Arizona Congress candidates weigh in on deportations

Deportations under President Barack Obama are at an all-time high.

In just more than five years since Obama took office, the United States has exceeded 2 million deportations. That exceeds the previous record met in eight years by President George W. Bush's administration, which ramped up deportations after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Obama has defended the deportation policy against critics, saying it prioritizes removing dangerous criminals and minimizing disruptions to families and communities.

The Phoenix-based district is heavily Hispanic, and deportation cases are a mainstay of the constituent work in retiring Rep. Ed Pastor's office. Whoever replaces Pastor will have a voice on deportation policy and immigration reform in Washington. Responses have been edited for length.

Cesar Chavez, Democrat:
"I will not speculate on what the President should do. Reason: President Obama has many factors to consider and any actions must be based on factual data (data I do not have)."

State Sen. Steve Gallardo, Democrat:
"I support the guidelines outlined in a memo issued by former Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director John Morton. Specifically, Morton stated that limited resources should be devoted to targeting and removing the undocumented who do not pose a danger to national security or a risk to public safety. Director Morton also stated that ICE should refrain from pursuing non-citizens with close family, education and military ties to the United States giving officers prosecutorial discretion using those factors to make decisions.

"President Obama has the ability with the stroke of a pen to grant a new executive order that broadens the parameters of individuals protected by deferred action using the guidelines outlined in the Morton memo. This can be done until the House passes a new immigration policy that will legalize migrants already here."

Former state Rep. Ruben Gallego, Democrat:
"President Obama promised immigration reform, but instead his administration is deporting law-abiding members of our community and breaking up families. The administration is even deporting military veterans whose immigration status only became an issue after they served in combat.... I will urge the president to end the deportations through executive action until we get comprehensive reform.

"...We need to enact the DREAM Act; stop deporting non-criminals and breaking up families; provide temporary protected status for those already living here who do follow the law; develop a pathway to citizenship; and secure the border."

Jose Peñalosa, independent:
"President Obama's first step to reduce the record pace of deportations starts with the termination of Secured Communities — an administrative, interior enforcement program. Concurrently, he must establish the 'family deferred action' program for immigrants that are persons of good moral character and arrived in the U.S. prior to Dec. 31, 2011, in accordance with the relief provisions of the Senate's 2013 (comprehensive immigration) bill. An eligible immigrant will receive employment authorization, a Social Security card and a driver's license.

"...President Obama can also extend parole-in-place to undocumented family members of first responders, so that they may immigrate in the United States. Similarly, Mr. Obama can respect the provisions of the United American Families Act, which has been pending for years, for the LGBT community."

Maricopa County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox, Democrat:
"President Obama needs to take immediate action today to stop the deportation and separation of families across this nation. His policy on deportations is flawed and only serves to hurt families and punish innocent people.

"...Anyone who commits a serious crime against our communities — human traffickers, violent criminals, sex offenders and those working for the drug cartels — should ... not only be deported but prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law ....

"These criminals are the exact opposite of the innocent families who are being targeted under the Obama administration's deportation policy. Further, this harsh and unjust policy only encourages people like Sheriff Joe Arpaio, whose racist tactics I have fought against for many years and vehemently oppose."

Republic reporter Daniel González contributed to this article.