Caitlyn Jenner supports pathway to citizenship, says border crisis moved her to run for governor

Andrew Trunsky, DCNF

California Republican gubernatorial candidate Caitlyn Jenner supports a pathway to citizenship for the over 1.75 million unauthorized immigrants working across the state.

Jenner told CNN’s Dana Bash that the run for governor was partially inspired by the crisis on the southern border. Jenner is the latest candidate in a recall election seeking to oust Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom.

“I am for legal immigration, okay,” Jenner said. “What’s been happening on the border was honestly one of the reasons I decided to run for governor. I was watching people dying coming across the river, kids in cages ­– whatever you want to call them.”

When Bash asked whether Jenner supported a pathway to citizenship for those in the country illegally, Jenner answered yes.

“Absolutely, yeah. They should,” Jenner said. “I mean, there’s a lot of people, but personally I have met some of the most wonderful people who are immigrants, who have come to this country and they are just model citizens.”

Though Jenner’s stance is more progressive than most Republicans nationwide, it aligns with the overwhelming majority of Californians. A Public Policy Institute of California poll released in March showed that 85% of Californians – and 68% of California Republicans – supported a pathway to citizenship for immigrants in the state illegally as long as certain conditions were met.

Jenner added that “bad” immigrants should be deported, defining the group as those with criminal records and gang affiliations.

“It’s a lot of bad people that are trying to cross our border illegally,” Jenner said. “I don’t want those people in our country.”