KANSAS SENATE

DISTRICT 16

Republican primary

Will G. Carpenter: This is an issue that the federal government must address. We cannot place the burden of policing illegal immigration on the backs of Kansas small businesses. Kansas should strengthen laws in regards to any business that knowingly engages in hiring or recruiting any unauthorized immigrant and strengthening our laws against businesses that prey on illegal immigrants.

Ty Masterson: We need a comprehensive strategy at the federal level to solve this issue. We need a strong but balanced approach that will identify illegal vs. legal immigrants and will remove the incentives and lack of enforcement that attract illegal immigrants to Kansas.

DISTRICT 29

Democratic primary

Oletha Faust-Goudeau: The federal government has not honored its responsibility in securing America's borders, while leaving the responsibility to states like Kansas. One way to stop the flow of undocumented workers into our state is to address unscrupulous employers who knowingly hire them to avoid paying taxes and benefits.

Kelechi 'KC' Ohaebosim: It's the federal government's responsibility to deal with illegal immigration. I also favor serious penalties for employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants to lower their operating costs.

DISTRICT 31

Republican primary

Rex Farley: Rejection of demographic additions to our productive state is counterintuitive. I have witnessed the positive example which immigrant workers furnish to our subconscious awareness. Petty protectionism must be defeated.

Carolyn McGinn: Illegal immigration is an issue that the federal government must address. We must go after the bad actors, such as those businesses who knowingly and repeatedly hire illegal immigrants, those who traffic immigrants for slave labor, or present or manufacturing false documents. A civil offense should be filed for any business entity that knowingly engages in a pattern of hiring or recruiting any unauthorized immigrant.

DISTRICT 32

Republican primary

Steve Abrams: Enforce the laws. If we are a nation of laws, then we must enforce the laws that are currently on the books. If we, as individuals, continue to be selective on what laws that we obey, then the moral slide of our culture will continue.

George Leach: Pressure the federal government to do their part as described in the 1986 laws. The state has to remember that illegal means illegal. We should examine the procedures in issuance of benefits, licenses and voting.

KANSAS HOUSE

DISTRICT 77

Republican primary

David Crum: Kansas should pass an illegal immigration bill with the following provisions: Repeals the license of any business that knowingly hires illegal aliens; requires a business to enroll and participate in E-verify; prevents illegal aliens from receiving state-funded public assistance; imposes criminal penalties on those who knowingly register an illegal alien to vote.

Gary Dale Harmon: I think this is more a federal responsibility. Kansas needs to help the federal government fix our broken borders. We need to codify our laws to insure that illegals can't receive public services.

DISTRICT 81

Republican primary

Patsy Allen: Need to work hard on laws that would mandate employers to do background check on all immigrants prior to obtaining employment. If they have criminal background, they should be deported immediately. Legalization of immigrants should be expedited, along with the requirement for them to go to school and learn to speak English.

Jeri Anderson: Our lack of immigration reforms is a failure of the leadership of the federal government. Kansas should do whatever it takes to help eliminate illegal immigration.

Arlene Burrow: It is understandable why people from all over the world want to move to the United States. However, our laws were written for all people. In order to continue to be a wonderful country we must adhere to all the laws of this great land.

Peter DeGraaf: As an immigrant, I am grateful for the path my parents and I were given towards citizenship; even so, our nation and state must aggressively find ways to deal with illegal immigration, without making business owners an arm of the police.

Carlene Eye: The ability of the state to address illegal immigration is limited. Illegal immigrants arrested for criminal activity should be turned over to immigration services for deportation. Contractors, USD 259, agriculture, etc. should not solicit additional foreign workers until issues with existing undocumented workers are resolved.

DISTRICT 84

Democratic primary

Gail Finney: We are actually limited in what we can do. However, we should assist in enforcing the federal guidelines.

Inga Taylor: As long as there is a market for illegal immigrants, we will have a tough time getting a handle on the issue. If they crack down on businesses, then you are not pro-business.

DISTRICT 93

Republican primary

Dan Kerschen: There is a tremendous need for the national government to address this problem, so that the states can respond with compatible programs. The lack of responsibility at the national level has placed the burden of acting now to address this problem on the states.

Carl H. Koster Jr.: First, Kansas needs to encourage the enforcement of federal immigration laws. Second, pass laws holding employers accountable for their actions in hiring procedures, treat with respect and encourage those who immigrate legally, embracing the diversity they bring to our state.

Barbara A. Walters: Those who choose to break the laws should be removed from our country. Though legal immigration can be a long and arduous undertaking, those who have met the requirements have earned the right to live here. Handing out privileges to those who break the law only encourages others to break the law.

DISTRICT 96

Republican primary

Mark S. Gietzen: I think that we need to treat every person in Kansas with the respect and decency that every human being deserves. We need to enforce existing laws, rather than make new ones.

Phil Hermanson: First, the federal government must do its job. Kansas cannot secure borders, make immigration policy, or deport illegal aliens. From the state's perspective, we should work to ensure state funds are not paid to illegal immigrants through social services, education, college tuition, and welfare.
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