Thread: IA: Challenger in 1st District supports guest worker program

Challenger in 1st District supports guest worker program

By TOM WITOSKY
September 18, 2010

Comments (3)

Immigration reform should include a guest worker program for those found living the United States illegally, but would eventually have to return to their home country even if their children are U.S. citizens, Ben Lange, Republican candidate in Iowa's 1st District, said Friday.

"Even if they have children here and they came here illegally and broke the law, we can't reward people for illegal behavior," Lange said.

Lange made his comments during an hourlong interview with editors and reporters of The Des Moines Register. Lange, a 31-year-old lawyer from Independence, is in his first political campaign as the challenger to incumbent Democrat Bruce Braley of Waterloo.


The 12-county 1st District stretches from the Quad Cities to Dubuque to Waterloo in eastern Iowa. There is a 10 percentage-point advantage among registered Democratic voters compared to Republicans, but 40 percent of registered voters have no party preference.

Lange said that he is optimistic about his chances in winning the election because eastern Iowa voters are concerned about the country's financial condition.

"The fiscal situation we are facing amounts to a family of four owing $176,000. That is unfathomable that we put ourselves in that position because we want programs now and are willing to mortgage future generations that won't be able to afford it," Lange said.

Lange also said that he doesn't believe that economic growth alone can alleviate the deficit. Spending cuts will have to be employed, he said.

"We just can't continue to spend," Lange said. "There will be tough decisions to be made, but the private sector couldn't operate this way and neither should the federal government."

On immigration reform, Lange said the first step should be to stop illegal immigrants from crossing the nation's southern border. But, he said that once that happens, he could support a guest worker program for those already within the country.

"I want to make sure people know that American businesses have a demand and that is what these people are filling," Lange said. "So let's make sure that if these jobs can't be filled by Americans, let's open America up for business."

Asked about those who have been here long enough to begin a family, Lange said that he understood that "these are people."

"But we must also understand that we all live under the same rules of law and we are all treated equally," Lange said. "I will not support legislation that does that because it disrespects the very rule of law that we live under."

Asked whether such a policy would punish children in the country legally, Lange disagreed.

"I don't think the law is punishing them, it is punishing their parents," he said.

www.desmoinesregister.com

There are already a multitude of worker programs. However, they involve going back to the home country and applying for entry into this country for work purposes. Sneaking across the border in the dead of night is not a valid worker program.

Right O, ReggisMay! We don't need no stinking "guest worker program". Not now, not ever.

Ben Lange has filled out the ALIPAC 2010 Candidate Survey.
All the answers are 9 on a scale of 1-10 except supporting AZ1070 which he gave a ten.

See his survey and answers here
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-212278.html