---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I just always believe that we should not…"
description: "\"I just always believe that we should not reward people with citizenship whose first act in this country was a violation of the law. And I continue to h..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cca/mike-pence-577_believe_i-just-always-believe-that-we-should-not_1659317.jpg"
---

#  I just always believe that we should not reward people…

![“I just always believe that we should not reward people with citizenship whose first act in this country was a violation of the law. And I continue to hold that view. But let me say, I think there is plenty of room here for compassion. And there's plenty of room here for crafting a solution that…” quote by Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cca/mike-pence-577_believe_i-just-always-believe-that-we-should-not_1659317.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cca/mike-pence-577_believe_i-just-always-believe-that-we-should-not_1659317.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cca/mike-pence-577_believe_i-just-always-believe-that-we-should-not_1659317.jpg)

> “I just always believe that we should not reward people with citizenship whose first act in this country was a violation of the law. And I continue to hold that view. But let me say, I think there is plenty of room here for compassion. And there's plenty of room here for crafting a solution that will deal with this issue in the long term.”

[Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Pence opposes granting citizenship to those who first violated the law, but calls for compassionate, long‑term solutions.

**In simple terms:** He wants no citizenship for lawbreakers, yet seeks compassion.

Key Takeaway

Balance law enforcement with humane policy.

Themes

immigration law compassion policy

Mood

serious concerned

Type

political policy‑oriented

When to use this quote

- border control
- legal reform
- community outreach

Key Concepts

human rights national security legislation

Questions to Reflect On

- How can compassion be integrated into immigration law?
- What long‑term solutions address both security and humanity?

A Different Perspective

Compassion may conflict with strict enforcement.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Citizenship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/citizenship/) [Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Immigration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/immigration/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Long term](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long-term/)

## Related quotes

> [We will have a mechanism for dealing with people in this country that - you heard the word humanely again. It is going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/we-will-have-a-mechanism-for-dealing-with-people-in-this-country-that/)

[Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

> [ If you closed your eyes during that \[Donald Trump\] conference and you didn't pay attention to who was saying those words, it could have… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-diaz-balart/if-you-closed-your-eyes-during-that-donald-trump-conference-and-you/)

[Jose Diaz-Balart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-diaz-balart/)

> [I think we should be pushing for amnesty and a path to citizenship for every undocumented person residing in the United States who has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conor-oberst/i-think-we-should-be-pushing-for-amnesty-and-a-path-to-citizenship/)

[Conor Oberst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-oberst/)

> [There will never be a bill without a pathway to citizenship signed by the president...And in turn there will never be a pathway to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-graham/there-will-never-be-a-bill-without-a-pathway-to-citizenship-signed-by/)

[Lindsey Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-graham/)

> [We watched the U.S. citizenship immigration services web site in March. They had six million, two hundred thousand hits, and two million people downloaded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-gutierrez/we-watched-the-u-s-citizenship-immigration-services-web-site-in-march/)

[Luis Gutierrez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-gutierrez/)

> [I think the American people have a generous instinct. They understand that we're a nation of immigrants. But if those folks are going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-think-the-american-people-have-a-generous-instinct-they-understand/)

[Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/)

> [When you take comprehensive, then we're dealing with certain issues like full citizenship ... And whatever else we disagree on, I think we would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/when-you-take-comprehensive-then-we-re-dealing-with-certain-issues/)

[Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/)

> [With these 11 million people here illegally, let's have them registered, know who they are, those that are her paying taxes and not taking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitt-romney/with-these-11-million-people-here-illegally-let-s-have-them/)

[Mitt Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitt-romney/)

> [“President Trump wants immigration to deny citizenship to disabled immigrant workers that have had their health damaged by toxic USA employers.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/president-trump-wants-immigration-to-deny-citizenship-to-disabled/)

[Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/)

> [From a policy point of view, I don't think it's the right approach. I don't like the idea of having millions of people here…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-graham/from-a-policy-point-of-view-i-don-t-think-it-s-the-right-approach-i/)

[Lindsey Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-graham/)

> [If you care about your personal liberty, you'll be cautious when you feel comfortable, blame all the illegal immigrants for everything. What you need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-paul/if-you-care-about-your-personal-liberty-you-ll-be-cautious-when-you/)

[Ron Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-paul/)

> [We are waiting for Donald Trump's big immigration speech. There are lots of unanswered questions that remain about where exactly Trump stands on deportation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-kornacki/we-are-waiting-for-donald-trump-s-big-immigration-speech-there-are/)

[Steve Kornacki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-kornacki/)

> [With all of the talk about polling and demographics, I think too many people have lost touch with the human and moral crisis of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arlene-holt-baker/with-all-of-the-talk-about-polling-and-demographics-i-think-too-many/)

Arlene Holt Baker

> [Have you ever watched someone become American? Last week, at a national citizenship conference I organize, thirty immigrants from 17 countries swore an oath…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-liu/have-you-ever-watched-someone-become-american-last-week-at-a-national/)

[Eric Liu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-liu/)

> [ I think Donald Trump will articulate what we do with the people \[immigrants\] who are here. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/i-think-donald-trump-will-articulate-what-we-do-with-the-people/)

[Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

## More by Mike Pence

> [The United States cannot and should not discriminate on the basis of religion. The free exercise of religion is at the very heart of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/the-united-states-cannot-and-should-not-discriminate-on-the-basis-of/)

[Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

> [There's overwhelming evidence... circumstantial and otherwise, to suggest a connection between Iraq and al Qaeda.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/there-s-overwhelming-evidence-circumstantial-and-otherwise-to-suggest/)

[Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

> [America is stronger than Russia. Our economy is 16 times larger than the Russian economy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/america-is-stronger-than-russia-our-economy-is-16-times-larger-than/)

[Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

> [The government competes in the private sector the way an alligator competes with a duck.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/the-government-competes-in-the-private-sector-the-way-an-alligator/)

[Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

> [The so-called 'Employee Free Choice Act' envisions a world where workers would be denied privacy and forced to vote in an atmosphere of intimidation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/the-so-called-employee-free-choice-act-envisions-a-world-where/)

[Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

> [People are tired of being told that this is as good as it gets. They hear in Donald Trump someone who says, 'We can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/people-are-tired-of-being-told-that-this-is-as-good-as-it-gets-they/)

[Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

> [ I think Donald Trump will articulate what we do with the people \[immigrants\] who are here. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/i-think-donald-trump-will-articulate-what-we-do-with-the-people/)

[Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

> [People in both parties are restless for change, ready to break free of old patterns in Washington.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/people-in-both-parties-are-restless-for-change-ready-to-break-free-of/)

[Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

> [I opposed the Medicare prescription drug entitlement. I opposed the Wall Street bailout. I opposed the stimulus bill.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/i-opposed-the-medicare-prescription-drug-entitlement-i-opposed-the/)

[Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

> [I joked at our National Convention that our party was nominating a candidate for president who was charismatic, larger than life, memorable, so they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/i-joked-at-our-national-convention-that-our-party-was-nominating-a/)

[Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

> [I'm not sure that Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama know that we're at war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/i-m-not-sure-that-hillary-clinton-and-barack-obama-know-that-we-re-at/)

[Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

> [The state of Indiana has also sought to make sure we expand alternatives in healthcare counseling for women, non-abortion alternatives, and I'm also very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/the-state-of-indiana-has-also-sought-to-make-sure-we-expand/)

[Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

> [If you want real change, if you want a stronger America at home and abroad and an America that cherishes our highest ideals, head…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/if-you-want-real-change-if-you-want-a-stronger-america-at-home-and/)

[Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

> [You know, Hoosiers recognize pork when we see it. And they recognize what bailing out every failing business in America means - We're burying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/you-know-hoosiers-recognize-pork-when-we-see-it-and-they-recognize/)

[Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

> [The heroes of my childhood were Martin Luther King Jr. and John F. Kennedy... but I was inspired by the ideals of our 40th…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/the-heroes-of-my-childhood-were-martin-luther-king-jr-and-john-f/)

[Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

[Explore all 466 Mike Pence quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

## More Believe quotes

> [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/)

[Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/)

> [Some people still believe you should just fall in line with what's going on - and that's scary. It makes a mockery of freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-robison/some-people-still-believe-you-should-just-fall-in-line-with-what-s/)

[Emily Robison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-robison/)

> [The truth seems to be that propaganda on its own cannot force its way into unwilling minds; neither can it inculcate something wholly new;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/the-truth-seems-to-be-that-propaganda-on-its-own-cannot-force-its-way/)

[Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/)

> [Resist discouragement by speaking His Word over your future. Keep standing. Keep hoping; keep believing because He is working behind the scenes. He's going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/resist-discouragement-by-speaking-his-word-over-your-future-keep/)

[Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/)

> [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/)

[Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/)

> [There is no such word as item girl in the dictionary. People have created this word and I don't believe that I am an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shefali-zariwala/there-is-no-such-word-as-item-girl-in-the-dictionary-people-have/)

[Shefali Zariwala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shefali-zariwala/)

> [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/)

[Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/)

> [I don't really like too much credit. I know nobody's going to believe this, but I'd rather be able to score goals and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-don-t-really-like-too-much-credit-i-know-nobody-s-going-to-believe/)

[Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/)

> [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/)

[Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/)

> [Bush reiterated his stand to conservatives opposing his decision on stem cell research. He said today he believes life begins at conception and ends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/bush-reiterated-his-stand-to-conservatives-opposing-his-decision-on/)

[Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/)

> [Never underestimate the power of the human mind to believe what it wants to believe, no matter the conflicting evidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-herbert/never-underestimate-the-power-of-the-human-mind-to-believe-what-it/)

[Brian Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-herbert/)

> [To believe in love, to be ready to give up anything for it, to be willing to risk your life for it, is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-dicaprio/to-believe-in-love-to-be-ready-to-give-up-anything-for-it-to-be/)

[Leonardo DiCaprio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-dicaprio/)

> [That's why I don't generally talk about endorsements because I don't believe we have to tell people who to vote for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-iii/that-s-why-i-don-t-generally-talk-about-endorsements-because-i-don-t/)

[Martin Luther King III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-iii/)

> [Mankind have been slow to believe that order reigns in the universe-that the world is a cosmos and a chaos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-garfield/mankind-have-been-slow-to-believe-that-order-reigns-in-the-universe/)

[James A. Garfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-garfield/)

> [We instantly believe everything we think. Isn't that insane? It's good for us to explore the depravity of our minds, so we know we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krishna-das/we-instantly-believe-everything-we-think-isn-t-that-insane-it-s-good/)

[Krishna Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krishna-das/)

Browse all 47,704 Believe quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I just always believe that we should not reward people with citizenship whose first act in this country was a violation of the law. And I continue to hold that view. But let me say, I think there is plenty of room here for compassion. And there's plenty of room here for crafting a solution that will deal with this issue in the long term.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Mike Pence"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/i-just-always-believe-that-we-should-not-reward-people-with/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Believe"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/i-just-always-believe-that-we-should-not-reward-people-with/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cca/mike-pence-577_believe_i-just-always-believe-that-we-should-not_1659317.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cca/mike-pence-577_believe_i-just-always-believe-that-we-should-not_1659317.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cca/mike-pence-577_believe_i-just-always-believe-that-we-should-not_1659317.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I just always believe that we should not reward people with citizenship whose first act in this country was…” — Mike Pence",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Mike Pence",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I just always believe that we...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/i-just-always-believe-that-we-should-not-reward-people-with/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/i-just-always-believe-that-we-should-not-reward-people-with/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
