John Kasich on Immigration: Latinos Are 'Integral,' But America Needs to Lock Its Doors

By Michael Oleaga Oct 06 2015, 16:01 PM EDT

From the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) on late Tuesday morning, Republican presidential candidate John Kasich, current Ohio governor, spoke about why Latinos are “integral” in the U.S.

On immigration, Kasich stood firm that the U.S. needs to secure its borders. Despite USHCC President Javier Palomarez, the interviewer of the session, telling the Ohio governor that most immigrants are those who have overstayed their visas, Kasich said, "Don't you think a country needs to lock their doors?"

"It's imperative that we control our border," Kasich said, adding he wants an effective guest-worker program and a path to legalization but only for law biding immigrants.

While Donald Trump's name was not explicitly said, the real estate mogul's proposal to deport all undocumented immigrants was a topic for Kasich. Trump said he would deport at 11 million undocumented immigrants currently living in the U.S., and despite projections ranging from $114 billion to $619.4 billon, he dismissed the estimates and said it cost $130 billion a year to keep current undocumented immigrants, adding "that's peanuts compared to the real cost."

Kasich said the concept of mass deportation is "unbelievable." He said the deportation plan would send "sheer panic" to families.

"It's just not acceptable in America. ... People are here now, let them stay," Kasich said.

"We are a country of immigrants," Kasich later continued, recognizing Hispanics as "god fearing" and hard working.

Palomarez questioned Kasich's stance on providing a pathway to citizenship to immigrants. Kasich said a pathway to citizenship is an option on the table, but he doesn't favor it because "I don't believe in jumping the line." His preferred approach is a path to legalization, which is a similar stance shared with fellow Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush.

Another press immigration-related topic is birthright citizenship, a 14th Amendment provision that automatically grants U.S. citizenship to U.S.-born children, including those born from undocumented immigrants. Kasich said he did not want to discuss the issue because he stance is simple: If you're born here, you're a citizen.

While he is the governor of a battleground state, Ohio's Latino population is only 3.5 percent, significantly low compared to the 17.4 percent national average.

"I know how to get it done," Kasich said on governance.

Kasich said acknowledged there may be a challenge in Iowa but is more pleased with the progress in New Hampshire.