FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sue Winchester
801.303.7924
media@ouramericainitiative.com
GOVERNOR GARY JOHNSON, HONORARY CHAIRMAN OF
OUR AMERICA INITIATIVE,
UNVEILS
'SIX POINT PLAN FOR EFFECTIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM'
Former
Governor of New Mexico says security on the border should not be only
remedy and will not sufficiently solve immigration problem;
comprehensive plan is needed
June 30, 2010, Santa Fe, NM—Gary
Johnson, former Governor of New Mexico and Honorary Chairman of the OUR
America Initiative, today issued his “Six Point Plan for Effective
Immigration Reform.” As Governor of New Mexico, Gary Johnson
managed what is arguably the most racially diverse state in the Union.
His proposal centers on establishing cost effective border security
methods, creating common-sense guest worker programs, enacting a
realistic process to resolve the status of illegal workers already in
the country, and legalizing marijuana to reduce border violence.
Governor Johnson’s proposal on immigration outlines real solutions that
involve cost benefit analysis, encourage documented immigration, and
maintain our nation’s security. Johnson’s plan is based on his
experience as Governor of a border state for eight years and was
developed in consultation with citizens on the immigration issue from
around the country.
Announcing his plan, Governor Johnson said, “As President Reagan
recognized more than 25 years ago, a robust immigration system is
essential to a successful free market system in this country.
Reagan also recognized that having control of our borders is a
fundamental responsibility of a sovereign nation.” Johnson
continued, “Our current system needs to be repaired. The lack of
Federal leadership on immigration has forced states like Arizona to
take matters into their own hands. It is time to take a hard look
at solving our immigration problems.”
Johnson noted that immigration is not just a security issue and that
stronger security measures will not solve the entire problem. “It is
not enough to merely provide security on the border to solve the
immigration problem. We need a comprehensive plan,” said Johnson.
He further added, “No plan for immigration is complete that does not
include a solution to stop the terrible problem with border crime. This
crime wave is a direct result of the drug trade, and the most effective
and quickest way to stop border crime and the drug cartels is to
legalize marijuana.”
Six Point Plan for Effective Immigration
Reform
Immigration into the United States by ambitious, willing workers and
their families is a good thing. Not only is it a historical and
energizing part of American culture and experience, it is vital to our
economy.
These positive benefits should not be sacrificed or reduced in any
solution to stop illegal immigration. However, a clear
distinction must be made between illegal and legal immigration.
In reality, true and cost-effective border security will only be
achieved through a common sense combination of technology, a
market-based guest worker program, and a safe, but efficient system for
the legal flow of immigrants to and from the United States.
Governor Johnson’s immigration proposal focuses on the following six
key points:
1. Establish real and cost-effective
border security.
• Continue to encourage and allow legal immigration.
• Support current border deterrents and security measures, with an
understanding of the low cost benefit analysis of these methods.
2. Create a temporary guest worker
program that makes sense.
• Expand and streamline a market based temporary guest worker
program.
• Enact an application and tracking procedure for guest workers,
such as an e-verify system. Procedures must be quick, simple and
efficient in providing documentation information, and must meet the
needs of both employers and willing workers.
• Require guest workers to not only pay income taxes, but provide proof
of adequate health care coverage through insurance, secured savings
programs, bonds, or a combination thereof.
• Allow spouses and dependents to enter the U.S. with guest workers,
but only with proof of adequate health coverage and subject to the same
background checks and health requirements.
3. Impose meaningful enforcement of
immigration laws.
• Establish procedures and devote the resources to actually identify
illegal immigrants and deport them. Implement a “one strike,
you’re out” policy toward illegal immigrants with regard to future
eligibility for guest worker programs.
• Impose and enforce sanctions and fines for noncompliance with
immigration laws by employers that are sufficiently costly, ensuring
that the risks simply are not worth the rewards.
4. Enact a reality-based process for
current illegal workers to earn legal status.
• Allow a two-year grace period during which illegal immigrants
already in the U.S. can come forward, pay any taxes owed, provide proof
of consistent employment, pass a criminal background check, and apply
for guest worker status.
5. Reduce border crime.
• Address the root cause of most border crime by legalizing marijuana,
thereby removing 70% of the current cross-border illegal drug trade and
replacing cartel and prohibition-related violence with legal, regulated
and nonviolent commerce.
6. Achieve a better working
relationship with Mexico.
• Stimulate cross-border investment through a robust, above-board and
legal guest worker program.
• Strengthen the Mexican government by dramatically weakening the
cartels through the legalization of marijuana.
• Aggressively negotiate mutually beneficial agreements with Mexico
regarding such issues as funds transfers, taxation of income earned in
the U.S. by guest workers, and deportation and incarceration of Mexican
nationals arrested in the United States.
For more information about Governor Gary Johnson and the OUR America
Initiative, please visit www.ouramericainitiative.com.
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