Previous: Part 1 and Part 2 of the interview with Jorge Bonilla.
Our interview with Republican candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, Jorge Bonilla, with his thoughts and views on the U.S. border and immigration…
Part 3: The U.S. Border
BB: Mr. Bonilla, what are your thoughts and ideas on how to handle the U.S. border security problem? What should be done about the massive illegal immigration problem in our country?
JB: Border security, is above all else, national security. Before we have a democratic conversation regarding the fate of the undocumented, we must address the border, ensure it is secure, and reform our visa system, which accounts for over 40% of our illegal immigration problem. We seemed to have an alternative in place, we just need to be sure it is funded and implemented. Once that is accomplished, we can begin to talk about everything else.
In August, The Heritage Foundation presented a list of U.S. border and immigration questions voters should be asking their Congress members. I felt it was a very good list to present to Jorge Bonilla to answer for this part of the candidate’s interview…
The Heritage Foundation: 5 Immigration Questions for Your Congressman
1. How can we afford an amnesty for illegal immigrants?
JB: I’ve read many different studies on the economic impact of legalizing the undocumented. I think that there might be a net long-tern positive impact under the right conditions, but am unsure that Washington is willing to do what it takes to ensure those right conditions.
2. If illegal immigrants win amnesty, how is that fair to the 4.5 million who are waiting to enter the United States legally?
JB: It is my personal belief that any proposed “pathway to citizenship” must first take into account those immigrants who arrived here via legal means.
3. Can we ensure that a House-passed immigration bill doesn’t become a vehicle, in a deal with the Senate, for blanket amnesty?
JB: It seems that the House and the Senate are at currently at an impasse, so it is up to the people to hold their representatives accountable; this is true on both sides of the issue.
4. Does Congress need to pass new legislation to secure the border and strengthen interior enforcement?
JB: In my view, these goals could be accomplished within existing legislation and the will to enforce it.
5. Is there any guarantee that we won’t face this problem again with millions of new illegal immigrants in the future?
JB: There is none whatsoever, which is why we need to ensure we have legislation in place that actually works, as well as the will to enforce it.