Thread: MS: Gov. hopefuls agree on immigration

Gov. hopefuls agree on immigration

June 25, 2011

Three Republican candidates for governor say they support efforts in Mississippi to discourage illegal immigration, including legislation modeled after Arizona's enforcement law.

Phil Bryant, Dave Dennis and Hudson Holliday participated in a debate sponsored by the Central Mississippi Tea Party and the Mississippi Center for Public Policy Saturday at Northwest Rankin High.

Each candidate said the state has too many illegal immigrants.

"It is a problem, and we will stop it in Mississippi," said Bryant, who currently serves as lieutenant governor.

Bryant said illegal immigration has been a concern of his for several years. "Now it seems like everybody wants to get on the bandwagon," he said.

Dennis, who runs a construction business on the Gulf Coast, said he has been beaten on project bids by competitors because they use cheap illegal labor. He said he has met with Arizona's governor and supports that state's law.

"Whatever needs to be done (for immigration reform), I'm comfortable with it," he said.

Holliday, a Pearl River County supervisor, said he would support stiffer penalties for businesses that hire illegal workers.

"You can't blame (immigrants) for wanting to be here," he said. "If you take away the jobs and the housing, they will find another state to go to."

The state Legislature attempted this year to adopt an Arizona-style bill that would have given law enforcement the authority to confirm the immigration status of anyone they suspected was in the country illegally, but the effort died in committee.

During the debate, Bryant incorrectly recounted the bill's history, saying that it "died in the House."

The House passed its own version of the bill, which, in addition to the law enforcement checks, would have created penalties for employers who hire illegal workers. The Senate did not agree to the changes, and the two sides never met to negotiate a compromise.

Two other Republicans, four Democrats and one Reform candidate also are seeking the governor's seat but were not invited to participate in the debate because of time constraints.

www.clarionledger.com

If we get enougth elected officials supporting these laws, maybe we can turn this country around. Also, we need to keep and eye on who we let in here legally from other countries. I long for my country the way it was when I was growing up. I am 65.

You can't blame (immigrants) for wanting to be here," he said. "If you take away the jobs and the housing, they will find another state to go to."

This is precisely why we need nationwide laws - or more specifically, why we need our government to enforce the laws we have. The answer is not to drive illegals to another state, but to encourage them to go home.