New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is known for his straightforward approach to most controversial political issues — but not immigration. His statements and actions suggest that the Republican presidential contender may not have completely made up his mind.
That could all change this week.
Christie will deliver a keynote address to a group of Hispanic business owners at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. While it’s unclear exactly what he will say, the venue provides some important clues. The chamber calls a pathway to citizenship its “top priority,” and promotes “commonsense immigration reform [that] would boost economic growth.” The chamber reportedly spent more than $50 million in 2013 as it pushed for immigration reform, specifically the ‘Gang of Eight’ immigration bill that died in the Senate.
On a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants, Christie was for it before he was against it. While many Republican presidential contenders have offered seemingly contradictory answers on the issue of ‘amnesty,’ Christie’s statements stand out more than most.
Once upon a time he seemed to agree with the Chamber of Commerce. In 2010, the governor said, “the president and the Congress have to step up to the plate, they have to secure our borders, and they have to put forward a commonsense path to citizenship for people.”
In May 2015, as Christie began to more seriously consider launching a presidential campaign, he did a 180-degree turn on a pathway to citizenship. He called it “an extreme way to go,” and described President Obama’s executive actions on immigration as a ‘illegal.’
“I think I’ve learned over time about this issue and done a lot more work on it,” Christie told Fox News’ Megyn Kelly. “I think everyone has to do to be able to get educated on these issues and learn. And back in 2010, I was in my first couple [of] months as governor. I’ve now learned some of the ramifications for all these things.”
Christie has also enacted legislation that seems to disagree with the spirit of his most recent statements. In 2013, he signed legislation that would allow illegal immigrant students to pay in-state college tuition. Christie once opposed such legislation, but at the time it became law, he celebrated the bill as a victory.
“This is what compromise looks like,” Christie said in 2013. “Shame on all the people — shame on you — who accused me and others of playing politics with this issue. You were wrong.”
Last month, Christie indicated that he made a strategic decision to support the legislation that had become a contentious political issue.
“It made economic sense to do it,” Christie said. “The reason I was against it in the beginning was economic. We do not have the money in the budget to be able to sustain that.”
Christie also disputed the notion that the legislation would be a magnet for illegal immigration, and said, “People are not coming to get a little bit off on their tuition.”
His recent actions appear to signal he is rhetorically moving toward the GOP base — on more than just immigration. The governor recently reversed his position on his state’s Common Core educational standards and will pull New Jersey out of the standards. But if Christie endorses a pathway to citizenship or temporary legal status for illegal immigrants, he could risk much of the goodwill he may have built among many in his party’s base.
When Christie speaks at the Chamber of Commerce this week he will have an important decision to make. He could sling red-meat platitudes and cater to the GOP base, or embrace the business community that could help bankroll a presidential campaign. Whatever he decides will likely have a critical impact on the future of his campaign.
