MYTH: Opponents allege that Steve Poizner is new to the illegal immigration debate.

FACT: Steve Poizner has a long history of taking a tough stance on illegal immigration.
Since the start of his campaign Steve Poizner has taken a “hard line” on illegal immigration, as documented by the San Francisco Chronicle in February 2009. While Steve Poizner recognizes the strong benefits of legal immigration to California and all of its contributions to the state’s rich and vibrant culture, the uncontrolled flow of illegal immigration must end. Steve is the only candidate offering a bold approach to the issue of ending illegal immigration.

Steve’s position on immigration has been the same since his run for State Assembly in 2004. During a debate, Republican candidate Steve Poizner, running in a liberal district in the Bay Area, explained his tough position on illegal immigration and the need to cut benefits for people residing unlawfully in this country (click to play video).

In 2006, he continued his tough stance against illegal immigration and made his opposition to driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants part of his platform as the Republican candidate for California Insurance Commissioner. Steve won that election as one of only two Republicans elected to statewide office in California in 2006.

Unlike his primary opponent, Steve has always been very engaged in public service. Recently, Steve took his third trip to the U.S.-Mexico border. The first visit was as a White House Fellow in 2002, when he worked in the Bush Administration as the Director of Critical Infrastructure Protection in the National Security Council. In the summer of 2009, he visited the Calexico border crossing to examine the issues firsthand.

Steve opposes amnesty and is proposing the passage of a measure to stop taxpayer-funded benefits to illegal immigrants, similar to legislation passed in 10 other states. Steve is the only candidate to stand with the people of Arizona and supports the Arizona immigration law.