Senator Santorum has been a consistent supporter of US immigration laws. He opposes benefits for illegal aliens, comprehensive immigration reform, and supports a border fence and making english the national language. However, he has hinted at providing some method of "dealing with" those already in the US.
In a losing 2006 re-election campaign, Senator Santorum promoted his support of border security and touted his opponent's views as amnesty. Senator Santorum opposed the 2006 attempt to achieve comprehensive immigration reform and cited that position often in the election cycle. Senator Santorum also cited his opposition to plans to grant social security and other benefits to illegal aliens who have lived in the US throughout the election.
In the 2012 Presidential election, Senator Santorum has expressed support for a border fence, and english as the national language. He was also critical of discussion hinting at granting amnesty to illegal aliens in exchange for border security in the future. However, when directly asked what he would do with the illegal aliens already in the US, Senator Santorum stated that we would have to "deal with" those people seperately.
Campaign Ad
In June of 2006, Senator Santorum ran a campaign ad opposing Robert Casey, his Democrat opponent. The ad claimed that Robert Casey was in favor of amnesty for illegal immigrants.
Hannity and Colmes Appearance
On September 20, 2006 Senator Santorum appeared on Hannity and Colmes to discuss the Secure Fence Act of 2006. He touts the differences on immigration between him and his opponent. He states that his opponent supports benefits for illegal aliens that forge documents. He states that we don't have to give citizenship to illegal aliens to have a valid immigration program.
2006 Senate Debate
In September 2006, Senator Santorum participated in a debate with Robert Casey for the Senate race. He spoke about the differences between him and the other candidate, and his vote against amnesty through a comprehensive immigration bill. He also notes his opponents support for social security benefits for illegal aliens and his opposition to it.
South Carolina Debate
In May of 2011, Senator Santorum participated in the Republican Primary in South Carolina. He is asked about getting the support of hispanic voters. He answers by stating his support for english as the national language and legal versus illegal immigration. He also notes that there was a year with full Democratic control of the House, Senate, and Presidency and failed to even vote on an immigration deal.
New Hampshire Debate
In June of 2011, Senator Santorum participated in the Republican debate in New Hampshire. He was asked about stopping illegal aliens from receiving benefits and responded that he agreed that illegal aliens should not be entitled to such benefits. He states that there should be no mandate on states to provide benefits to illegal aliens.
QUESTION: As a naturalized American citizen who came here legally, I would like to know how you, as America -- as president, plan to prevent illegal immigrants from using our health care, educational, or welfare systems?
KING: Senator Santorum, why don't you lead off on that one?
SANTORUM: Well, I'm the son of a legal immigrant in this country and -- and believe in legal immigration. That is a great wellspring of -- of strength for our country.
But we cannot continue to provide -- the federal government should not require states to provide government services. And I have consistently voted against that and believe that we are, unfortunately -- my grandfather came to this country -- I announced in Somerset County. He didn't come here because he was guaranteed a government benefit. He came here because he wanted freedom.
And I think most people who come to this country -- certainly all people who come here legally -- want it because they wanted the opportunities of this country. And that's what we should be offering. We should not be offering to people -- particularly those who broke the law to come here or overstayed their visa -- we should not be offering government benefits.
Iowa Campaign Event
At a campaign event in Iowa, Senator Santorum discussed President Obama's recent statements on immigration. He criticizes President Obama's recent statements that the border is secure and states that as President, he would not act on immigration reform until the southern border is secure.
Reagan Debate
In September of 2011, Senator Santorum participated in the Republican debate at the Reagan library. He discusses his plan for immigration if elected.
HARRIS: Senator, your solution?
SANTORUM: Well, my solution is very similar to Newt Gingrich's.
Look, I'm the son of an Italian immigrant. I think immigration is one of the great things that has made this country the dynamic country that it continues to be, people who are drawn because of the ideals of this country. And so we should not have a debate talking about how we don't want people to come to this country, but we want them to come here like my grandfather and my father came here.
They made sacrifices. They came in the 1920s. There were no promises. There were no government benefits.
They came because they wanted to be free and they wanted to be good law-abiding citizens. So we have to have a program in place that sets that parameter that says, you're going to come to this country, come here according to the rules. It's a very good first step that the first thing you do here is a legal act, not an illegal act.
HARRIS: A quick follow-up, 30 seconds.
So there are 11 million people that -- fait accompli. They're here. What do you do with them if you are able to secure the border?
SANTORUM: Well, I think we can have the discussion, that whether what we do with people, how long they've been here, whether they had other types of records. But to have that discussion right now and pull the same trick that was pulled in 1986 -- we said, well, we'll promise to do this if you do that -- no more. We are going to secure the border first, and that's the most important thing to do, then we'll have the discussion afterwards.
TEA Party Debate
In September of 2011, Senator Santorum participated in the TEA party debate in Tamp Bay, Florida. He was asked about the his immigration policy and states that he opposes amnesty and forcing people to leave..
BLITZER: Senator Santorum, maybe 11 million, 12 million illegal immigrants in the United States. What would you do?
SANTORUM: I've said this from the very beginning. What -- I'm the son of an Italian immigrant. I believe in immigration. I believe that immigration is an important part of the lifeblood of this country.
But what we have is a problem of an unsecure border. Unlike Governor Perry, I believe we need to build more fence. I need -- I believe that we need to secure the border using technology and more personnel. And until we build that border, we should neither have storm troopers come in and throw people out of the country nor should we provide amnesty.
What we should do is enforce the laws in this country with respect to employers, and we should secure the border. And then after the border is secured, then we can deal with the problem that are in this country. But I -- I think it's very important that we understand and we explain to folks that immigration is an important lifeblood of this country, something that I strongly support and something that we have to do legally if we're going to have -- have respect for the law.
...
BLITZER: Let me just take this quick question from Twitter, and then I want to stay on this subject. What are the candidates doing to attract the Latino voters? Go ahead, Senator Santorum.
SANTORUM: Well, I mean, what Governor Perry's done is he provided in-state tuition for -- for illegal immigrants. Maybe that was an attempt to attract the illegal vote -- I mean, the Latino voters.
But you track Latino voters by talking about the importance of immigration in this country. You talk about the importance of -- as -- as Newt has talked about for many years, having English as the -- as the official language of this country.
(APPLAUSE)
And I say that...
(APPLAUSE)
I say that as, again, my -- my father and grandfather came to this country not speaking a word of English, but it was the greatest gift to my father to have to learn English so he could assimilate into this society.
We're a melting pot, not a salad bowl. And we need to continue that tradition.
Fox News / Google Debate
On September of 2011, Senator Santorum participated in the Fox News / Google debate. He agrees that Governor Perry is soft on illegal immigration and states that granting in-state tuition to illegal aliens should be stopped.
WALLACE: Senator Santorum --
SANTORUM: Chris, no one here is suggesting --
WALLACE: Senator Santorum, you don't need to butt in because I was about to ask you a question on this exact issue.
You say that Governor Perry's opposition to building a border along the entire fence shows that he is a "big government moderate."
Question: Is he soft on illegal immigration?
SANTORUM: Governor Perry, no one is suggesting up here that the students that are illegal in this country shouldn't be able to go to a college and university. I think you are sort of making this leap that, unless we subsidize this, the taxpayers subsidize it, they won't be able to go.
Well, most folks who want go to the state of Texas or any other state out of state have to pay the full boat (ph). The point is, why are we subsidizing?
Not that they can't go. They can go. They just have to borrow money, find other sources to be able to go. And why should they be given preferential treatment as an illegal in this country? That's what we're saying.
(APPLAUSE)
SANTORUM: And so, yes, I would say that he is soft on illegal immigration. I think the fact that he doesn't want to build a fence -- he gave a speech in 2001 where he talked about, buy national health insurance between Mexico and Texas. I mean, I don't even think Barack Obama would be for buy national health insurance.
So I think he's very weak on this issue of American sovereignty and protecting our borders and not being a magnet for illegal immigration, yes.
WALLACE: Governor Perry, 30 seconds to respond, sir.
PERRY: I've got one question for him. Have you ever even been to the border with Mexico?
SANTORUM: Yes.
PERRY: I'm surprised if you have, but you weren't paying attention, because the idea that you --
SANTORUM: Well, the answer is, yes, I have.
PERRY: -- are going to build a wall, a fence for 1,200 miles, and then go 800 miles more to Tijuana, does not make sense. You put the boots on the ground. We know how to make this work. You put the boots on the ground. You put the aviation assets --
SANTORUM: But it's not working, Governor.
PERRY: -- in the ground. No, it's not working because the federal government has not --
SANTORUM: But you said we know how it works. Is it working in Texas?
PERRY: The federal government has not engaged in this at all. When I'm the president of the United States, I'll promise you one thing --
SANTORUM: But you're saying you put the assets there. Has it worked in Texas?
PERRY: -- we will put the assets on the ground --
SANTORUM: You said you have.
PERRY: -- the boots on the ground --
BAIER: Senator Santorum, let him finish, please.
PERRY: -- the aviation assets on the ground, and we will stop illegal immigration, we will stop the drug cartels, and we will make America secure.
SANTORUM: Can you answer the question? Is it working?
WALLACE: Well, you know, you asked your question, he gave his answer, sir.
SANTORUM: OK.
WALLACE: Sometimes we are frustrated with all of you answering questions.
Conversation with the Candidate
In December of 2011, Senator Santorum was interviewed on the PBS Show "Conversation with the Candidates." He was asked about immigration and states that the US must be a nation of laws and we cannot grant amnesty to those already in the country while telling those who are coming here legally that they will get lesser treatment.
Voting Record
The Secure Fence Act
The Secure Fence Act passed the Senate in 2006, and required the director of homeland security to take operational control over certain areas along the border in an effort to cut down on both violence and illegal immigration. The enjoyed broad support and passed the Senate in an 80-19 vote. Rick Santorum voted in favor of the Secure Fence Act.
Rick Santorum voted in favor of the Secure Fence Act.
Immigration Reform Act of 2006
In 2006, the Senate attempted to pass an immigration reform bill. S 2611 passed the Senate in a 62-36 vote with the support of about 40% of the Republicans and all but 4 Democrats. Rick Santorum voted against the Immigration Reform Act of 2006.
Rick Santorum voted against the Immigration Reform Act of 2006.
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish: (1) an alternative temporary agricultural worker process pilot program based upon a labor condition attestation filed by an employer and accepted by the appropriate State agency; and (2) a nonimmigrant visa category for such aliens. Sets forth program provisions.
