Presidential debate: Republican candidates slam Obama over immigration policies

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal described immigration without simulation as "an invasion"

Criticising President Barack Obama's immigration policies, the Republican presidential candidates have pledged to secure American borders and take a tough stand on illegal immigrants, with Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal describing immigration without simulation as "an invasion."

Jindal, 44, appearing in the Fox News's second-tier primary debate, said America must insist on a simulation in the case of immigration.

"Immigration without simulation is an invasion. We need to tell folks who want to come here they need to come here legally. They need to learn English, adopt values, roll up their sleeves and get to work," he said.

Jindal reiterated his position on "hyphenated Americans and the divisions," saying he was tired of "hyphenated identities." He has in the past insisted that Americans are not "Indian-Americans or African-Americans or Asian-Americans" but just "Americans."

Senator Rick Santorum said immigration is the example of "what is broken and wrong in Washington" as he accused the Democratic party of bringing in more people into American only for votes.

"The Democrats only care about votes, they don't care about American workers but care only about bringing as many people so that they can get as many votes they can," he said.

Santorum said he is looking out for the American workers and is the only one with a plan on immigration policy and focus on growing manufacturing in the country.

Citing the example of his own grandfather who was not allowed to come to the US from Italy even though his son was in the country, Santorum said that America is a country of laws and not of "people who do whatever they want to do."

"We have a president who wants to do whatever he wants to do. Take his pen and phone and tell everybody what he thinks is best," he said.

"But the reason America is a great country, is because our compassion is in our laws and when we live by those laws."

"When we treat everybody equally under the law that is when people feel good about being Americans," he said.

Stating that he will work on reducing the level of immigration by 25%, Santorum said, "We are going to be tough at the border, tough on illegal immigrants, we are going to be out there trying to create a better life for hardworking Americans."

Underlining the strategic importance of putting personnel on Mexico border former Texas Governor Rick Perry said there is need to have a US President who has the "intent, purpose of securing that border."

"I will secure that southern border," he said as he hit out at Obama for failing to secure the borders which he said were "still porous".