Earlier this summer, the Post asked our readers what issues you wanted to hear candidates in contested races address leading up to the Nov. 5. election.
Based on that feedback, we developed a five-item questionnaire centering the issues most important to residents across Johnson County.
Each day this week, we’ll publish the candidates’ responses to one question.
Today, we’re publishing candidates’ responses to the following question:
Immigration is a key issue in this year’s presidential race and promises to be a topic of much debate in the next Congress. Readers want to know where you stand on policies impacting both legal and illegal immigration. Do you support enforcing current immigration laws, and do you back current efforts to limit crossings at the U.S. southern border? In turn, do you support creating a legal pathway to citizenship for those who have entered the country illegally, and how should this be done?
Below are the answers the Post received from candidates on the issue:
Rep. Sharice Davids (Democratic, incumbent)
Our immigration system is broken, and Washington has failed to fix it for far too long. That’s why I’ve pushed back against my own party and urged the Biden administration to negotiate with House Republicans on a bipartisan and comprehensive immigration reform bill.
And I’ve urged Speaker Johnson to engage in good-faith negotiations on the bipartisan package agreed to in the Senate. This bill, supported by the Border Patrol Union, was the strictest border legislation in decades, but my opponent said he would not support it. Instead of avoiding hard decisions and using this issue to score political points, both parties need to work on solutions to address our immigration challenges once and for all.
I’ve voted for several bipartisan laws to secure our border, hire more border patrol agents, and crack down on the smuggling of illegal drugs, including fentanyl. These are the kinds of real, tangible border security investments we can all agree on. Ultimately, we need a comprehensive and bipartisan solution to truly address these issues. That must include securing our borders along with a roadmap to citizenship, especially for people who have served in our military and dreamers. We need a smart, humane, and fair immigration system that remains true to our values.
Prasanth Reddy (Republican)
Immigration is an issue that affects not only our national security but also our economy and communities. As a proud immigrant myself, I deeply understand the value of legal immigration and the incredible contributions immigrants make to this country.
First and foremost, I support enforcing our current immigration laws. We must ensure that the laws already in place are upheld to maintain the rule of law. When it comes to the U.S. southern border, I believe it is essential to limit illegal crossings, and I back efforts to secure our borders. Without border security, we cannot address the deeper issues that stem from illegal immigration, such as the influx of fentanyl and human trafficking.
However, we must also recognize the reality that millions of individuals have entered the country illegally over the years. While I do not support blanket amnesty, I believe we need to explore legal pathways for those who have been in the country for an extended period, have abided by our laws, and are contributing members of society. This process must be tied to strict requirements such as background checks, paying taxes, and learning English to ensure that those who wish to stay are committed to becoming fully integrated into the American fabric.
Immigration reform is not an either-or situation—it requires a balanced approach that respects our laws, secures our borders, and provides fair opportunities for those who are willing to follow a legal path.
Steve Roberts (Libertarian)
Did not provide the Post with a response.
Coming up:
Tomorrow we will publish the candidates’ responses to the following question:
Residents of Johnson County have been lodging complaints for months about slow mail delivery times. The problem, in some cases, has impacted the delivery of prescription drugs and also led to some mail-in ballots for August’s primary elections being tossed. What will you do to hold the U.S. Postal Service accountable and ensure Kansans start getting their mail in a timely manner once again?
