Immigration the hot topic in the 8th

Just as the war in Iraq was the top issue in congressional races two years ago, illegal immigration is among the hottest topics on campaign trails across the nation today.

That's certainly true in Illinois' 8th Congressional District, where two-term Rep. Melissa Bean is being challenged by activist Randi Scheurer in the Feb. 5 Democratic primary.

Bean, of Barrington, has supported legislation that would crack down on people trying to enter or stay in the United States illegally. Scheurer, of Lindenhurst, believes the government should go even further by temporarily halting all immigration.

The 8th District includes northwest Cook, western Lake and eastern McHenry counties.

The candidates answered questions about immigration and other issues in questionnaires for the Daily Herald and in follow-up interviews.

Since joining the House in 2005, Bean has supported legislation that would build border fences, increase patrol agents and toughen penalties for those who break immigration laws.

She now backs a bill called the Secure America Through Verification and Enforcement Act that would add 8,000 Border Patrol agents and force employers to check for specific forms of identification as a way to limit illegal immigrants working here.

"While America is strengthened economically and culturally by those Americans who immigrated to our country legally, it is imperative that we secure our nation's borders in the interests of national security," Bean, 45, said.

Scheurer, 56, called for a temporary moratorium on all immigration to ensure people entering the country are not dangerous. When asked, she suggested a one-year immigration ban.

"We have not organized our house very well," said Scheurer, a retired educator whose husband, Bill, ran against Bean as a Moderate Party candidate in 2006. "We have to know who's coming in and who's going out."

Immigrants already working in the United States should pay Social Security and income taxes, she said, and American businesses should be financially penalized for hiring illegal immigrants.

Scheurer disagrees with Bean on the need for physical barriers at America's borders. Diplomacy and economic programs will keep foreigners in their own countries better than walls, she said.

"Billions of dollars in boondoggle walls will not solve our problems," she said.

Scheurer also said the U.S. military should withdraw from its posts around the world and be reassigned to guard all of our borders.

Three Republicans -- Kenneth Arnold, Steve Greenberg and Kirk Morris -- will face off in a GOP primary for the 8th District seat in February.

Moderate Party candidate Iain Abernathy also is seeking the seat.