Immigration

As a Cuban American immigrant, Mayor Martinez understands the important and vital role immigrants serve in our country. Raul believes comprehensive reform must include strengthening of our borders, greater cross-cooperation with our neighbors, strict but fair enforcement of our laws, federal assistance to our state and local governments, strict penalties for those who exploit undocumented workers, and a path to earned legal status for those who are here, working hard, paying taxes, respecting the law, and willing to meet a high bar.

Raul strongly believes we need to do more to know who is in our country by securing our borders and ensuring that employers comply with the law against hiring and exploiting undocumented workers. I support deploying new technology that can help stop the flow of undocumented immigrants into the country and an employer verification system that is universal, accurate, timely, and does not lead to discrimination and abuse by employers.

Along with these changes, Raul believes we need to repair those broken portions of our immigration system that irrevocably damage families and force citizens and lawful immigrants to choose between their newly adopted country and living with their spouse or children. We have a national interest in fostering strong families.

Dream Act

Mayor Raul Martinez understands the unique circumstances that sometimes involve the children of undocumented immigrants who have grown up and studied in this country.

If these young persons have been above average students and citizens then we should give these best and brightest the opportunity to stay in this country and help us prosper as a nation.