1st District candidates weigh in on immigration

NAMPA, Idaho – Candidates for Idaho’s open 1st District congressional seat say tighter controls on U.S. borders should be a part of any plan to deal with illegal immigration in the United States.

The issue has emerged in Idaho with marches this week in and around Boise and across the country after weeks of mounting pressure from immigrant rights supporters for federal overhaul of America’s immigration policies. One of the candidates, Robert Vasquez, a Republican, has made the issue the central theme of his campaign.

“I guess everybody has the right to demonstrate,” state Sen. Skip Brandt, R-Kooskia, told the Idaho Press-Tribune. “But I think we must (stick to) our guns and support taking action to deal with illegals.”

Brandt and Vasquez are among six GOP candidates for the seat, which is open because U.S. Rep. C.L. “Butch” Otter, R-Idaho, is leaving that post to run for governor. The seat’s territory covers northern and western Idaho.

Vasquez attended Sunday’s demonstration in Boise to demand that immigration laws be enforced. At a march on Tuesday by high school students, Vasquez said the students who took part should be expelled.

In a statement to the press, Republican candidate Norm Semanko called the demonstrations part of an effort by the far left. “Despite the demonstrations, we cannot hand illegals the same benefits that we give those who follow the process and come here legally,” he said.

Former state Sen. Sheila Sorensen said the demonstration in Boise showed how difficult the issue has become. “It’s a testament to our country that we allow freedom of speech even though many of them are not legal,” she said.

State Controller Keith Johnson said before the marches that he favored a balanced approach to illegal immigration. “This country was built on immigration,” he said. “But open borders are not the answer.”

And Rep. Bill Sali, R-Kuna, said a lack of border control is a security problem. “Along with all of the illegal immigrants who want to come here for a job there are terrorists that are coming across the border,” he said. “There are drug cartel operatives, there are gang members. They’re not coming here to get a job. They’re not coming here for health care or education.”

Among Democratic candidates, Larry Grant said there should be a way for employers to legally hire workers. But he said employers should have to pay a fair wage and prove they couldn’t find U.S. citizens to do the job.

Cecil Kelly, a Coeur d’Alene businessman running against Grant in the May 23 primary, said companies that hire illegal workers should be penalized. “I’m sorry that their families are starving down in Guatemala, but we cannot just open our borders and let our country slide into recession,” Kelly said.

Natural Law candidate Andy Hedden-Nicely said borders should be made stronger, but that illegal immigrants should be able to earn a right to remain in the country. He said illegal immigrants should not face punitive action.