Dems challenge Koster's stance on immigration | Politics blog

From Stark

Washington State Democrats have issued a press release accusing Republican 1st District Congressional candidate John Koster of hiding from immigration issues.

The Dems note that the GOP?s platform committee has staked out a hard-line position that opposes any kind of amnesty for those who are in the country illegally, including DREAM Act measures that would show some mercy to those who were brought into the country as children. The New York Times reports.

The accusation that Koster is dodging the issue is based on his campaign?s failure to return a phone call for this Seattle Times story noting that Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob McKenna and Senatorial candidate Mike Baumgartner have attempted to move away from their party?s hard-line immigration stance.

Here?s how the Dems? press release characterizes this non-return of a phone call: ?Koster refused to answer questions about his opinion of the extreme Republican positions ??

For what it?s worth, Koster did address the immigration issue in The Bellingham Herald?s Q&A to 1st District candidates before the August primary, although he also seemed to change the subject to excessive federal regulation of agriculture. Here is our question about immigration, along with Koster?s answer and the answer from Suzan DelBene, the Democrat who took second place in the primary and is facing Koster in the November general election:

Q: Agriculture is a $290 million a year business in Whatcom County. Local farmers say their very existence could be threatened if tightened immigration restrictions deprive them of undocumented laborers, without providing them with a legal way to obtain the labor force they need. What should Congress do to address the labor problem in agriculture?

John Koster: We are a nation of immigrants. The debate and problems we have today are not about legal immigration, but illegal immigration. The debate is also a matter of national security. We must secure our borders. We are a nation of laws; therefore, we first need to enforce our existing immigration laws. I will oppose efforts to provide amnesty for illegal aliens. That being said, American farmers are fully capable of feeding this nation. Excessive governmental regulation and micro-management threatens this capability. Farmers must be left free to innovate and produce without unnecessary and intrusive regulations. As a third-generation dairy farmer, I personally feel that we need to revamp and reinstitute our ?guest worker program? that offers temporary visas for those wishing to come from other countries to work as seasonal workers.?Washington?s farmers have a need for seasonal agriculture workers. However, any guest worker program should never provide a fraudulent cover for those seeking to flout our immigration laws.

Suzan DelBene: For too long, Congress had ignored taking meaningful action to address immigration and as a result we have a flawed system that isn?t working, for immigrants, their families or employers. I support comprehensive immigration reform. Reform should include an earned path to citizenship for those who are here and working. I?m not supportive of e-verify and don?t think it?s good for our farmers or workers. What?s more, we need a legal and safe way for migrant workers to be able meet the labor demands of our agricultural industry in a way that protects workers and helps our economy thrive. Comprehensive reform has to be more than an enforcement-only policy and we must treat immigrants and their families with respect and dignity, not as second-class citizens.

Source: http://blogs.bellinghamherald.com/politics/immigration/15893/

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