Just posting part of the article that deals with illegal immigration here. Please click on the source link to read the entire article.
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posted at 8:41 am on April 9, 2014 by Jazz Shaw
hotair.com

This week, we were able to arrange an interview with Congressman Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas 4th), who is currently running to replace Democrat Senator Mark Pryor representing Arkansas. We touched on a few different issues which have been of keen interest to Hot Air readers this election cycle, and he was nice enough to provide some highly specific answers. In particular – unlike so many television interviews – I was impressed with the fact that when asked for a definitive “Yes or No” answer, Congressman Cotton was able to give one without hesitation. Refreshing to say the least. Here’s the main body of the interview.

HA: Give us a refreshing, one word, yes or no answer to a question which so many candidates refuse to do. Are illegal aliens criminals?

TC: Yes. It is a crime to enter the country unlawfully or to over-stay a lawful visa. We must enforce our immigration laws and secure our borders to regain the confidence of the American people.

HA: Follow-up to that question: New Jersey, among other states, is moving to give taxpayer funded educational benefits to so called “Dreamers” and other illegal aliens. What, if any, federal funding do you think should be spent on benefits for non-citizens who are in the country illegally?

TC: Regrettably, Washington has a history of putting benefits before immigration enforcement, which has too often meant enforcement doesn’t occur, as happened with the last major immigration overhaul in 1986. We must secure our borders and stop illegal immigration, for which welfare benefits can act as a magnet. Moreover, given our massive national debt, we should focus on helping American citizens and legal immigrants who are in need, not illegal immigrants and foreigners.

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We discussed a few other issues, including E-Verify and the responsibilities of employers who hire illegal aliens. Cotton feels that cutting off employment opportunities for illegals is one key part of reducing illegal immigration. He favors more tools to help smaller businesses check the immigration status of applicants so as to avoid over-prosecution, but holding employers who knowingly hire aliens to account, including jail time.

http://hotair.com/archives/2014/04/0...ew-tom-cotton/