Candidates say wall on border is not solution

The path to citizenship should come at a price, say Democratic challengers in the 10th Congressional District.

Dan Seals and Jay Footlik discard the notion that the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in the U.S. can be sent back to their homelands and agree more manpower and sophisticated equipment is needed to protect borders.

"You build a 20-foot wall (and) you'll sell 21-foot ladders. It doesn't solve the problem," Seals said.

Footlik says the U.S. needs to invest in more border agents and smart technology, "not building long fences and high fences."

Neither offered specifics on how much should be spent or where the money would come from. Both say fines levied on illegal immigrants seeking citizenship as well on companies employing them could be channeled into security measures.

Footlik said funds currently spent in Iraq could be one source.

"We need to reprioritize everything in Iraq and tax cuts for the wealthiest," he said.

Seals said cutting federal spending could be a source.

After improving security, working with the Mexican government should be a priority, according to Seals.

"If Mexico is going to have a mature relationship with our country it has to own up to its responsibilities in controlling the flow of people across its border," he said.

Seals favors work visas for undocumented workers under certain conditions, such as passing a criminal background check and proving financial independence.

"I don't think these people should be able to live off our (social service) system," he said.

Undocumented workers should pay a penalty for illegal entry and go to the end of the line for securing legal status.

"I don't make it automatic citizenship. We call it fair and tough," Seals said.

Footlik calls for similar measures adding that employers need to share some responsibility. The fine structure for businesses employing undocumented workers as well as the enforcement practices should be reviewed, he said.

"We should enforce the fines that are in place," he said. "Are people (businesses) blowing it off because it's a lame fine and they can take the risk?"

He also said authorities need to "crack down on employers who engage in illegal hiring practices."

Both say the federal government should take the lead on immigration efforts, rather than having local police departments, such as Waukegan's, seeking federal deportation powers.

"I don't think it's what the police should be doing because they're not set up to do that," Seals said.

"I don't know that local police forces have that kind of training … to do the job the federal government should be doing," Footlik said.