related violence with legal, regulated and nonviolent commerce.
Achieve a better working relationship with Mexico.rn
Stimulate cross-border investment through a robust, above-board and legal guest worker program.
Strengthen the Mexican government by dramatically weakening the cartels through the legalization of marijuana.
Aggressively negotiate mutually beneficial agreements with Mexico regarding such issues as funds transfers, taxation of income earned in the U.S. by guest workers, and deportation and incarceration of Mexican nationals arrested in the United States.
NRO Interview
In January of 2011 Governor Johnson was interviewed by NRO and responded to immigration questions by stating that we needed better documentation for those who are here illegally and we need to make it easier for those who come here legally. He mocks the idea that illegal immigration is causing problems in the US, and states that amnesty does not mean citizenship.
South Carolina Debate
In May of 2011, Governor Johnson participated in the Republican primary debate in South Carolina. He discusses his plan to grant amnesty and give a work visa. He states that there would be a grace period for those here to participate in a grace period to get a work visa.
2012 Presidential Campaign Website Statements
IMMIGRATION
America is a land of immigrants. Legal immigration should focus on making it easier and simpler for willing workers to come here with a temporary work visa, pay taxes, contribute to society, and fill jobs as the market demands.
As the former governor of a southern border state, I know fences and walls do not keep out illegal immigrants. Real border security means knowing who is coming here and why.
With workable employer verification systems, smarter border enforcement, and common sense, a national problem can be turned into a national benefit.
The U.S. must adopt two approaches:
1 SIMPLIFY LEGAL IMMIGRATION
LEGAL IMMIGRATION STRENGTHENS AMERICA'S ECONOMY AND THE social fabric. It will also strengthen our relationship with our southern neighbor Mexico.
It should be easier for a potential immigrant to get a work visa. Potential immigrants should pass a background check, and then be issued a Social Security card, which would allow them to pay income, payroll, and all other taxes workers pay.
There should be a two-year grace period for illegal immigrants to attain work visas so they can continue contributing to America and begin taking part in American society openly.
Immigrants with temporary work visas should have access to the normal procedures for gaining permanent status and citizenship, and should be able to bring their families to the U.S. after demonstrating ability to support them financially.
2 TACKLE ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION
REAL BORDER SECURITY MEANS KNOWING WHO IS coming here and why.
Legalizing marijuana will reduce border violence and illegal immigration significantly, decreasing the U.S.-Mexican drug trade by 70 percent. Without a monopoly on the marijuana trade, Mexican drug cartels will have vastly diminished incentives to violate U.S. law and risk capture.
Streamline the legal immigration process to reduce illegal immigration and allow the U.S. to know who enters the country and for what reasons.
Enforce a 'one strike, you're out' rule for immigrants who circumvent the streamlined work visa process.
Impose and enforce sanctions on employers for noncompliance with immigration laws.
