With Michael Steele being mentioned as a contender for Chairman of the Republican National Committee, those interested in border security may be curious to know his record.  Although Steele's former position as Lieutenant Governor of Maryland did not provide him with many opportunities to directly improve border security, it bears noting that he has been an outspoken advocate of securing the border.

 "Secure the Borders First":

The American people are fed up and won’t be misled again. This Congress will be judged on their actions, not their words.

 

Congress must stop the flow of illegal immigrants across our border. Once we know who is in our country then we can take the next step in immigration reform.

 

The supporters of the current Senate legislation have stated that “triggers” are in place that prevent a “pathway to citizenship” until the borders are secured.

 "Immigration Amnesty in Any Form is Wrong:"

Let's be clear: the safety and security of Americans should not be subject to the whims of a "PC" mindset or feel good legislation. Americans are expecting thoughtful and responsible leadership that will not only clearly define the threats we face, but understand what they are in the first place.

 

Governor Spitzer's [drivers' license] plan is not a cause for celebration by the left or by the right; it is just plain bad public policy. When grappling with the important issues, Americans want elected leadership to put aside partisan politics and just make the right decision. The non-partisan public outcry that has accompanied attempts by politicians to grant some form of amnesty to illegal immigrants supports this fact.

 As published in the Frederick News-Post Aug 8, 2006

Steele opposes amnesty for undocumented workers because he said the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 encouraged more than 12 million undocumented immigrants to flood the United States over the past 20 years...

 

Steele said Congress' priority should be border control before it should tackle the problem of undocumented immigrants already in the country. "If we're out on the Chesapeake Bay and we spring a leak, what are we going to do, bail water or stop the leak?" he said. "When you stop the leak you have the peace of mind to deal with the water that has accumulated in the boat."

 To the Baltimore Sun:

Q: Discuss your views on immigration reform, particularly with regard to undocumented aliens already in this country.

 

A: ...Until we see Congress take some real and immediate steps to secure our borders, we can hardly expect Americans to seriously consider proposals for dealing with those illegal immigrants already in our county and those employers who fail to adequately report them. Nearly 1.2 million people were arrested trying to illegally enter the U.S. through the Mexican border last year alone, and an estimated 500,000 evaded capture. This is unacceptable. When a patient has a serious laceration, the doctor's first priority is to stop the bleeding, and then they can decide if simple stitches or surgery is needed to fix the problem for the long term. First thing's first: secure our borders and then we can deal with meaningful immigration reform.