Illegal Immigration

Perhaps no issue is more divisive, drives more rhetoric and inflames more Republicans than illegal immigration. We all know there is a problem but few have stepped forward with honest, practical solutions. Few have had the courage to examine the depths of the problem and create systematic changes - instead they focus on sound bites and talking points.

For far too long politicians have tried to put a band-aid on a huge problem...but a band-aid doesn't heal a wound, it only covers it.

Illegal immigration impacts nearly every part of our lives. From crowded schools, illegal drugs, skyrocketing healthcare costs and weakened national security--illegal immigration is an enormous concern. America must have a sustainable plan to deal with the problem and the discipline to implement it.

Solving this problem won't happen overnight, but it can happen in the near term with a Congress willing to be honest and disciplined in its approach.

1. Control our borders and enforce our laws. By shutting down the steady flow at the border, we will immediately make our nation more secure from the threat of terrorism, more financially able to meet the needs of our citizens and send a message to those inside and outside our borders that America is the Land of the Free - for law abiding citizens.

2. We must punish those who knowingly hire an illegal immigrant and develop an easy system for small businesses in Arkansas and across the country to access legal status for prospective employees. As an ardent supporter of limited government and an opponent of efforts to grow federal spending, I stand ready to take a leadership role in creating a system to help the small businesses of America hire our best and brightest. Government can and should have a role in a system that allows American companies to stop worrying about expansive government regulations and start worrying more about how to grow their businesses, create new jobs and get our economy back on track.

3. Cut off all federal dollars to any entity that provides amnesty to illegal immigrants. No federal money for highways, healthcare, infrastructure or political pork. No money, period.

4. Create a legitimate and effective visa program and revise the number of visas for immigrants with special skills. We must establish a program that does not take away jobs from hardworking Americans who may be seeking them. With record high unemployment we cannot have our nation’s immigration policies worsening an already dire situation. Again, we want to encourage people who want to be a part of our culture, our communities and our workforce but we must demand that it be done legally and in a manner that protects the financial and national security of this country.

5. Enforce our laws. While it is unrealistic to round up every illegal immigrant in America for deportation, our law enforcement community must be given the tools to identify and address instances of illegal immigrants committing violent crimes and our federal government must be willing to send those who violate our laws home immediately. Without exception.

Few argue that illegal immigration is an enormous problem right here in Arkansas, but finding those with the courage to offer comprehensive solutions is difficult. Arkansas can count on Princella Smith to stand up and lead the fight against Illegal Immigration with commonsense solutions that will work.