Political positions of Nikki Haley: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

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{{Short description|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->

{{short description|Policies of American politician Nikki Haley}}

The political positions of Republican Governor [[Nikki Haley]] have been reported from her career in the [[South Carolina House of Representatives]], during her [[Governor of South Carolina|2011–2017 governorship]], from her books ''[[Can't Is Not an Option]]'' and ''[[With All Due Respect (Nikki Haley memoir)|With All Due Respect]]'', and during her tenure as [[United States Ambassador to the United Nations]] from January 2017 until the very end of 2018. Some of these policy positions have changed, while others remain unchangedunmodified.

== Economic policy ==

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=== Policy as Governor of South Carolina ===

Upon becoming governor, Haley appointed [[Bobby Hitt]] as the state's secretary of commerce.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.postandcourier.com/politics/state_politics/bobby-hitt-bmw-exec-gets-new-role/article_22db57ac-246a-5693-bdf2-c58b8a694243.html|title=Bobby Hitt, BMW exec gets new role|first=Yvonne|last=Wenger|date=December 6, 2010|website=[[Post and Courier]]}}</ref> Under their leadership, the state announced the recruitment of more than 85,000 new jobs and $21.5&nbsp;billion in capital investment.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.postandcourier.com/politics/gov-nikki-haley-delivers-sentimental-state-of-the-state-address/article_1422b218-d82a-11e6-8f9b-770f1d8c6d0c.html|title=Gov. Nikki Haley delivers sentimental State of the State address|firstfirst1=Andrew|lastlast1=Knittle|first2=Maya T.|last2=Prabhu|website=[[Post and Courier]]|date=January 11, 2017}}</ref>

In inviting business to move to South Carolina, she has said:

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=== China ===

On numerous occasions, Haley has spoken out against the [[Uyghurpersecution genocideof Uyghurs in China|human rights abuses against Uyghurs in Xinjiang]] by the [[Chinese Communist Party]], calling for a boycott of the [[2022 Olympic Games]].<ref>{{Cite web |first1=Nahal|last1=Toosi |first2=Andrew|last2=Desiderio|title=A tough-on-China GOP is split on whether to boycott the China Olympics |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/03/10/china-2022-olympics-boycott-475210 |date=March 10, 2021 |access-date=March 6, 2023 |website=[[Politico]] |language=en}}</ref> She has also claimed that the CCP has a "stranglehold" on the [[World Health Organization]].<ref>{{Cite web |first=Nikki |last=Haley |date=June 30, 2021 |title=The U.S. Is Going Backward at the United Nations |url=https://www.newsweek.com/us-going-backward-united-nations-opinion-1604348 |access-date=March 6, 2023 |website=[[Newsweek]] |language=en}}</ref>

=== Iran ===

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In September 2017, Haley stated that "some countries" (a reference to Russia, although Haley did not refer to Russia by name) were shielding Iran by blocking the [[International Atomic Energy Agency]] from verifying Iranian compliance with the [[Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action|international nuclear agreement with Iran]]. Haley said that it "appears that some countries are attempting to shield Iran from even more inspections. Without inspections, the Iran deal is an empty promise."<ref>{{cite web|first=Ben|last=Evansky|url=http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/10/01/russia-giving-cover-to-iran-could-doom-nuclear-deal-as-trump-considers-whether-to-certify.html|title=Russia giving cover to Iran could doom nuclear deal as Trump considers whether to certify|website=[[Fox News]]|date=October 1, 2017}}</ref>

Also in December 2017, Haley accused [[Iran]] of backing the [[Yemeni Civil War (2015–present)|Houthi rebels]] in [[Yemen]]. The Houthis are fighting the [[Saudi Arabia|Saudi]]-backed [[Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi|Hadi government]]. She said that the "fight against Iranian aggression is the world's fight." Iranian U.N. mission spokesman Alireza Miryusefi said in response that "These accusations seek also to cover up for the [[Human rights violations during the Yemeni Civil War (2015-present)|Saudi war crimes]] in Yemen, with the US complicity, and divert attention from the stalemate war of aggression against the Yemenis." Iran likened Haley's presentation to that of Secretary of State [[Colin Powell]] before the [[2003 invasion of Iraq]].<ref name="foreign">{{cite web|first1=Colum|last1=Lynch|first2=Robbie|last2=Gramer|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2017/12/14/nikki-haley-yemen-houthi-rebels-iran-missiles-press-conference-pentagon-skepticism-united-nations-trump-nuclear-deal-diplomacy/|title=Haley's ‘Smoking'Smoking Gun’Gun' on Iran Met With Skepticism at U.N.|website=[[Foreign Policy]]|date=December 14, 2017}}</ref> Haley also said that "It's hard to find a conflict or terrorist group in the Middle East that doesn't have Iran's fingerprints all over it", but she did not mention the U.S. role in [[Saudi-led intervention in Yemen]] and Saudi-led coalition's [[blockade of Yemen]].<ref name="foreign"/><ref>{{cite web|first=Jesselyn|last=Cook|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/nikki-haley-iran-role-yemen_us_5a32b7cbe4b0e41f9e043302|title=Nikki Haley Slams Iran's Role In Yemen War, Neglects To Mention U.S. Part In Humanitarian Crisis|website=[[The Huffington Post]]|date=December 14, 2017}}</ref>

=== Israel ===

[[File:Ambassador Nikki Haley visit June 2017 Ambassador Nikki Haley vi (35064841051).jpg|thumb|Haley with Israeli defense minister [[Avigdor Lieberman]] in 2017]]

Haley has been described by Senator [[Lindsey Graham]] as a "strong supporter of the [[Israel|State of Israel]]". As governor of South Carolina, she signed into law a bill to stop efforts of the [[Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions]] (BDS) movement. This legislation was the first of its kind on a statewide level.<ref name="MWilnerJPost11232016">{{cite news|last=Wilner|first=Michael |date=November 23, 2016|title=South Carolina governor who opposed anti-Israel BDS to be Trump's UN envoy|url=http://www.jpost.com/Us-Elections/Donald-Trump/South-Carolina-governor-who-opposed-anti-Israel-BDS-to-be-Trumps-UN-envoy-473448|newspaper=[[The Jerusalem Post]]}}</ref> Haley also stated that "nowhere has the UN's failure been more consistent and more outrageous than in its bias against our close ally Israel".<ref>{{citeCite web |url=http://www.foreign.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/011817_Haley_Testimony.pdf|title=Opening Statement of Governor Nikki Haley}}</ref>

In May 2017 interview, Haley expressed interest in moving the [[Embassy of the United States, Tel Aviv|U.S. embassy to Israel]] from [[Tel Aviv]] to [[Jerusalem]].<ref>{{cite news|url=httphttps://thehill.com/homenews/administration/333779-nikki-haley-calls-for-us-embassy-to-move-to-jerusalem/|title=Nikki Haley calls for US Embassy to move to Jerusalem|first=Rebecca|last=Savransky|date=May 17, 2017 |work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]}}</ref> On June 7, Haley charged the U.N. with having "bullied Israel for a very long time" and pledged the US would end this treatment while in Jerusalem.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/envoy-haley-us-bully-israel-anymore-47886215|title=Envoy Haley says US won't let the UN 'bully' Israel anymore|first=Ian|last=Deitch|date=June 7, 2017|website=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]}}</ref> Israel occupiedDuring the [[Jordan]]-controlled1967 [[Eastwar, Jerusalem]]Israel during thegained [[Sixhttps://2001-Day2009.state.gov/r/pa/ho/time/ea/97187.htm War]control] inof 1967East andJerusalem, formallywhich [[Annexation|annexed]]had itpreviously inbeen 1980annexed by Jordan. The [[Jerusalem Law]] declared Jerusalem to be Israel's "undivided capital".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/middle_east/03/v3_israel_palestinians/maps/html/1967_and_now.stm|title=East Jerusalem|website=[[BBC News]]}}</ref>

In July 2017, after the [[UNESCO]] voted to designate the Hebron's Old City and the [[Cave of the Patriarchs]] as [[State of Palestine|Palestinian]] territory as well as endangered world heritage sites, Haley called the choice "tragic on several levels" in a statement (see [[Israeli–Palestinian conflict in Hebron]]).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Nikki-Haley-UNESCO-vote-on-Hebron-tragic-an-affront-to-history-499088|title=Nikki Haley: UNESCO vote on Hebron tragic, an affront to history|first=Joy |last=Bernard|date=July 8, 2017|website=[[Jerusalem Post]]}}</ref>

[[File:Ambassador Nikki Haley visit June 2017 Ambassador Nikki Haley vi Ambassador Nikki Haley visit June 2017 Ambassador Nikki Haley (34469110513).jpg|thumb|Haley in [[Golan Heights]] – captured from Syria in the Six-Day War and formally [[Golan Heights Law|annexed by Israel]] in 1981 – in June 2017]]

Egypt sponsored a Security Council resolution voiding any unilateral decisions on Jerusalem's status. The resolution further demanded that countries "refrain from the establishment of diplomatic missions in the holy city." In December 2017, Haley warned UN members that she would be "taking names" of countries that voted to reject [[Donald Trump|Trump]]'s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and move the U.S. embassy there from [[Tel Aviv]]. In a letter, Haley wrote: "As you consider your vote, I encourage you to know the president and the US take this vote personally. The president will be watching this vote carefully and has requested I report back on those who voted against us."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/20/us-take-names-united-nations-vote-to-reject-jerusalem-recognition|title=US will 'take names of those who vote to reject Jerusalem recognition'|first=Peter|last=Beaumont|date=December 20, 2017|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> The resolution still passed by an overwhelming margin: 128 in favour, 35 abstaining and only nine against. Haley even traveled to some countries that voted “No"No,”" such as Guatemala and Honduras, and thanked them for their support in the emergency special session.<ref name="Amin">{{Cite web|url=https://caravanmagazine.in/politics/nikki-haley-racial-opportunism-rising-political-star-trump-america|title=The racial opportunism of a rising political star in Trump's America|last=Amin|first=Shaan|website=[[The Caravan]]|language=en|date=31 July 2018|access-date=21 May 2019}}</ref>

=== Myanmar ===

In September 2017, Haley said that her government was "deeply troubled" by reports of [[Rohingya persecution in Myanmar (2016–present)|atrocities against Rohingya Muslims]] in [[Myanmar]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/36f02c58f5bd44e0830ce2e74a3b7456|title=As Myanmar Muslims flee crackdown, US is wary of involvement|website=[[Associated Press News]] |agency=[[The Associated Press]]|date=September 9, 2017}}</ref> Haley criticized Myanmar's civilian leader [[Aung San Suu Kyi]] for "justifying the imprisonment of the two [[Reuters]] reporters who reported on the [[ethnic cleansing]]."<ref>{{cite news |title=Suu Kyi defense of jailing of Reuters journalists 'unbelievable': Haley |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar-journalists-suukyi/myanmars-suu-kyi-defends-jailing-of-two-reuters-journalists-idUSKCN1LT08A |agencywork=[[Reuters]] |date=September 13, 2018}}</ref>

=== North Korea ===

Haley said the U.S. military could be deployed in response to any further [[North Korean missile tests]] or usage of nuclear missiles and that she believed [[Kim Jong-un]] understood this due to pressure by both the U.S. and China.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2017/04/24/nikki-haley-north-korea-military-action-237519|title=Haley: Another missile test by North Korea could prompt U.S. military action|date=April 27, 2017|first=Louis|last=Nelson|website=[[Politico]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2017/09/rex-tillerson-nikki-haley-state-department |title=Does Rex Tillerson Even Care That Nikki Haley Is Stealing His Thunder? |first=Abigail |last=Tracy |website=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] |date=22 September 2017 |access-date=November 8, 2017}}</ref> On May 14, 2017, after North Korea performed a ballistic missile test, Haley said Kim was "in a state of paranoia" after feeling pressure from the U.S.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2017/05/14/nikki-haley-north-korea-238375|title=U.S. will 'tighten the screws' on North Korea, Haley says|date=May 14, 2017|website=[[Politico]]|first=Louis|last=Nelson}}</ref>

On June 2, 2017, after the U.N. Security Council approved a resolution adding 15 North Koreans and four entities linked to North Korea's nuclear and missile programs to a sanctions blacklist, Haley said the council's vote was "sending a clear message to North Korea today: Stop firing ballistic missiles or face the consequences".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.yahoo.com/u-n-security-council-sanctions-212001987.html|title=U.N. Security Council Sanctions 15 North Koreans With Ties to Nuclear Programs|date=June 2, 2017|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]|via=[[Yahoo! News]]}}</ref> On July 5, 2017, during a U.N. Security Council meeting, in response to North Korea launching an intercontinental ballistic missile, Haley announced the US would within days "bring before the Security Council a resolution that raises the international response in a way that is proportionate to North Korea's new escalation".<ref>{{cite news|first=Pamela|last=Falk|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/nikki-haley-us-prepared-to-use-full-range-of-capabilities-defend-against-north-korea/|title=Nikki Haley: U.S. prepared to use "full range" of capabilities to defend against N. Korea|date=July 5, 2017|website=[[CBS News]]}}</ref>

The following month, the U.N. Security Council unanimously approved sanctions on North Korea banning exports worth over $1&nbsp;billion. Haley said that the sanctions package was "the single largest ... ever leveled against the North Korean regime".<ref name="Lederer">{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/diplomat-1-billion-in-nkorea-exports-would-be-banned-by-un/2017/08/04/53b1d654-7972-11e7-8c17-533c52b2f014_story.html|title=UN imposes tough new sanctions on North Korea|first=Edith M.|last=Lederer|date=August 5, 2017|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref>

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=== Syria ===

On March 30, 2017, Haley stated that the U.S. would no longer focus on forcing Syrian president [[Bashar al-Assad]] to leave power. This was a policy shift from former president [[Barack Obama]]'s initial stance on Assad.<ref>{{cite news|title=U.S. priority on Syria no longer focused on 'getting Assad out': Haley|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-usa-haley-idUSKBN1712QL |agencywork=[[Reuters]]|date=March 30, 2017}}</ref> On April 5, speaking to the U.N. Security Council a day after the [[2017 Khan Shaykhun chemical attack|Khan Shaykhun chemical attack]], Haley said Russia, Assad, and Iran "have no interest in peace" and attacks similar to this would continue occurring should nothing be done in response.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/apr/5/nikki-haley-blasts-syria-russia-directly-address-u/|title=Nikki Haley blasts Syria, Russia directly in address to U.N.|first=Tom, Jr.|last=Howell|work=[[The Washington Times]]|date=April 5, 2017}}</ref> A day later, the U.S. [[2017 Shayrat missile strike|launched]] 59 [[Tomahawk cruise missile]]s toward the [[Shayrat Air Base]] in Syria. Haley called the strike a "very measured step" and warned that the U.S. was prepared "to do more" despite wishing it would not be required.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/us-launches-strike-assad-syria-decries-dirty-war/story?id=46646770|title=Nikki Haley warns the US is 'prepared to do more' in Syria|date=April 7, 2017|website=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]}}</ref>

On April 12, after Russia blocked a draft resolution meant to condemn the Khan Shaykhun chemical attack, Haley criticized Russia, saying "We need to see Russia choose to side with the civilized world over an Assad government that brutally terrorizes its own people."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2017/04/nikki-haley-russia-syria-237160|title=Haley: 'Russia said no' to peace in Syria|first=Nolan D.|last=McCaskill|date=April 12, 2017|website=[[Politico]]}}</ref> On June 28, while appearing before the [[United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs]], Haley credited Trump's warning to Syria with stopping another chemical attack: "I can tell you due to the president's actions, we did not see an incident."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2017/06/28/nikki-haley-trump-syria-warning-240041|title=Haley: Trump saved 'many innocent' lives with Syria statement|date=June 28, 2017|website=[[Politico]]|first=Kelsey|last=Tamborrino}}</ref>

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Haley has consistently supported bills that give rights to an unborn baby and restrict abortion, except when the mother's life is at risk. In 2006, as a member of the [[South Carolina House of Representatives]], Haley voted for the Penalties for Harming an Unborn Child/Fetus law, which asserted that an act of violence against a fetus is akin to a criminal act against the mother. She has also re-signed a new state law that bans abortions at 20 weeks of pregnancy.<ref name=Prabhu/>

Haley has voted in favor of some bills relating to abortion that were tabled or rejected, including the Inclusion of Unborn Child/Fetus in Definition for Civil Suits Amendment, Prohibiting Employment Termination Due to Abortion Waiting Period amendment, and Exempting Cases of Rape from Abortion Waiting Period amendment. The last would have allowed specific cases of womenpeople to not have to wait the mandatory 24 hours before having an abortion.<ref name="Nikki Haley Voting Record">{{cite web|title=ProjectVoteSmart Legislation: Nikki Haley|url=http://www.votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/47879/|publisher=One Common Ground|access-date=November 3, 2011}}</ref>

In 2023, Haley has called for "consensus" on national [[Abortion in the United States|abortion policy]], and indicated she would oppose a full ban on abortion. In a 2023 interview, she pointed to a proposal from Senator [[Lindsey Graham]] that would establish a national 15-week abortion ban, with exceptions for rape, [[incest]], and health, and life of the mother.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bustos |first=Joseph |date=February 16, 2023 |title=SC’sSC's Nikki Haley says United States needs consensus on abortion restrictions |url=https://www.thestate.com/news/politics-government/article272524629.html |access-date=February 16, 2023 |website=[[The State (newspaper)|The State]]}}</ref>

Haley is opposed to jail time or the death penalty for women who have abortions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/abortion-high-heels-and-insults-dominate-latest-republican-debate-20231109-p5eir8.html|title=Abortion, high heels and insults dominate latest Republican debate|first=Farrah|last=Tomazin|date=November 9, 2023|website=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/haley-federal-abortion-rules-realistic-deadlocked-senate|title=Haley says federal abortion rules 'not realistic' given deadlocked Senate|first=Brianna|last=Herlihy|date=May 15, 2023|website=Fox News}}</ref>

===Confederate flag===

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=== Death penalty ===

In regard to the state trial of [[Dylann Roof]], Haley urged prosecutors to seek the [[Capital punishment in the United States|death penalty]] against him.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/nation/2015/06/19/the-latest-church-shooting-haley-calls-for-death-penalty/Sd50001xUfcaWDV1XdZxHM/story.html|title=S.C. governor calls for death penalty in church shooting|work=[[The Boston Globe]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]|date=June 19, 2015|access-date=June 19, 2015}}</ref>

=== LGBT issues ===

In 2013, Haley said it was her constitutional duty to oppose federal regulation of [[gay marriage]].<ref>{{cite news|first=Adam|last=Beam|url=https://www.thestate.com/news/politics-government/politics-columns-blogs/the-buzz/article13829042.html|title=POLITICS: Nikki Haley says defending gay marriage ban is her constitutional duty|newspaper=[[The State (newspaper)|The State]]|date=November 15, 2013}}</ref> In 2023, during a Des Moines Register Political Soapbox event, Nikki Haley responded to a question about her stance on gay marriage by asserting, "Get your news from somewhere else," and adding, "This is what I'll tell you: People should live the way they want to live. I believe in freedom. I believe in making sure that people can live the way they want to live, and I believe the government needs to stay out of the way."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Opsahl |first=Robin |date=August 12, 2023 |title=Nikki Haley disputes that she opposes gay marriage |url=https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/livefeeds/nikki-haley-disputes-that-she-opposes-gay-marriage/ |access-date=2023-11-11 |website=Iowa Capital Dispatch |language=en-US}}</ref>

In April 2016, Haley indicated she would not support legislation introduced by the [[South Carolina State Senate]] which would require [[transgender]] individuals to use restrooms based on biological sex instead of [[gender identity]]. Haley stated:

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In April 2017, Haley spoke out against [[Ramzan Kadyrov]] and the abuse and murder of gay men in [[Chechnya]]. She stated that "We continue to be disturbed by reports of kidnapping, torture, and murder of people in Chechnya based on their sexual orientation ... this violation of human rights cannot be ignored".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://time.com/4743694/nikki-haley-chechnya-persecuting-gay-men-united-nations/|title=Nikki Haley: Reported Killings of Gay People in Chechnya 'Cannot Be Ignored'|magazine=Time|access-date=November 8, 2017}}</ref>

In 2023, Haley said that the [[Florida Parental Rights in Education Act]], known as the "Don't Say Gay" law, doesn't go far enough, in that prohibitions against discussing sex and sexuality before third grade should be extended and subject to opt-in parental consent, stating, "When I was in school you didn’tdidn't have sex ed until seventh grade. And even then, your parents had to sign whether you could take the class. That’sThat's a decision for parents to make."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pengelly |first=Martin |date=February 17, 2023 |title=Nikki Haley says Florida’sFlorida's ‘don’t'don't say gay’gay' law does not go ‘far'far enough’enough' |language=en-GB |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/feb/17/nikki-haley-ron-desantis-dont-say-gay-law |access-date=July 12, 2023 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Shapero |first=Julia |date=February 17, 2023 |title=Haley says DeSantis didn’tdidn't go ‘far'far enough’enough' with ‘Don’t'Don't Say Gay’Gay' |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/3862946-haley-says-desantis-didnt-go-far-enough-with-dont-say-gay/ |access-date=July 12, 2023 |website=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |first1=Sarah|last1=Elbeshbishi|first2=Ken|last2=Tran|first3=Ella|last3=Lee|first4=Kevin |last4=Johnson|title=On 2024 trail, Nikki Haley says DeSantis 'Don't Say Gay' bill didn't go far enough: Live political updates |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2023/02/17/washington-congress-live-news-updates/11273697002/ |date=February 17, 2023|access-date=July 12, 2023 |website=[[USA Today]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Immigration ===

Haley has stated that, as a daughter of immigrants, she believes the immigration laws should be enforced.<ref>{{cite web|first=Jim|last=Davenport|url=http://www.postandcourier.com/politics/state_politics/gov-nikki-haley-signs-illegal-immigration-police-checks-law/article_c56235c8-5b8d-510b-952e-3ae4834ec48c.html|title=Gov. Nikki Haley signs illegal immigration police checks law|newspaper=[[Post and Courier]]|date=June 26, 2011|access-date=June 26, 2011}}</ref> She voted in favor of a law that requires employers to be able to prove that newly hired employees are legal residents of the United States, and also requires all immigrants to carry documentation at all times proving that they are legally in the United States. Haley signed an "[[Arizona SB 1070|Arizona-style]]" law cracking down on illegal immigration in June 2011.<ref>{{cite news|first=Richard|last=Fausset|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|url=https://articleswww.latimes.com/la-xpm-2012/-jan/-18/nation/-la-na-romney-immigration-20120119-story.html|title=For Romney, immigration issue offers an opportunity|date=January 18, 2012}}</ref> The law was at the time the subject of a lawsuit initiated by the United States Justice Department on numerous grounds, including claims the immigration law violates the [[Supremacy Clause]]. Rob Godfrey, a spokesman for Haley, said, "If the feds were doing their job, we wouldn't have had to address [[illegal immigration]] reform at the state level. But, until they do, we're going to keep fighting in [[South Carolina]] to be able to enforce our laws."<ref>{{cite news|title=U.S. sues South Carolina over immigration law|url=http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/31/politics/south-carolina-immigration-suit/|first=Terry|last=Frieden|website=[[CNN]]|date=October 31, 2011 }}</ref>

On March 15, 2017, Haley said she would not support [[Trump travel ban|a ban on Muslim immigration to the United States]] should Trump choose to enact one. Haley said she did not believe "we should ever ban anyone based on their religion" and that a Muslim ban would be "un-American".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.today.com/news/un-ambassador-nikki-haley-today-i-will-never-support-muslim-t109290|title=UN Ambassador Nikki Haley on Today: 'I will never support a Muslim ban'|date=March 16, 2017|first=Eun Kyung|last=Kim|website=[[Today.com|Today]]}}</ref>