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Dan Sullivan on Immigration |
Last week, the Senate briefly squabbled over immigration legislation, blocking a Republican proposal from coming to a vote. Now, Republicans are using that as ammunition. In an email to supporters, Sullivan said: "Begich cast the deciding vote in favor of President Obama's authority to issue executive amnesty to illegal aliens." Based on our research, that's not what happened.
Our ruling: Begich never voted on executive amnesty. In reality, Begich voted "no" on a procedural measure so that an amendment regarding immigration policy did not come up for a vote. It's debatable whether this amendment really addressed "executive amnesty." We rate this claim False.
[Bottom line]: Begich and Sullivan were asked if they would support the president taking executive action on giving amnesty to illegal immigrants: "No. Congress needs to be a part of it," Begich said. Sullivan said, "No way."
Treadwell said his priority would be to make U.S. borders secure. He supports humanitarian and private volunteer efforts to help immigrants but not the creation of more federal programs. "That doesn't make a lot of sense to me," he said.
Miller said illegal immigration is something that could rip the nation's fabric apart. "People are coming here illegally and if they become citizens they will vote," he said, adding his concern that most illegal immigrants wind up favoring Democrats. "I believe lawful immigration is great, though," Miller said.
Miller, in turn, noted that several of Sullivan's backers, like GOP strategist Karl Rove, favor allowing many of the 11 million immigrants in the country to eventually become citizens. "It's because it's the truth," Miller said when challenged about the pictures on the flier. "This is real-world stuff."
On immigration, all three candidates bashed the Obama administration for failing to secure the border. Treadwell said he supported letting some people here illegally stay once they pay a fine and wait for permits behind those who immigrated legally. Sullivan called for more border security.