Immigration Reform & Border Security

Immigration Reform & Border Security

Why it matters: A humanitarian and security crisis exists along our southern border that requires immediate action. The fact that our border can be penetrated so easily leaves us vulnerable to national security threats and has resulted in an influx of criminal activity, especially as it relates to narcotics and human trafficking. It is a serious crisis in need of a serious legislative solution. 

Where I stand: It is in our national interest to secure the border. Congress has an obligation to ensure our homeland is secure. That means we must allocate the resources to ensure that our borders are properly secured. 

We also have a responsibility to ensure that our immigration laws are being enforced. The death of Kathryn (Kate) Steinle—who was killed by an illegal immigrant who had previously been convicted for seven felonies and had been previously deported five times—shows when local officials ignore federal immigration law and shield illegal immigrants from deportation, Americans are put at risk. I have met with numerous Arkansas families who have personally been impacted by criminal activity of illegal immigrants. We simply must act.

While national security must be the top priority when reforming our immigration system, the economic security of American citizens must also be protected. That is why I support efforts to hold employers accountable to ensure they are hiring legal workers and oppose efforts to provide amnesty to illegal immigrants. 

We are a nation of immigrants and must remain welcoming to those who want to achieve the American Dream. We should be proud of our record to naturalize those who immigrate here legally. We naturalize more new citizens per year than the rest of the world combined. However, it is vital that we enforce the law and ensure the safety and security of our nation. That must remain the top priority for lawmakers in Washington.

What I’ve done: I have consistently supported policies that provide additional resources to enforce our immigration laws, secure our border and ensure employers are hiring legal workers. I have, and will continue, to strongly oppose efforts to grant amnesty to those who break our immigration laws. 

Senator Boozman Fights for Immigration Enforcement and Secure Borders 

As a member of the Border Security and Enforcement First Caucus, Senator Boozman has traveled to the U.S.-Mexico border to examine existing challenges in controlling illegal immigration.

He supported the Trump administration’s efforts to secure our southern border through a strong border system that includes a physical wall as well as other useful tools and strategies that our Customs and Border Patrol agents indicate are helpful in deterring or apprehending those who seek to illegally enter our country. He has also met with numerous Arkansas families who have personally been impacted by criminal activity committed by illegal immigrants and agree with them that their experiences were avoidable and further proof that it is past time to act on this issue.  

In addition to securing the border, Arkansans believe that our immigration system must be repaired, reformed and strengthened in order to provide the benefits and protection our country deserves. Boozman has supported efforts to hold employers accountable to ensure they are hiring legal workers through a mandatory E-Verify system and will always oppose efforts to provide amnesty to illegal immigrants. It’s important to realize that any proposed reforms to our immigration system – through which we naturalize more new citizens per year than the rest of the world combined – must primarily benefit our nation and its citizens in order to achieve legitimacy in the eyes of Americans.