Every nation has the right and an obligation to its citizens to control access to their country and to identify a process that limits the privilege of access to persons of their choice.  A nation cannot maintain its sovereignty and it ceases to be an independent state if it fails to control immigration. 

The Tea Party does wish to encourage immigration because we recognize that we are a nation of immigrants.  However, immigration must be controlled. 

1.      The State Department is obligated to restrict and refuse access to this country to persons who fit the profile of individuals with whom this nation is at war.  The only exception to this would allow that persons fitting this profile may request an exception if they meet all criteria and have their application approved by the President of the United States.

2.      All those applying for permanent access to this country must have a visible means of support or a sponsor who must demonstrate the ability and attest to their willingness to support the applicant and accept responsibility for any unpaid taxes or other financial obligations incurred by the applicant while in the country. 

3.      On their application the applicant must acknowledge that if a sponsorship is withdrawn and they have not developed some other means of support that their visa will be revoked and they must leave the country. 

4.      Applicants must acknowledge that they are not eligible for state, local or federal assistance unless and until they become citizens. 

5.      Persons applying for access to this country must acknowledge their understanding that ALL the laws of this country apply to them and should they not be willing to accept the laws or should they violate the laws of this country they must surrender their visa and leave the country.

6.      Persons applying for access to this country must recognize that their children, regardless of their birthplace may not be abused or harmed in any manner no matter how consistent with their traditional religious beliefs. 

7.      The State Department shall restrict access to persons whose backgrounds are consistent with the backgrounds of persons who have historically demonstrated an unwillingness to assimilate with our culture or who historically have presented a burden to the American taxpayer. 

8.      Any immigrant who commits a felony while in this country shall be immediately deported unless the act is sufficient that it requires incarceration.  If so, upon the completion of any prison sentence the immigrant shall be deported. 

Affirmative Argument

It is often stated that our strength is our diversity.  No.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Our strength is that as our heritage we have taken persons of diverse backgrounds and they were able to assimilate with one another in our wonderful melting pot to build a single culture. 

We are a nation of immigrants.  We have no right to refuse access to this country to persons wishing to enter who seek independence, liberty, freedom or economic advantage.  We do however have the right to control that access, limit the numbers and identify those who we favor joining our nation based upon the history certain groups have demonstrated regarding their willingness to learn our language and assimilate with our culture.    

It should be regarded as a privilege to live in this country and a greater privilege to earn the status of a naturalized citizen.  Persons wishing to live here must come by lawful means and must accept the American way of life as their new way of life.  There should be no room in this country for persons who wish to immigrate but then live in ethnic ghettos for the purpose of governing themselves by any means inconsistent with our federal, state or local laws or the Constitution.