GOP hopefuls in Iowa tout immigration stances

Two Iowa Republicans running for governor on Friday staked out get-tough positions on illegal immigration.

In separate media interviews, Sioux City businessman Bob Vander Plaats and Rep. Rod Roberts, R-Carroll, both said if elected next November, they would work to curb the presence of those illegally working, residing or receiving government benefits in Iowa.

Vander Plaats told a WHO radio audience he would propose legislation based on a new Arizona law that makes it a crime to be in the country illegally, saying Iowa must “put some teeth behind” its enforcement of immigration laws.

Roberts, during a meeting with Des Moines Register editorial board members carried live on the newspaper's website, said the federal government has been “very lax” in enforcing laws intended to curb illegal immigration. Roberts said his administration would require proper documentation of legal residency before providing benefits to those applying for government assistance. He also would advocate taking punitive measures against businesses or

employers who knowingly hire undocumented workers. He said he would take “a serious look” at implementing a law similar to Arizona's given the federal “unwillingness” to address the issue.

“I believe the federal government has failed the states, I think it's failed the citizens to enforce the laws that are already on the books,” he said. “Unless the federal government steps up and does something, every state is going to follow suit, and Iowa should proactively look at the challenge we have here.”

Vander Plaats took issue with current state enforcement efforts, saying Gov. Chet Culver's actions are not commensurate with his rhetoric.

“Gov. Culver is right when he says illegal is illegal, but we have to put some teeth behind it. He said we need to enforce current laws on the books but his administration is not doing that,” Vander Plaats said. “It began

with his predecessor and he has continued the practice where they don't refer to ‘illegal aliens'

but instead call them

‘undocumented immigrants.' They are here illegally.”

Donn Stanley, manager of the Culver/Judge re-election campaign, said Culver does not support the recently enacted Arizona law.

“The problem of illegal immigration is a national problem that needs a federal remedy. A comprehensive federal answer is needed to address this important issue, not a patchwork of state laws,” Stanley said.

“Gov. Culver has always cooperated with federal authorities to enforce the law in Iowa. He believes many illegal immigrants work for sub-minimum wages in workplaces that don't come close to meeting health and safety standards. This isn't fair to Iowa workers and businesses that play by the rules. Iowa will continue to enforce the minimum wage law and other basic labor standards, and make sure that employers obey the law,” he added.

Tim Albrecht, spokesman for former Gov. Terry Branstad, the third Republican seeking the GOP gubernatorial nomination in the June 8 primary election, said Branstad has been a long-time supporter of legal immigration, and believes Iowa should welcome those who come to the state legally.

“He does not believe we should offer amnesty, sanctuary cities or state-funded assistance to those who broke our laws to come here illegally,” Albrecht said. “The governor believes we should enforce our existing laws, and if federal officials refuse to enforce our border laws, then we will need to look at Iowa-specific legislation with regard to illegal immigration.”