http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/143320

District 8 Republicans: immigration
By Daniel Scarpinato
arizona daily star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 08.23.2006
An estimated 500,000 illegal entrants are living in Arizona, and that reality has reached a political tipping point.

Some blame employers; others point their finger at the federal government. But in 2006, avoiding the tide of illegal immigration is a political impossibility as Democrats and Republicans debate the pros and cons of current policy.

Here is what the Republican candidates in Congressional District 8 are saying about illegal immigration and border security:
Frank Antenori

Antenori wants to influence the Mexican government to enforce its side of the border by using punitive sanctions, tariffs and reduction in U.S. aid. A mix of technology and "layered barriers" would allow wildlife to cross in wilderness areas, but not vehicles.

Antenori wants border crossers to be apprehended and brought to a courtroom, where the case would be tried instantly. If found guilty, the crossers would be put in jail before being deported. Antenori would use this same approach with employers who hire illegal immigrants. Antenori supports a worker plan using "visas for short, but increasing, periods of time."

Randy Graf

Graf wants more money for Border Patrol agents and the construction of more fencing, though he says it's not necessary to build a wall along the entire border.

He wants to crack down on employers who knowingly hire illegal entrants and implement a system that would allow them to easily verify status. He wants to remove loopholes from the law that requires emergency rooms to treat illegal immigrants.

He opposes extending Social Security benefits and citizenship to entrants who have been here illegally. He also opposes granting citizenship to children of those who come her illegally.
Mike Hellon

Hellon wants to make a "commitment to closing the border to illegal immigration," using technology, fencing and more border agents. He wants the federal government to pay states for the costs incurred by illegal entrants.

"These costs borne by the federal government should be recaptured, to the extent they can be, from the country from which the illegal immigrants came," he says in his plan.

Hellon favors a temporary-worker program, under which immigrants could be identified and vetted for work in the United States.
He opposes granting citizenship to children of illegal immigrants.
Steve Huffman

Huffman says it will take a combination of manpower and technology to secure the border. He says the federal government should reimburse Arizona for health- care and law-enforcement costs. Huffman supports a guest-worker plan, and says it would be "economic suicide" to not allow such a thing.

"We can't treat the need to have a healthy economy like it's some sort of side issue," he said.
But he says there must be a reliable system for employers to instantly verify citizenship, with employers facing penalties for hiring an illegal entrant.

He also says the U.S. needs to encourage political and economic reform in Central and South American countries.
Mike Jenkins

Jenkins says the border needs to be secured before talking about a worker program. He's opposed to amnesty for those living here illegally.
Jenkins wants video surveillance of the border, rather than trying to build a wall along the entire border. Jenkins is opposed to amnesty and says those who are living here illegally should have to go back to their home country and apply for citizenship.

"I do not believe anyone should be rewarded for breaking our law," he says. Jenkins says he knows we need the workers, but also says, "If we ever hit a recession in this country, we're going to need all these jobs for Americans."

● Contact political reporter Daniel Scarpinato at 807-7789 or dscarpinato@azstarnet.com. ● Find out what the Democrats seeking the Congressional District 8 seat have to say on illegal immigration on Sunday.