Ben Carson (Immigration)

Carson's Immigration (section page)

"The overwhelming majority of Americans want the borders of our country secured and our immigration laws robustly enforced...as president, I will work to end government overreach, reform our immigration policies, boost visa enforcement and secure our borders." (BCWI)

Birthright citizenship

• Believes the Obama administration's immigration policy has encouraged illegal immigrants to give birth to their children here, thus granting them birthright citizenship
• To address, he proposes securing our borders and enhancing visa enforcement. (BCWI)

Illegal immigration

• Carson would seal the U.S.-Mexico border by cutting all benefits that he says attracts illegal immigration (though he doesn't name any specific benefits he proposes cutting)
• Carson said of this proposal: “You can pretty much get it to 100 percent" (Washington Times)
• Those in the U.S. without a problematic record would be given a six month period to register and pay a tax penalty. They would have to pay taxes going forward by taking jobs as guest workers, but it wouldn’t amount to citizenship or voting rights. (Washington Times)
• Rejects the idea of accepting Syrian refugees into the U.S. on the grounds that it would threaten national security. Carson instead said he would support offering resources and diplomacy to help them stay settled or resettle in their own country. (Washington Times)
• Allow undocumented residents access to a national guest worker program if they leave the country first (PBS)