Tom Hayhurst on Immigration

We are a nation of immigrants. Our diversity is our heritage, even as it is our strength. We are a country founded on that “yearning to be free.” To turn away from it is to deny the greatness of America . But to ignore the realities of the world today is an equal failure. For too long our government has done just that.

Five years past the horrors of 9/11, our ports and borders remain vulnerable and targets for our enemies. For too many years, the inaction of our elected representatives has fostered unfairness for both hard working American citizens and the 11 million undocumented individuals toiling, living and contributing to the nation's economy. We need real leadership on the issue of immigration.

Our collective immigrant legacy must rouse us to action. We need a commonsense immigration policy.

When I am in the U.S. Congress, I will:

• Champion the security of our ports and borders as a national priority.

• Advocate for increasing our legal immigration quotas from throughout the world, including Mexico , Central and South America.

• Support giving undocumented individuals living in the United States the opportunity to become citizens following the citizenship process required for any new immigrant.

Transforming our hard work, hope and hometown values into a fresh start for the 3rd District is what my campaign for Congress is all about. Part of that fresh start is a fair shot at the American dream. I'm running for Congress, because I believe that when it comes to the issue of immigration, we must, and can, do better.