(CNSNews.com) - Gov. John Kasich (R) says his immigration plan includes a wall, a guest worker program, and a pathway to citizenship for the millions of "law-abiding" people who are in the country illegally:
"But for those that are law-abiding, a path to legalization is, I think, it can be accomplished, I think that is a sweet spot in terms of what the American people will accept, and I think also something that could pass the Congress of the United States."
Fox News's Greta Van Sustern asked Kasich on Monday, "What is your idea how to address the illegal immigration issue?"
"In a nutshell, I would build the wall, and I would use the sensor and the technology," Kasich responded. "I would make it clear that anybody that tries to come over that wall, no more excuses. You are going back.
"But I would have a guest worker program so people could come in, work, and then return.
"And then for the 11 or 12 million that are here, if you are law-abiding, then we would give you a path to legalization. You'll have to pay a fine. You'll have to wait. You'll have to assimilate.
"For those that violated the law, they are either going to be deported or put in prison. But for those that are law abiding, a path to legalization is, I think, it can be accomplished, I think that is a sweet spot in terms of what the American people will accept, and I think also something that could pass the Congress of the United States."
Kasich's views on immigration are much closer to those of Jeb Bush than Donald Trump. Bush also advocates bringing 11 million people "out from the shadows" so they can "receive earned legal status" over time.
In April, Bush admitted that people who sneak into the country are doing so out of love: "Yes, they broke the law, but it’s not a felony. It’s an act of love. It’s an act of commitment to your family. I honestly think that that is a different kind of crime that there should be a price paid, but it shouldn’t rile people up that people are actually coming to this country to provide for their families."
Donald Trump, on the other hand, says he would build a big (beautiful) wall and make Mexico pay for it. He also says he would triple the number of immigration officers; end birthright citizenship; make the e-verify system mandatory; end catch-and-release at the border; deport all aliens to their home countries, allowing only the "good ones" to return legally; defund sanctuary cities; boost the penalties for overstaying a visa; and require U.S. companies to hire American workers first.