Herman Cain on Immigration

Summary

Herman Cain is a strong supporter of US laws and the the validity of US immigration laws. He has been consistent in his views that those who seek to come here, must do so legally and that we cannot award illegal behavior with citizenship. He has repeatedly stated that a path to citizenship already exists and those who seek to come to this nation must use it.

From April of 2006 to June of 2007, Herman Cain wrote a series of op-ed discussing immigration rallies, a proposed comprehensive reform bill, and the attitudes of illegal aliens in the US. In one such op-ed, Mr Cain referenced claims being made by illegal alien supporters that their efforts to gain rights was equivalent to the civil rights struggles of African Americans. He noted that the leaders of the civil rights movement did not seek extra-constitutional rights or benefits, but merely sought the protection of their right to participate fully in society and government with the vote, and to overturn the discriminatory laws that prevented them from participating fully in the economy. He stated that the leaders of the movement to secure rights for illegal aliens – as well as their supporters in Congress – want to undermine and destroy the Constitution and the rights it guarantees legal U.S. citizens.

In a second op-ed, Mr Cain discussed the entitlement mentatlity being fostered amongst illegal aliens and the belief that they can obtain free health care through the emergency medical system. He noted that this was driving up the cost of health care for all Americans who already pay the costs of health care for those illegal aliens.

A third artilcle was written as a letter to an illegal alien from a slave. The letter discusses the desire of the slave to be treated equally and the desire of illegal alien supporters to have a separate legal system in which they abide by the rules they choose to and ignore the others. He stated that their illegal status is a non-starter for obtaining rights, benefits or a short cut to citizenship.

In two additional op-eds, Herman Cain pointed out the need to have one culture in the US and the assistance that the US gives to illegal aliens in violating other US laws. He notes that the US does not prosecute illegal aliens for identity theft or any other violations relating their illegal employment.

In a final op-ed, Herman Cain noted his opposition to the 2007 Comprehensive Immigration reform plan and noted four things that congress could do concerning immigration. These items were to secure the borders convincingly, expand the temporary worker program for skilled legal immigrants, establish a reliable legal immigrant identification program and then propose a reasonable program for the 12 million (and counting) illegal persons who broke our laws to get here, but not amnesty.

In additional interviews, Mr Cain stated that comprehensive immigration reform was a "do nothing" policy which would not solve the problem of illegal immigration. He stated that a Cain administration would do three things: secure the border; enforce the laws; promote the existing path to citizenship.

 

Civil and Illegal Rights

In April of 2006, Herman Cain wrote an article using the backdrop of recent marches by illegal aliens to discuss the difference between civil rights of citizens and the rights of those in the country illegally.

 

Illegal Entitlement

In April of 2006, Herman Cain wrote an article discussing the recent movement to grant rights and citizenship to people living in the US illegally.

 

Letter from a Slave

In May of 2006, Herman Cain wrote an article which compared the evolution of slaves in America into citizens to that of a modern day illegal immigrant.

 

One Culture

In April of 2006, Herman Cain wrote an article discussing the affects of introducing and allowing the cultures of other nations to come into the US without adapting to the US culture.

 

Government and Identity Thieves

In December of 2006, Herman Cain wrote an article discussing the methods in which the government assists identity thieves by refusing to enforce immigration laws.

 

Response to Immigration Bill

In June of 2007, Herman Cain wrote an article discussing the recently proposed immigration bill. He stated that the bill was full of bad ideas and that there needed to be a fence on the border.

 

Daily Caller Interview

In October of 2010 Herman Cain was interviewed by the Daily Caller and spoke about immigration. He stated that current US laws should be enforced.

 

Sean Hannity Show

On December 28, 2010 Herman Cain filled in for Sean Hannity on his radio show and spoke about the need to fix immigration. He states that the border needs to be secure, and existing laws need to be enforced. He then states that no new path to citizenship needs to be established as one already exists.

Another thing we need to do in terms of common sense solutions; fix the immigration problems. That's right, I said problems. Whenever you hear the terminology "Comprehensive immigration reform," that is code for "we don't know what to do." So they just let the status quo keep on going. They let it keep on going. 

We got three problems: we need to secure the border, we need to enforce the laws that are already there, and promote the path to citizenship that is already there. We don't need a new path to citizenship, let's promote the one we already have.

 

Campaign Event

In January of 2011, Mr Cain spoke at a campaign event in Nevada and stated that he believed that the border should be supported securing the border, enforcing current immigration laws, and promoting the "path to citizenship" already in place and not creating a new one.

 

Race42012 Interview

In February of 2011, Herman Cain was interviewed by race42012 and reiterated his position that current immigration laws should be enforced.

MRN: If elected, how would a Cain administration deal with border security and illegal immigration?

HC: First things first: the term “comprehensive immigration reform” tossed around by liberals is simply code for “do nothing” which becomes amnesty.

There are 3 steps to solving our illegal immigration problem: securing the border (we put a man on the moon, so this isn’t that hard!); enforce the laws; promote the existing path to citizenship.

 

South Carolina Debate

On May 5, 2011 Herman Cain participated in the Republican debate in South Carolina. He expresses his support for allowing states to do what the federal government will not do on immigration.

 

New Hampshire Debate

In June of 2011, Herman Cain participated in the Presidential debate in New Hampshire and was asked about immigration. He notes his support for abiding by US laws on immigration.

 

Iowa Debate

In August of 2011, Herman Cain participated in the Republican Presidential debate in Ames, Iowa. He stated that the border needed to be secured and the legal immigration path in place should be used.

 

Palmetto Freedom Forum

In August of 2011, Herman Cain participated in the Palmetto Freedom Forum and was asked about immigration. He stated that he opposed amnesty in every form and that his immigration policy would favor immigrants who were using the legal immigration process.

 

Reagan Debate

In September of 2011, Herman Cain participated in the Republcian debate at the Reagan Library. He talks about his plan for immigration.

CAIN: Let's make sure -- let's solve all of the problems. It's not one problem.

I do believe we can secure the border with a combination of boots on the ground, technology, and a fence, but we've got three other problems. And to get to it, we've got to secure the border.

Secondly, let's promote the path to citizenship that's already there. We don't need a new one, we just need to clean up the bureaucracy that's slowing the process down and discouraging people.

The third thing we need to do, enforce the laws that are there, and the way we do it, empower the states. I believe that the people closest to the problem are the best ones to be able to solve that problem. Empower the states to do what the federal government hasn't done, can't do, and won't do. This is how we solve the entire problem.

 

The Western Debate

In October of 2011, Herman Cain participated in the Western Debate in Las Vegas. He notes his support for enforcing US immigration laws.

 

CNN National Security Debate

In November of 2011, Herman Cain participated in the national security debate on CNN. He outlines his immigration plan.

 

2012 Presidential Campaign Website Statements

 

References

[1] Website: The Daily Caller Article: Potential presidential candidate Herman Cain speaks to TheDC about where he stands on domestic, fore Author: Matthew Boyle Accessed on: 05/09/2011

[2] Website: Race42012 Article: Race42012 Interview with Herman Cain Author: Matthew R. Newman Accessed on: 05/09/2011

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