Immigration has been a hot-button issue for years, but it has been the driving force of our culture and economy for centuries. We were all taught that our country’s mantra was “bring us your huddled masses.” Proper immigration policies can continue to build our country and economy—but only if we approach them with both compassion and common sense.

Misinformation and political gamesmanship have made immigration a great divider instead of a great uniter. If we trace back our ancestry, we realize that all of our families were, at one time, immigrants. People should not live in fear because of the color of their skin or their primary language. Unfortunately, American citizens are being wrongfully detained without due process. Due process protects us all from government mistakes and overreach, which is why it is a constitutional right—and why we must defend it for everyone.

One of the grave mistakes of the Biden administration was its initial handling of immigration. Even proud, first-generation Americans were mobilized against Biden-era policies. The perception of an “open border policy” during the first years created a crisis at the southern border that should have been handled better and faster.

Now, the extremes have flipped. Our government is abusing people—many of whom have been living and working alongside us for decades, contributing to our communities and paying taxes into a system they cannot fully benefit from. Families are being torn apart. Workers who pick our crops, build our homes, and care for our children are being hunted down like criminals. This isn’t security—it’s cruelty.

When Congress and President Biden negotiated a bipartisan border security solution, Senate Republicans—following Trump’s orders—killed it before it even reached the House. Max Miller and House Republicans declared it “dead on arrival” and refused to even allow a vote. They chose political loyalty over solving the problem, leaving the chaos to continue so Trump could exploit it on the campaign trail.

We must find middle ground on this issue:

• Longtime residents deserve a path forward: Those who have been here for years, working jobs that keep our economy running, raising families, and contributing to their communities as law-abiding undocumented workers should have a pathway to legal status.
• Recent border crossers should face humane deportation: Those who recently entered illegally should go through a fair, humane removal process with full due process protections.
• People must be held accountable: Those who commit serious crimes should be prosecuted as any of us would and, where appropriate, removed from the United States.
• Secure the border with smart solutions: Invest in technology, personnel, and infrastructure—not political theater and mass roundups.
• Fix the legal immigration system: Make it possible for people to come legally, work legally, and contribute legally without waiting decades.
• Protect American workers: Ensure immigration policies don’t undercut wages or working conditions for American citizens.

We are better as a country when we look out for our neighbors and work together. We are stronger when we treat people with empathy and compassion while still holding them accountable for their actions. You deserve a representative who considers all sides of this issue, not someone who weakly follows whatever his party leader tells him to do.

I will fight for immigration policies that are both secure and humane, that protect our borders while honoring our values, and that solve problems instead of exploiting them for political gain. We can secure our country without abandoning human dignity and our country’s principles.

When I represent you in Congress, I will fight for proper Congressional oversight, respect the separation of powers, and champion policies that protect everyone’s constitutional rights:

• Require probable cause to question or detain anyone—no American should fear government overreach based on appearance, language, or political views.
• Keep families together during any lawful deportation process—even when enforcement is necessary, cruelty is not.
• House detainees in humane conditions when detention is proper—the Constitution prohibits cruel and unusual punishment for everyone.