One day before the start of the Iowa caucuses, Ben Carson released his immigration plan in a final pitch to voters on his vision to “repair” the system, contrasting with some of his Republican rivals in favor of drastic changes.
Unlike GOP rivals who are completely against a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants, Carson is willing to give them a chance under what he calls, in a reference to his medical background, a “Prescription for a Sovereign America.”
Under the plan, the estimated 11.5 million undocumented residents in the United States will be given a six-month period in which they can register with the federal government. Those who do not register will be “violating the law and subject to apprehension and prosecution as criminals.”
Registered illegal immigrants would receive guest-worker status and required to pay a tax penalty. These guest workers would then have the chance to become citizens. But they would have to follow the same application process that every non-American must follow.
“[M]y administration will introduce interim improvements that are compassionate and effective,” Carson said.
As a solution is hammered out in Congress and the courts, Carson hinted at using executive actions that he said would be “interim improvements” that are “compassionate and effective,” while adhering to the 14th Amendment.
His plan doesn’t feature a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border as Donald Trump and Ted Cruz have suggested. Instead, the former neurosurgeon envisions “layered fencing” along U.S. borders and “other appropriate barriers backed by robust surveillance.”
Carson would also increase the number of Border Control agents and deputize local law enforcement to help fill in the gaps. He says he would deploy the National Guard to aid coverage of the southern border as needed.
Carson promised his administration would work “closely” with Canada and Mexico to quell illegal immigration on their side of the border.
The plan would aim to eliminate “sanctuary cities,” such as San Francisco, which refuse to comply with the federal government detainment operations.
Carson would make E-verify “mandatory and permanent.” The federal government currently does not require the use of E-verify, an Internet-based program through which employers can determine the eligibility of their employees to work in the country. Businesses, however, are not allowed to hire illegal immigrants knowingly.
Carson’s plan’s also aims to block the prospect of a terrorist entering the U.S. disguised by claiming status as a refugee fleeing Middle East conflict.
“I will not accept any refugees from Syria — or any other country — unless they can be properly vetted,” Carson said.
Referring back to a visit to Jordan in November, Carson said refugees he spoke with would rather return home than come to the U.S. He said the U.S. should help refugees where they are currently located.
