Mike Huckabee on Immigration
He Supported Amnesty As Arkansas Governor in 2006 But Now Opposes Amnesty

Summary:
Just who is Mike Huckabee? This wildfire candidate from Arkansas has caught ablaze and took the upper tier candidates by storm by winning the Iowa Caucus. While in the bowels of the presidential candidate polls, Huckabee’s record was obscure and unknown. However, upon reaching his upper tier status, his records are being analyzed under America’s microscope.

What is Mike Huckabee’s position on immigration? This depends on if one is asking about Governor Huckabee or Presidential Candidate Huckabee. While Governor of Arkansas, Mike Huckabee supported amnesty and benefits for illegal immigrants. However, as a presidential candidate Huckabee has taken great strides in his immigration policy by listening to the will of the people. Now opposing amnesty, Huckabee has signed a pledge to enforce immigration laws and make all illegal aliens go home. This pledge commits Huckabee to opposing a new path to citizenship for current illegal aliens and to cut the number of illegal aliens already in the country through attrition by law enforcement. Huckabee seems to have taken the necessary actions to create a sound illegal immigration policy.

Skip Links to Content Below:
On Amnesty-- Used to Support but Now Opposes
In-State Tuition Benefits -- Does He Support?
Border Fence -- Now Supports
Social Security Benefits -- Supports
Education and Health Care Benefits for Illegals-- Supports
Website Platform
Huckabee Video

Huckabee claims to have "never supported amnesty" but has a long record of leading the push for amnesty.
• As recently as 2006 Huckabee supported the comprehensive amnesty position. The following is from a Washington Post) Interview
On a pathway to citizenship: "I tend to think that the rational approach is to find a way to give people a pathway to citizenship."
On deportation of illegals: "To think that we're going to go lock up 12 million people, or even round them up and drie them to the border and let them go, might make a great political speech, but its not going to happen."
On paying for citizenship: "What should happen...is exactly what I think the president has proposed, and that is that we create a process where people make restitution for the fact they have broken the law."
On comprehensive reform: "It's not an amnesty, and I know that there are some who think that anything less than essentially grabbing them by the nape of the neck and tossing them over a fence, real or imaginary, is amnesty. But I think that's ridiculous. And whether it's Patrick Kennedy, Rush Limbaugh, or an illegal immigrant, there ought to be some rationality in how we apply our law. We do that every day."
On making illegals face legal consequences: Quoted as saying it is "absurd" that those illegal immigrants who came over here illegally to work should suffer the full consequences of the law as if they've totally violated our peace and prosperity.

•Huckabee's Postion, Circa 2008
•“Policies that promote or tolerate amnesty will be rejected.” (MikeHuckabee.com)
•Claims that there can not be amnesty because that is an insult to all the people who have waited in line for years. (2007 Republican Primary deabte on Univision 12/9/2007)
• Does not support an amendment to the Constitution that would prevent children born in the United States to illegal aliends from automatically becoming American citizens.

In-State Tuition for Illegals --Does He Support?
•Rejects the DREAM Act which provided in-state college tuition benefits for illegal aliens.
•Still supports the idea that you don't punish a child for the crime of a parent. Huckabee would rather have them college educated, become citizens, and pay taxes rather than become tax-takers. Source: CNN Late Edition: 2007 presidential series with Wolf Blitzer Nov 25,
•In his 2005 State of the State address to the Arkansas Legislature Huckabee complained that illegal aliens could NOT get state funded financial support for college tuition. He supported a 2005 bill that would allow illegal aliens to be eligible for scholarships and in state tuition while opposing a bill that same year that would deny state benefits to illegal aliens.

Border Fence -- Now Supports
• States that you must have a secure border because otherwise our borders are not only open to illegal immigratns, but to somebody bringing a suitcase with a dirty bomb.
* Proposes constructing a physical border fence with surveillance cameras.

Social Security Benefits for Illegals-- Supports
•Huckabee's argument was that illegals pay more taxes than the benefits they receive, "They pay fuel taxes. If they're using a FAKE SOCIAL SECURITY number, they're paying Social Security taxes and will never receive any benefit."

Education and Health Care Benefits for Illegals -- Supports
* Explains that illegal immigrant children recieve free public education because it is required under the Arkansas Constitution.
* Allowing immigratns free health care and free prenatal care is part of his pro-life steiment as well as that of Amendment 65 of the Arkansas State constitution, which states that life begins at conception.

Website Platform
I am as sick and tired as you are that it is harder for us to get on an airplane in our hometown than it is for all these illegals to cross our internaitonal border unchallenged. We cannot stem the tide of illegals until we turn the tide. I supported the $3 billion Congress passed this summer for border security. This desperately-need money will train and deploy 23,000 more agents, add four drone planes, build 700 miles of fence and 300 miles of vehicle barriers, and put up 105 radar and camera towers. But where is the $3 billion? The President threatened to veto the bill it was part of! Now the Senate as agin voted for this money as part of the Defense Bill. I will continue to fight until we get these funds.

In this age of terror, immigration is not only an economic issue, but also a national security issue. All those who are caught trying to enter illegally must be detained, processed, and deported. As Governor, I orderd my state troopers to work with the Department of Homeland Security to arrest illegals and enforce federal immigration law.

I oppose and will never allow amnesty. I passionately rejected the amenst bill that President Bush and Sen. McCain tried to ram through Congress this summer after secret meetings of an under-the-radar cabal of amnesty-loving senators. I will take our country back for those who belong here and those who are willing to play by the rules for the privilege to come here. No open border, no amnesty, no sanctuary, no false Social Security numbers, no driver's licenses for illegals. More Here.

The Secure America Plan
1. Build the Fence
2. Increase Border Patrol
3. Prevent Amnesty
4. Enforece the Law on Employers
5. Establish an Economic Border
6. Empower Local Authorities
7. Ensure Document Security
8. Discourage Dual Citizenship
9. Modernize the Process of Legal Immigration.

Huckabee on Immigration During the Debates