Will County Gazette

Republican congressional candidate Nick Stella believes immigration is a matter of national security and he recently took to social media to discuss the importance of addressing the issue.

“First, we need to secure our borders for the safety and protection of those who are here,” Stella posted on Facebook. “Those who enter this country illegally or overstay their visas, are being used as political pawns. They are pitted against the desires of American families and those who went through the process of becoming legal citizens.”

Stella, a former Downers Grove Township GOP precinct committeeman, is running against U.S. Rep. Bill Foster for the 11th House District candidate. He believes the pursuit of a better life should not come at the expense of other people’s security, he said.

Rep. Bill Foster

“Everyone wants the opportunity to pursue their dreams but not at the cost of safety,” Stella said. “There are common sense solutions. Congressman Foster is too busy playing politics to work at finding those solutions.”

The Aug. 22 post was accompanied by a link to Stella's website where he specifies further steps the government should take to combat illegal immigration.

“I will call for an audit of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services to rectify the gridlock of legal immigration,” he said. “This will afford these individuals the opportunity to apply for citizenship, but will not advance them before those who have applied the right and fair way.”

The 11th Congressional District covers parts of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will counties.