Hello Everyone,
As we begin this journey to campaign for the district 30 House Seat, I want to take a moment to express my deep gratitude for the support I’ve received so far. It truly means the world as we work together toward a better future for our community. If you've been following the news, you know that this week in Indiana has been filled with discussions on how to address the issue of illegal immigration. Immigration, I believe, is not just an important topic, it’s a necessary one, especially when we look at it through the lens of social justice.
This is a subject I’ve thought long and hard about for many reasons. For those who don’t know, I’m of Hispanic descent, and the Martinez side of my family, immigrated to the United States around a century ago. Like so many others, they came in pursuit of the American Dream, a dream to build a better life, to establish themselves, and to provide opportunities for future generations. They became business owners and entrepreneurs, and today, proudly carry on a legacy of public service and philanthropy. The Martinez story, like so many others, is rooted in the opportunity that immigration can provide.
In recent years, I’ve spent time speaking with immigrants in our community from all walks of life, Mexican, Haitian, Indian, Afghani, and many others who have successfully gone through the legal immigration process. What stands out to me from these conversations is that all of these legal immigrants strongly support the U.S. deportation policies. It’s a stark contrast to the ongoing debate in Indiana, where some are advocating for the rights of illegal immigrants and their perceived constitutional protections. This contrast has sparked a personal journey of self-reflection, where I’ve had to carefully consider where I stand on the issue.
After much thought, I’ve concluded that I cannot, in good conscience, support any legislation that allows illegal or undocumented immigrants to freely enter and remain in the United States. The disregard for our nation’s laws creates a culture of fear and division within our communities and this is a problem that demands swift action. At the same time, I recognize that the current immigration process is frustratingly long and burdensome, often taking 8 to 10 years for individuals to secure citizenship.
That’s why, if elected, I would propose a Joint Resolution between the Indiana House and Senate to urge U.S. Congress to reform the immigration process. My proposal would expedite the application process, reducing the application time to a maximum of one year, followed by a four-year Probationary Citizenship. This would allow individuals to begin their new lives sooner; while still ensuring they complete the necessary steps to become full citizens. During the first year, they would be granted provisional status, enabling them to obtain licenses, seek housing, and begin integrating into American society. Over the following four years, they would be required to complete citizenship classes and other necessary steps to finalize their citizenship.
Of course, the standards for immigration would remain in place, and applicants would be closely monitored during this probationary period. Those who commit violent crimes or fail to contribute to society, would immediately lose their provisional status and be deported to their country of origin.
I want to acknowledge that there are many more specifics and logistics to work out before we can bring this vision to life. The conversations surrounding immigration within the U.S. is something that has been ongoing for decades now and I am sure will continue long into the future. But this is where I currently stand, and I’m eager to hear your thoughts on how we can move forward as a community.
Thank you once again for your support and for taking the time to read this post. Please, leave a comment with your thoughts, I’m looking forward to hearing from you!
Tony
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