Monday night I sent Tweets to both major party candidates for the Indiana 9th District Congressional 2012 election. I asked both Shelli Yoder (D) and incumbent Todd Young (R) if they would clarify or expand their positions on immigration. Between President Obama’s recent decision to grant work visas to certain populations among the undocumented and the Supreme Court ruling, it seemed a timely question. Besides, the segment on Immigration in the Young v. Yoder comparison cheat sheet I had previously posted was too thin to be useful to any voter and continued news alerts and internet searches had continued to prove barren.
The next day Shelli Yoder had e-mailed me a statement on her position on immigration. She has very graciously permitted me to publish it here. And so, in full, here is the complete statement that I received:
“The Supreme Court’s decision Monday striking down most of Arizona’s controversial immigration law on grounds that the issue is exclusively federal is another reminder that Congress is not doing its job. Congress’ failure to act has created a state-by-state response that breeds fear and racial profiling and inconsistent public policy. It is long past time for Congress to stop the partisan bickering and do the people’s work. I support solutions in immigration reform that keep America secure and preserve basic American values.
1. Comprehensive immigration reform must secure the borders.
2. Comprehensive immigration reform must strengthen enforcement of our laws in America’s interior.
3. Comprehensive immigration must include a temporary worker program that relieves pressure on our borders.
4. Comprehensive immigration must include a provision that allows for residency for certain undocumented young people who were brought to the United States as children by a parent or relative and have served in the military or are attending college (the so-called “DREAM kids”).
As 9th District Congresswoman, I will work for a fair and effective immigration reform bill which accomplishes those four priorities.
With regard to President Obama’s executive order on immigration, I see this as good news for the “DREAM kids” and their families. The order gives a group of young people who grew up as Americans, some of whom have defended our country in the military, a measure of hope for the future. But the order is not a permanent solution. It is a short-term stopgap that underscores the fact Congress is not doing its job. It is long past time for Congress to stop the partisan bickering and pass comprehensive immigration reform. I support bi-partisan solutions in immigration reform that keep America secure and preserve basic American values. Such reform should include a provision that allows a path to citizenship for young people who were brought to the United States as children by a parent or relative and, are of good character, and have served in the military or attended college.”
I am very grateful to Shelli Yoder for taking the time to send me this statement and allowing me to publish it here. If the incumbent candidate Todd Young responds, I will publish his answer as well. I will continue to update the chart as we head into the election and will, hopefully soon, be posting something about the Libertarian candidate in the race, Jason Sharp.
