SAN ANTONIO — State Senator Roland Gutierrez says he has a plan to fix the immigration system. Gutierrez says his plan will safeguard communities along the border, accelerate the economy, stabilize social security, and address cartel violence.
Gutierrez announced a five point plan to address issues at the border.
Gutierrez is the son of immigrants, an immigration attorney, serving in the Texas Legislature for the past 20 years. His district includes about 400 miles of the Texas-Mexico border.
He says he has been dealing with immigration issues all his life.
"Trying to you know, help not just families that are looking for opportunity and a dream, but also companies in this country trying to find foreign national for jobs that American's don't want," said Senator Gutierrez.
Gutierrez says one way his plan will address immigration is by combating cartels.
"We set aside money for the DEA to go like we did in Colombia, go after Mexican cartels in the right way with the cooperation of the Mexican Government. We have to acknowledge that half of all AR-15 rifles that are made every year end up in Mexico," said Gutierrez.
Gutierrez says we need to get cartels out of the business of bringing migrants across the borders.
"Where people can apply for a job at a U.S. Consulate in Nicaragua, El Salvador, wherever. We get a background check and within 90 days, be able to have bus fare and a visa into the country. Our current economy can absorb 30 million workers in jobs, that American's don't want," said Gutierrez.
Gutierrez says the added workers will not only boost the economy, but stabilize Social Security for years to come.
"We should be able to take the 12 million migrants that have been here for the last 20 years, and create a pathway to residency for them. Take the million dreamers and create a pathway to citizenship for them," said Gutierrez.
Gutierrez also included revising Visa programs.
"That quite frankly have become onerous for us all," said Gutierrez.
Gutierrez is also critical of the border wall calling it a 12th century solution to 21st century problems.
"That's not what we need. We need jobs programs for this nation to fill the jobs that American's don't want to do. In doing that you lift up those countries, because people send money back home, and you provide opportunity through all of the America's," said Gutierrez.