According to a candidate survey in The Tennessean, the only Republican primary challenger to Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) says he wants a pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens.
Tres Wittum, 37, a former aide to Tennessee Senate leadership, says he wants to “update the [immigration] system.”
“Make clear pathway to citizenship,” Wittum (pictured above) said. “Have judges ready to go, open more courts to get illegals caught out of our country faster. Develop an (digital) economy hard for illegals to cheat and be involved in.”
About 10 million illegal aliens have entered the United States under President Joe Biden’s administration alone. The widely accepted figure for the number of illegal aliens in the United States prior to Biden’s presidency was about 11 million; however, a 2018 Yale University study found that there were about 22 million illegal aliens in the United States before Biden taking over.
Under Wittum’s plan, it appears that somewhere between 21 million and 32 million illegal aliens could become citizens, depending on whether the number of illegal aliens residing in the United States is the generally accepted figure of 11 million or Yale’s figure of 22 million.
In a different part of the survey, Wittum reiterates that he wants to update the immigration system but does not describe exactly what that means.
“I will work to end illegal immigration by enhancing border security, updating our immigration system, and enforcing tougher laws against illegal activities,” he said. “A secure border is essential for protecting American jobs and communities.”
In 2022, after leaving his job in the Tennessee Senate, Wittum ran for U.S. Congress in the Republican primary against Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN-05). He placed dead last, garnering only 398 votes, and was one of five candidates who finished behind Robby Starbuck, who ran as a Write-In candidate.
His LinkedIn profile says he has been a contributor and panelist at WZTV since 2019, but The Tennessee Star could only find one instance of Wittum appearing on a panel, which was in 2023. The profile also says he is a contributor and writer for the publication Nashville Noise, but he has only written three stories on that website, the latest one being published in 2021.
His X profile describes him as an entrepreneur, investor, and actor.
According to the latest Federal Election Commission data, Wittum has raised $0 this election cycle, compared to Blackburn’s $12.4 million.
For her part, Blackburn strongly opposes a pathway to citizenship.
“There can be no pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants,” she said just two weeks ago on X.
There can be no pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants.
— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) June 17, 2024
She also criticized Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (R-NY) for his May immigration “reform” bill that would have allowed a pathway to citizenship. That vote failed in the Senate.
“Chuck Schumer’s open border bill allows thousands of illegals PER DAY to cross our southern border & creates for them a 5-year pathway to citizenship,” she said on X. “I’m holding a press conference today to expose this legislation for what it really is — a fake immigration bill.”
Chuck Schumer’s open border bill allows thousands of illegals PER DAY to cross our southern border & creates for them a 5-year pathway to citizenship.
I’m holding a press conference today to expose this legislation for what it really is — a fake immigration bill.
— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) May 22, 2024
During that press conference, she called the bill “an election year political stunt designed to give our Democratic colleagues the appearance of doing something about this problem without doing anything.
– – –
Pete D’Abrosca is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Pete on X/Twitter.
Photo “Tres Wittum” by Tres Wittum and “Illegal Immigrant Caravan” by US Border Patrol Chief John Modlin.
