Baldermann Targets Illegal Immigrants

Press Release

Congressional candidate Tim Baldermann believes the nation must make it unappealing to enter the U.S. illegally.

"Cut off their source of employment, and not provide them with the benefits of hard-working taxpayers," he said Tuesday of illegal immigrants.
"There are people trying to emigrate here legally, and we need to make sure this process is efficient so those trying to do what's right have opportunity to do that."

The New Lenox mayor - one of three candidates on the Republican ticket in the Feb. 5 primary for the seat of retiring Congressman Jerry Weller, R-Morris - is proposing a four-point plan to deal with the nation's illegal immigration crisis.

His plan would secure borders, crack down on corporations that knowingly employ illegal immigrants, upgrade naturalization ser-vices, and reject amnesty for lawbreakers.

"I will not support am-nesty programs, which reward people who have come here illegally and not in any way, shape, or form trying to do the right thing," he said.

"It goes against the American grain."

Baldermann proposes Congress finish the Secure Fence Act of 2006, which requires 700 miles of double-layered, reinforced fencing along the southwestern border, plus cameras, ground sensors, unmanned aerial vehicles, and more federal Border Patrol agents with increased authority.

The crackdown would take away the incentives immigrants have for entering the country illegally - employment and taxpayer-funded benefits.

He proposes more immigration and customs officials, fraud-proof employer verification systems, and stiffer penalties for those aiding illegal immigrants.

To receive any federal benefits, including those administered by state and local agencies, immigrants would be mandated to show proof of citizenship. Non-compliant states and local agencies would lose some of their federal funds, he said.

Also, Baldermann would require local authorities to verify citizenship of all immigrants held on felony citations.

He supports automatic deportation of illegal immigrants convicted of felonies. He would push reform of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to boost assistance to prospective legal immigrants coming to America.

"We have a lot of people in the system who are trying to become legal immigrants here," Baldermann said. "Those are the people we need to help. We shouldn't try to find a path of citizenship for those who make no effort to follow our laws and become legal citizens here."

The nation must ensure illegal immigrants who make no effort to become legal do not receive taxpayer benefits.

"Legal immigration has always been a source of strength for this country," he said in a prepared release. "Illegal immigration flouts the rule of law, compromises our national security, and costs Illinois taxpayers billions of dollars each year."

Baldermann is opposed on the GOP ticket in the February primary by Tim Heenan of New Lenox and Jimmy P. Lee of North Utica.

Source