Our nation is suffering under the burden of more than a million immigrants illegally entering our country each year. Significant public resources are directed to educate, house, care, and provide healthcare for tens of millions of individuals and families here illegally. This presents an enormous security threat and public costs that cannot be stemmed without federal resolve.

That is why I support a secure border and diligent enforcement of our immigration laws. While immigration is ultimately a federal issue, the states can still do much to discourage the flood of illegal immigrants. In the past, I have introduced legislation to restrict the provision of driver’s licenses to citizens and legal residents and have supported the repeal of in-state tuition for those attending colleges and universities here illegally.

For more additional information on my stance on illegal immigration, please see below: 

Problem

Out of control illegal immigration is ruining California’s quality of life. The problem is epidemic, and is affecting all aspects of our lives.

• The illegal immigrant population in the United States is somewhere between 10 and 12 million people – with close to 3 million in California. Keep in mind that’s out of over 296 million Americans and 32 million Californians.

• Illegal immigration costs California over $10.5 billion each year just for education, medical care, and incarceration. The costs to the taxpayer would skyrocket further if they included social services.

• 24.9% of illegal immigrant households use at least one welfare program, compared to 14.8% of legal households.

• San Diego County alone has direct costs of over $101 million a year due to illegal immigrants, according to a county issued study.

• Sanctuary cities, which are created via the adoption of a city resolution or similar document, undermine responsible government attempts to fight illegal immigration and conflicts with federal immigration law. The Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR)

In the face of massive illegal immigration, the federal government has refused to enforce our immigration laws and deport dangerous criminals. And on the state and local level, California plays host to numerous “sanctuary cities” (including San Diego), and the Legislature has allowed illegal immigrants to pay in-state resident tuition rates at our public universities.

• California passed Assembly Bill 540, which gave illegal immigrants in-state tuition rates at the prestigious University of California and California State University systems, while law abiding residents in other states must pay much higher rates.

• 31 cities and counties nationwide have declared themselves as “sanctuaries,” prohibiting their public employees from inquiring about the immigration status of persons in their hospitals, jails, or other situations.

• Sanctuary cities, which are created via the adoption of a city resolution or similar document, undermine responsible government attempts to fight illegal immigration and conflicts with federal immigration law.

Solution

It is unacceptable that the federal government refuses to protect and control our borders. In the face of their refusal, I have fought for years to do what we can on the state level to end illegal immigration.

• In 2004, I authored ACA 32, which would have prohibited illegal immigrants from receiving public benefits or driver’s licenses.

• In 2005, I authored AB 2471, which would have authorized the Legislative Analyst to conduct a study on the cost to the state of providing benefits to illegal immigrants.

• In 2006, I authored AB 2473, which would have required identification to receive any state benefit.

• That same year, I carried ACA 6, which, again, would have prohibited illegal immigrants from receiving public benefits or driver’s licenses.

• AJR 28, also in 2006 urged the Mexican government to take necessary steps to ensure extradition or prosecution of criminals facing life sentences or the death penalty for crimes committed in the United States.

All of this legislation failed to pass the Legislature, but I will continue to fight illegal immigration and will do everything in my power to help end it.