Politics

Scott Walker On Amnesty: ‘My Views Have Changed’ [VIDEO]

Alex Griswold Media Reporter
Font Size:

Republican Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker admitted on “Fox News Sunday” that while he once supported amnesty for illegal immigrants, his view had changed in light of President Barack Obama’s executive actions. (VIDEO: Scott Walker Hits Back At ‘Elitist’ Howard Dean For Insulting His Lack Of College Degree)

WALKER: Well, I don’t believe in amnesty. Part of the reason why I made that a firm position, is that I look at the way that this president has mishandled that issue. I’m one of the governors that join — I was one of the first governors that joined the lawsuit that has been successful at least on this initial technicality, and I hope we prevail ultimately throughout the courts. And then going forward, the way to enforce it is not through amnesty. I think the better approach is to enforce the laws and to give employers, job creators the tools like E-Verify and other things to make sure the law is being upheld going forward.

HOST CHRIS WALLACE: The question [in 2013] was, ‘Can you envision a world where if these people paid a penalty that they would have a path to citizenship?’ and you said, ‘Sure, that makes sense.’

WALKER: I believe there’s a way you can do that. First and foremost, you have to secure that border, or none of these plans make any sense.

WALLACE: But it’s a little bit slippery here. Back when you were the Milwaukee County Executive, you actually supported the Kennedy-McCain comprehensive immigration plan. Are you basically saying as part of a comprehensive plan, tough enforcement, E-Verify, the 11 million people here pay penalty, they get citizenship?

WALKER: No, I’m not talking about amnesty. The reason for that, over time —

WALLACE: But you said you supported it.

WALKER: And my view has changed. I’m flat out saying it. Candidates can say that; sometimes they don’t.

WALLACE: So you changed from 2013?

WALKER: Absolutely. I look at the problems we’ve experienced over the last few years. I talked to governors on the border and others out there, I’ve talked to people all across America, and the concerns I have is that we need to secure the border. We ultimately need to put in place a system that works, a legal immigration system that works. And part of this is to put the onus on employers, getting them E-Verify and tools to do that. But I don’t think we do it through amnesty.

Follow Alex Griswold on Twitter