Fiorina to Ingraham: ‘I Am at Odds with the Koch Brothers on Immigration’

‘If there is no attempt at assimilation, if there is no requirement to learn English, than we are putting our melting pot, unique American culture, at risk’

INGRAHAM: "New examination of the numbers of people coming into the country, legally, not illegally, but legally, and then the total number of immigrants in the country today. New report just came out today based on the Census national household survey that there are 63.2% non-English speaking people in the United States. The fastest growing language in the United States is Arabic, then there’s Chinese, and so forth. What is your reaction to that number? Who voted for that influx of legal immigrants into the United States?" (5:33)
FIORINA: "Well, of course, nobody voted for it and, of course, it is an illustration of the fact that our legal immigration system is as big a problem as anything else. It’s not just that we have people sneaking across the border, it’s not just that we have sanctuary cities, it’s not just that our border is insecure. Our legal immigration system has been a problem for 25 years now, it truly has. We let the wrong people in, we send the wrong people home. And, what this requires is a top to bottom examination of what is our immigration strategy. What is the set of laws that we need to put in place that we’re prepared to enforce? For example, employer verification systems that actually work so that we can hold them accountable." (6:14)

INGRAHAM: Do you think immigration should be increased into the United States or decreased? (7:03)
FIORINA: "Well, certainly, given those two choices the answer is decreased, not increased. I also think we need to have a serious conversation about how do we help immigrants assimilate. Of course, let’s be clear, this nation was built on immigration and wave after wave of immigrants have come to this country and it has taken time for them to assimilate and learn the language. On the other hand, if there is no attempt at assimilation, if there is no requirement to learn English, than we are putting our melting pot, unique American culture, at risk. We need to have a serious conversation about this. And, I think that’s what voters really are saying. It’s why they’re so angry. It’s like, you know what, we’ve been talking about this every election cycle, literally, for decades. It’s not a new subject, yet it never changes." (7:16)

INGRAHAM: "The Koch brothers are terrific on so many issues. I think on the issue of immigration you might butt heads with them, on this issue of, especially, legal immigration. So, how does Carly Fiorina who needs the Koch brother’s money, how do you balance on that issue?" (11:35)
FIORINA: "There is no conversation with a donor of any level. I don’t care if it’s $5 or $5,000 that says this is what I will do for you on this issue. A, I wouldn’t do that. B, it’s illegal. So, the point is, this is not some trade for a position. I would not do that. And, yeah, I am at odds in some cases with where the Koch brother’s are on immigration. But, to me, the answer is very clear now, we have an immigration system that is out of control. And, it has been out of control for far too long, and I, personally, as I think most Americans are, I’m tired of listening to politicians talk about it. Because that’s all they do, they talk about it. They never lead." (11:36)

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