Seals outlines plan for illegal immigration

Both candidates in the race for the 10th congressional district seat insist the federal government hasn't done enough to stop illegal immigration.

Only one, however, has a plan for dealing with illegal immigrants already here.

Democrat Dan Seals and Republican Robert Dold also differ on how best to stop more foreigners from entering the U.S. illegally.

During a discussion with reporters and editors at the Daily Herald's headquarters in Arlington Heights on Friday, Seals proposed a four-point path to citizenship for illegal immigrants already in the U.S.

Seals' plan would require illegal immigrants seeking legal status to pay fines for entering the country illegally, pass criminal background checks, prove financial independence and sign a pledge to remain in the United States.

"If we do that, it is tough but fair, and we can actually solve this problem once and for all," said Seals, a Wilmette consultant and university lecturer. "If we just do the border and don't address the rest, the problem will continue."

When asked how he would deal with the millions of immigrants already here illegally, Dold said the nation has to do something but didn't offer any specifics.

"I don't know the best way to address them," the Kenilworth businessman said.

Dold and Seals agreed illegal immigration was a federal problem and not a state issue. They both said securing U.S. borders should be the government's first step.

Dold said the nation needs to complete the fence separating the U.S. from Mexico and send appropriate personnel to the region to patrol the border.

Dold also said the U.S. should increase the cap on legal immigration and change the process so it doesn't take so long for people to come to the U.S. legally.

He also favors increasing the guest worker program and said companies that don't verify the immigration status of workers should be punished.

Seals also was critical of employers who exploit workers and said employment laws need to be enforced.

He said he would prefer sending more border patrol officers to the region rather than building a wall on the border.

Only Seals addressed what to do with the illegal immigrants already living here.

Kicking 12 million people out of the country isn't realistic, he said.

"That's about the population of Illinois and they're marbled throughout the country - how do you really do that?" he said. "I don't think it's possible."

Dold said the government must deport illegal immigrants who commit crimes here.

"Those folks need to be (sent) back home," he said.

The candidates also talked about taxes, health care, and other matters during the roughly one-hour gathering. They agreed on some issues - for example, both voiced support for legislation aimed at helping small businesses that cleared Congress on Thursday.

They stood apart on other topics - particularly gay-rights issues.

Seals said he would vote to repeal the military's Don't Ask Don't Tell policy that prevents gays or lesbians from serving openly, calling it "a basic civil rights issue."

Dold insisted he doesn't want to prevent anyone who wants to serve in the military from doing so, but said his vote would depend on how the Pentagon says repealing the policy would affect military preparedness.

"I think we do have to consult the military and those on the ground," he said.

The candidates are further apart on the potential legalization of gay marriage.

Seals called gay marriage a matter of civil rights and an issue that should be decided nationally, but Dold said the issue should be decided state-by-state.

When asked why, Dold said: "I just think that would be the easiest way to go."

Dold said that stance doesn't conflict with his position that immigration is a national issue, not one for the states to act upon individually, as Arizona did earlier this year.

"I think you're talking about securing our borders, and that is one of the basic things the federal government does," Dold said.

Seals questioned that view.

"I'm trying to imagine if you were to do that with other civil rights issues, if you could have equality for different minorities in some states but not in others," Seals said. "I just don't see the logic there. We have equality or we don't."

The 10th District includes parts of Cook and Lake counties. Republican Mark Kirk of Highland Park now holds the post but is giving it up to run for U.S. Senate.