If you say the word amnesty - the 'A-word,' so to speak - it's DOA. If there's even a hint of amnesty in my district, it's dead on arrival.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
Amnesty is a big billboard, a flashing billboard, to the rest of the world that we don't really mean our immigration law.
Amnesty is the forgiveness of something. Amnesty is anything that says, 'Do it illegally, it will be cheaper and easier.'
If there's amnesty leading to citizenship, I'm going to vote against it again.
I don't believe in amnesty... What I have proposed is that we would come forth with a program that allows individuals to come forward and to plead guilty... They would have to pay a fine; they would have to go through a background check - some say learn English - and they would get learned legal status.
Amnesty is not the answer as it will only encourage more illegal immigrants to enter.
Amnesty is a terrible policy, and it's terrible politics. It's a terrible policy because you are rewarding people for breaking the law.
I introduced legislation in the Senate to prohibit President Obama's amnesty. The House of Representatives stood up and led. It took the legislation I introduced and it passed it. But the Senate Democrats stood as one uniform block and said, 'No, we will do nothing to stop amnesty.'
I'm not in favor of any amnesty whatsoever.
I will support a path to citizenship if it does not fall within the definition of amnesty, and we've got to define what amnesty is in this country.
Amnesty is as good for those who give it as for those who receive it. It has the admirable quality of bestowing mercy on both sides.