ScienceDebate.org: on Immigration


Jim McGovern: Immigrants should have access to quality health care

The pandemic has shone a light on the invaluable contribution of immigrants to our health care systems. We need comprehensive reform to strengthen our immigration system and its protections for migrants and refugees. All public health matters do not care about borders, heritage, or immigration or citizenship status. We need to make sure that access to all health care systems, testing, care and preventive services are available to everyone in Massachusetts, regardless of status.
Source: ScienceDebate.org on 2020 MA-2 House race Nov 3, 2020

Bill Keating: Keep visa programs that enable foreign workers to stay in US

Our state is unique in the nation for its ability to attract the best and brightest minds from across the globe to immigrate to the United States. Non-immigrant workers comprise a necessary part of the Cape and Islands seasonal workforce. I have been a leader in Congress on ensuring that the H-2B and J-1 visa systems have remained available to Business owners on the cape and Islands. The COVID-19 pandemic doesn't care if you are a U.S. citizen or an undocumented worker.
Source: ScienceDebate.org on 2020 MA-9 House race Oct 9, 2020

Brian Higgins: Do not curtail visas for skilled workers who benefit us

America's high quality education institutions and advanced STEM industry has been key to attracting talent globally. We have benefited immensely from the contributions of immigrants in highly specialized fields, particularly innovation in digital companies--a sector in which America is unquestionably the leader. Limiting access for immigrants harms our global competitiveness. I have supported expanding work visas for highly skilled jobs and removing the per country cap on employment based visas.
Source: ScienceDebate.org on 2020 Congressional NY-26 election Oct 9, 2020

Carolyn Maloney: Visa restrictions are racist and anti-American

I disagree with these restrictions. They are racist, discriminatory, anti-science and anti-American. We should be allowing these workers, who want to come and make a better life for themselves and their families while pursuing goals in science and technology that will help strengthen our economy, security and public health.
Source: ScienceDebate.org on 2020 Congressional NY-12 election Oct 9, 2020

Colin Allred: Supports DREAMers and path to citizenship

Immigrants enrich every facet of our communities, and ensuring that everyone, regardless of who they are or where they come from, are able to live your version of the American Dream benefits us all. I support comprehensive immigration reform that includes securing our borders, protecting DREAMers, and providing a pathway to earned citizenship for those who are working hard and paying taxes. I support skilled work and training visas such as H-1B and F-1 visas.
Source: ScienceDebate.org on 2020 Congressional TX-32 election Oct 9, 2020

Eddie Bernice Johnson: Give business the freedom to hire skilled foreign workers

We should create a twenty-first century immigration system that will stimulate jobs, enhance global competitiveness, and help to grow a highly skilled U.S. workforce. The bipartisan Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act gives American businesses the freedom to hire and retain the skilled workers they need. Many of companies depend on foreign professionals who graduate with critical science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, degrees from U.S. universities.
Source: ScienceDebate.org on 2020 Congressional TX-30 election Oct 9, 2020

Joe Morelle: Against restrictions in new work visas for skilled workers

Q: Restrictions and suspensions of new work visas, especially for high-skilled workers in science and technology fields, could affect scientific progress and innovation. Do you agree with these restrictions? Why or why not?

A: I do not agree with these restrictions and believe work visas are important to cultivating a highly skilled, competitive workforce.

Source: ScienceDebate.org on 2020 Congressional NY-25 election Oct 9, 2020

Mondaire Jones: Immigrant rights are human rights

I oppose restricting or suspending new work visas. I would not be here today had my paternal grandfather not immigrated to New York City from Kingston, Jamaica. Immigrants are the backbone of our society. Immigrants can contribute so much to our scientific progress, advancing medicine, technology, and basic research. We must center our immigration system around human rights, uniting families, dignity, and strengthening our economy.
Source: ScienceDebate.org on 2020 Congressional NY-2 election Oct 9, 2020

Paul Tonko: Advocates no restrictions on visas for skilled workers

Q: Restrictions and suspensions of new work visas, especially for skilled workers in science and technology fields, could affect scientific progress. Do you agree with these restrictions?

A: No, I have long fought against these xenophobic policies of this White House that only serve to decrease our standing across the globe, hamstring institutions like RPI, and appease political ideologies that contradict what we work toward every day--a society of equality, inclusion and fairness.

Source: ScienceDebate.org on 2020 Congressional NY-20 election Oct 9, 2020

Steve Lynch: Against bureaucratic delays affecting immigrant STEM workers

Immigrant workers are an invaluable part of our STEM workforce in Massachusetts and nationwide. In appreciation that our immigrant workforce helps us to fill critical skills gaps in our STEM workforce and adds to the excellence and diversity of STEM employment sectors, I have been strongly supportive of efforts to ensure that these talented workers are able to continue to be innovators in their STEM fields in Massachusetts and are not subject to unnecessary bureaucratic delays.
Source: ScienceDebate.org on 2020 MA-8 House race Oct 9, 2020

  • The above quotations are from 20 Questions on science from ScienceDebate.org.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Immigration.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
  • Click here for more quotes by Mondaire Jones on Immigration.
  • Click here for more quotes by Colin Allred on Immigration.
2020 Presidential contenders on Immigration:
  Democrats running for President:
Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO)
V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE)
Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC)
Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT)
Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN)
Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Rep.John Delaney (D-MD)
Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI)
Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA)
Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Marianne Williamson (D-CA)
CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY)

2020 Third Party Candidates:
Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI)
CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Howie Hawkins (G-NY)
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Howard Schultz(I-WA)
Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN)
Republicans running for President:
Sen.Ted Cruz(R-TX)
Gov.Larry Hogan (R-MD)
Gov.John Kasich(R-OH)
V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
Gov.Mark Sanford (R-SC)
Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY)
Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL)
Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY)

2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:
Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA)
Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC)
Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK)
Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
Gov.Jay Inslee (D-WA)
Mayor Wayne Messam (D-FL)
Rep.Seth Moulton (D-MA)
Rep.Beto O`Rourke (D-TX)
Rep.Tim Ryan (D-CA)
Adm.Joe Sestak (D-PA)
Rep.Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
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Page last updated: Dec 10, 2020