Hillary Clinton on immigration

Hillary Clinton’s campaign is largely focused on families, so it makes sense that this would be a large topic in her platform on immigration.

Her philosophy on immigration is stated on her website as the following:

“If we claim we are for family, then we have to pull together and resolve the outstanding issues around our broken immigration system. The American people support comprehensive immigration reform not just because it’s the right thing to do—and it is—but because they know it strengthens families, strengthens our economy, and strengthens our country. … We can’t wait any longer for a path to full and equal citizenship.”

Clinton has a comprehensive list of goals for her immigration agenda that is expected to be completed during her time in office if she is voted to be the next president of the United States of America.

· Comprehensive immigration reform – Clinton plans to introduce comprehensive immigration reform, which will make it easier for undocumented immigrants to gain legal status in the United States. Her goal is to create this pathway to full citizenship within her first 100 days in office.

· End the three- and 10-year bars – According to the American Immigration Council, an illegal immigrant who is in the U.S. for over 180 days, but less than a year, then departs the U.S. is “barred” from coming back to the United States for three years. However, if an immigrant is illegally in the U.S. for longer than one year and then leaves, they are barred for 10 years.

· Defend DAPA – President Barack Obama started the program, which granted deferred status to specific immigrants. Several states filed lawsuits against the federal government where it was blocked from going into full effect. Clinton believes the estimated five million people eligible for DAPA should be protected under executive actions.

· Protect families – Clinton’s website states, “If Congress keeps failing to act on comprehensive immigration reform, Hillary will enact a simple system for those with sympathetic cases to make their case and be eligible for deferred action.” Sympathetic cases are described as parents of DREAMers, persons with a history of military service or persons who experience extreme labor violations.

· Humane immigration enforcement – Clinton plans to use her resources on detaining and deporting immigrants who pose a violent threat to the public. To those refugees who seek asylum in the U.S., she offers a fair chance to tell their stories.

· Close family detention centers – There are detention centers for parents and children who arrive at the U.S. border, several of them fleeing violence in Central America, and are immediately detained with limited services provided to them. Clinton plans to remove these facilities altogether.

· Expand health care to immigrants – Clinton believes all families should have access to the Affordable Care Act regardless of immigration status.

· Create an easier path to citizenship – Clinton wants to alleviate naturalization costs, increase language programs and promote programs to assist immigrants finding their way.

· Office of Immigrant Affairs – Clinton wishes to create this national office to support immigrant integration through a $15 million grant.