George Bush's latest immigration plan is better than the last one and actually a great compromise. In normal times, it would attract supporters from both parties.
Two good ideas here: One a clear disincentive for illegal immigrants. They go to the back of the line behind those who followed the rules. And a de-emphasis on chain migration, which is currently just about the only way a potential Mexican migrant can follow the rules at all.It's a sensible plan-tough enforcement and a good road map for dealing with our ten million illegal residents. I like it. But it has no chance whatsoever.As spelled out in the presentation, which White House aides describe as ideas for debate, undocumented workers could apply for three-year work visas, renewable indefinitely at a cost of $3,500 each time. To get a green card that would make them legal permanent residents, they would have to return to their home countries, apply for reentry at a U.S. embassy or consulate, and pay a $10,000 fine.
In a new twist, more green cards would be made available to skilled workers by limiting visas for parents, children and siblings of U.S. citizens. Temporary workers could not bring their families into the country.
A significant majority of the Republican base is deeply opposed to any plan which includes any regularization for the current illegals in country. The granting of a green card will be called "virtual amnesty" or "amnesty lite" or, heck, pick a name, you know the drill. Tom Tancredo will get up on his soapbox and stay there for a while.
Their argument, and it isn't a bad one, is that before there is any talk of regularization or amnesty, there should be full enforcement of existing laws. Full enforcement will lead to reduced employment opportunities for illegals which means they will go home voluntarily, and the problem will be solved.
Nancy Pelosi has indicated that she will not help flog the issue, the president will need the pledge of 70 House Republicans before a bill goes to the floor there. With the last beating they took and another election looming I doubt that Bush can find 30 Republicans willing to front on this.
In the Senate the situation is even more precarious. Last time around it was John McCain and Ted Kennedy who negotiated a bill and presented it together. Now, McCain is in a fight for his life to keep his front-runner status. The last thing he needs is to see "McCain and Kennedy" in a single headline.
Bush badly needs a win somewhere, anywhere to restore confidence in his presidency, but this isn't it.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 2)
1. http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/04/08/news/top_stories/1_11_154_7_07.txt
The telling line in the North County Times article is Congressman Brian Bilbray calling the president's support for amnesty "felony stupid." The question is, “Is President Bush acting as the lapdog of unscrupulous employers, illegal immigrants and non-resident, non-citizen future slave wage guest workers and not representing American citizens and legal immigrants? Is he simply following the wishes of employers of cheap laborers? Or, is this Karl Rove’s master manipulation? Is President Bush selfishly attempting to stack the deck, setting the stage for his 30 year old, half Mexican, nephew George P. Bush (Google him) to be elected the third Bush POTUS. As a Republican or if need be a Democrat it wouldn’t matter. Screw America, screw the Republican Party. History is what matters. Is the lure of being the first three president family in American history so irresistible as to make Bush felony stupid? Viva Bush.
My question posed to Democrats would be, "How do Hillary, Obama, Edwards and the other Democrat presidential candidates justify to blacks and other lower to middle class American citizens, (mostly Democrats) that they have their interests at heart while at the same time they are supporting amnesty for millions of illegal immigrants who are doing the jobs that used to be available to Americans? How do they justify supporting bringing more non-citizen guest workers in to make sure the supply of hard working poor is always plentiful and cheap for unscrupulous employers? It is so anti American worker, anti legal immigrant worker, so anti Democrat. Why aren’t the Democrats representing their constituents?” Are these so-called Democrat leaders so dumb, so blinded by their own egos and ambitions, that they don’t realize that they are being trapped to go against their own constituents, being suckered by Karl Rove. Don’t they realize that the one and only initiative that Bush can possibly get passed and then only with their complicity will stack the deck, set the stage for Bush’s nephew George P. Bush to be elected the third Bush POTUS. Either as a Republican or if need be a Democrat it wouldn’t matter to Rove or W. How gullible are they?
My question posed to those Republican presidential candidates, McCain, Guilani, Brownback, etc., who support the amnesty and guest worker proposals would be “Why?”
pablo at 1:25PM on Apr 9th 2007
2. http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/04/08/news/top_stories/1_11_154_7_07.txt
The telling line in the North County Times article is Congressman Brian Bilbray calling the president's support for amnesty "felony stupid." The question is, “Is President Bush acting as the lapdog of unscrupulous employers, illegal immigrants and non-resident, non-citizen future slave wage guest workers and not representing American citizens and legal immigrants? Is he simply following the wishes of employers of cheap laborers? Or, is this Karl Rove’s master manipulation? Is President Bush selfishly attempting to stack the deck, setting the stage for his 30 year old, half Mexican, nephew George P. Bush (Google him) to be elected the third Bush POTUS. As a Republican or if need be a Democrat it wouldn’t matter. Screw America, screw the Republican Party. History is what matters. Is the lure of being the first three president family in American history so irresistible as to make Bush felony stupid? Viva Bush.
My question posed to Democrats would be, "How do Hillary, Obama, Edwards and the other Democrat presidential candidates justify to blacks and other lower to middle class American citizens, (mostly Democrats) that they have their interests at heart while at the same time they are supporting amnesty for millions of illegal immigrants who are doing the jobs that used to be available to Americans? How do they justify supporting bringing more non-citizen guest workers in to make sure the supply of hard working poor is always plentiful and cheap for unscrupulous employers? It is so anti American worker, anti legal immigrant worker, so anti Democrat. Why aren’t the Democrats representing their constituents?” Are these so-called Democrat leaders so dumb, so blinded by their own egos and ambitions, that they don’t realize that they are being trapped to go against their own constituents, being suckered by Karl Rove. Don’t they realize that the one and only initiative that Bush can possibly get passed and then only with their complicity will stack the deck, set the stage for Bush’s nephew George P. Bush to be elected the third Bush POTUS. Either as a Republican or if need be a Democrat it wouldn’t matter to Rove or W. How gullible are they?
My question posed to those Republican presidential candidates, McCain, Guilani, Brownback, etc., who support the amnesty and guest worker proposals would be “Why?”
pablo at 1:29PM on Apr 9th 2007
3. Z visas should be known as A visas (A=AMNESTY). The small "fines" could be put on the ILLEGAL'S Bank of America credit line. This bill is full of so many HOLES and smoke-screen language it isn't funny. A vote to support this bill is a slap across the face of every LEGAL American taxpaying citizen. This will cost 100 billion dollars to subsidize right out of the gate. ALL illegals need to go home, grow a backbone and demand better of their own governments. Would Fred Thompson, Tom Tancredo or Duncan Hunter step on up to the plate and uphold OUR Constitution? These gentlemen know about ArticleIV, sectionIV and won't bury their heads in the sand or talk around this issue. To support a Lame-Duck president on this issue, as it stands right now, would be political suicide
Lew at 2:56PM on Apr 9th 2007
4. We've essentially already lost this country to broken and abused immigration laws and lack of enforcement. Not to mention by the complicity of both political parties, our very own citizens, and corporations. I have an idea, whatever is passed by either political party, there will still be a need to enforce it. How about taking advantage of the illegal alien marches and turning them into an opportunity for them to "register" themselves. We could have food vendors, arcade games, flag exchange stations, and if they refuse.......load them on the buses we have standing by to take them back across the borders (North and South). We could set up these registration "conventions" outside the fake churches opening up to harbor these folks, and do the same thing there. Just an idea.
Jean at 2:59PM on Apr 9th 2007
5. first, where do these numbers come from? only ten million?
and second, isn't it ironic that the prez is pictured in front of a drone?
Deb at 4:44PM on Apr 9th 2007
6. it is about time some one did something this got way out of hand none of these people pay one dime in taxes and when they get sick they go to the emergency room at our expence
john poldrugo at 4:51PM on Apr 9th 2007
7. Until such time as the issue is put to a vote, the true feelings of the Majority in this Nation will not be known. That being the case both sides will continue to manipulate the numbers to bolster their individual stands. My belief is to put this or any plan to a National vote since we are the one's that ultimatly must live with the end result. I would hope that we would not see a repeat of the vote that took place in California. The populace voted on an imigration bill and the majority passed it only to have it struck down by the courts. The politicians in in this great country had better STOP the posturing and serving special interests and START listening to the multitude of leagal citizens screaming at the back side of their inatentive self serving heads. we are a nation of laws, and the laws and requirements that have been put in place for citizenship in our country have been kicked aside by any number of people to better serve their own interests (employers, politicians etc.) Washinton cannot mandate to the majority. All that is being done now is a slap in the face to all of those that have endured so much to come here legally and become citizens.ANY Imagrant that is not here legally is illegal!...........GET THEM OUT !!!
RANDY ADAMS at 6:05PM on Apr 9th 2007
8. Why is it that our leaders were sure that we could force democracy on more than 11 million in Iraq, which is half way around the world, but can't possibily force 11 million illegals out of our country? My bet is that 135,000 troops and all of our law enforcement officers and concerned citizens could move out the illegals and secure our borders in a pretty short time! We only lack the will.
EY at 7:59PM on Apr 9th 2007
9. I happen to be building this fence at the present time but for some reason the Gov. really dont show the work in progress this kind of makes me wonder. Why are our tax dollars going to building a fence to keep the immigrants out,But still allowing them to come in ? A hefty fine of $10,000 dollar's. It doesnt cost them that much to sneek right back across . I feel we should finish one job first keeping the new illegal immigrants out. Then worry about how to deal with the problem here.
Jason at 6:56PM on Apr 9th 2007
10. Its usually good practice to start where you're at. In this case, the current laws aren't working at all. The options are to step up enforcement, or change the laws. Is a drastic change needed, or a combination of some tweaking here and there with more cracking down on illegals and employers?
A step by step approach might have a better chance of acceptance than throwing out the baby with the bath water.
Steve Bonomo at 7:01PM on Apr 9th 2007
11. I, personnaly feel we should go back to our original requirements for citizenship, at least as I understand them, a requirement that the applicant be able to speak, read & write English, and as I recall have a reasonable knowledge of the founders of our country, and some reasonable knowledge of our laws. My ancestors were all required to meet these requirements, why should it be any differant now? I'm sick of our having to print ballots in foriegn languages, and street signs, and everthing else. And I find it hard to believe that we have to pay for their children being born in our hospitals, and to add insult to injury, the children that we pay for are then citizens of the U.S.? I say Bull Shit!!!!
Gail F. Stephenson at 8:33PM on Apr 10th 2007
12.
We the people of of this great nation are tired of being screwed with higher taxes to pay for all these illegals to play the sysrem, our health system is so out of control, our hospitals are closing because they have gone broke. What doesn't the politicians in wasington understand, illegal is illegal no matter you say.Are the laws only for some. It makes a mockery out of our judicial system. I think Ellis Island should be opened again, It worked for all our early immigrents, also they were so proud to come to this country, they worked hard learned the language and contributed much to this country. They did all this legally. We give so much free stuff to these people and yet we have so many homless people in this country that no one does anything for. We have children who are homeless, veterens who gave so much for their country who are homeless I think we should be more concerned about these problems first before we recognize illegals. If these illegals want citizenship so bad they should also have to serve this country for at least four years. Our men and women serve proudly and so should they, but I'll bet they will all want back in their own country We need to address the problem of the crime rate and deport any one who cannot obey the laws, but this is not done and these people are allowed to get lost into the system again, with all their phony ID's. We have been hearing about how social security is in so much trouble but yet the government wants to give illegals soc security.What is this government thinking of, why free college, I worked for ten years at a factory, and day after day I had to listen to people from different countries tear this country apart, say how stupid we all are and when I asked them why did they come hear I heard"for the money" A lot of these people had been here for ten to fifteen years and had no interest and were saving to go back to their country so they could live like king and queens.We citizens deserve better and are sick to death having to put with this and refuse to put with this.Please listed to us and make it a fare life for all of us.do something for these homeless people first, this should never happen in america.
Naisbitt at 10:36PM on Apr 9th 2007
13.
I can't believe I'm saying this, but I actually agree with something this president has done. I feel like this is an adequate compromise between full amnesty (a disgrace considering that they did break the law in crossing illegally) and deporting 12 million people (undoubtedly destroying our economy in the process).
Peter at 12:48AM on Apr 10th 2007
14. In response to PETER; My son lost his construction job in Feb. to ILLEGAL ALIEN subcontractors. He has a family to support and a mortgage. Tonight I learn my eldest daughter has lost her cleaning contract to ILLEGAL ALIEN subcontractors. She's a single mom!!! These incidents took place in central Ohio...not Arizona,Texas,California or New Mexico. I suppose you believe in the tooth fairy, Santa and the Easter Bunny along with George Bush's line of BULL that "they just take jobs Americans won't do". These ILLEGALS weren't invited here by "We the People". Our economy will survive without these people. ILLEGALS are a drain on legal taxpaying Americans and DEPRESS WAGES for American workers. The meat packing business has went from $18-$20 dollars an hour to $11-$13 dollars an hour currently because they specialize in hiring ILLEGAL ALIENS. George Bush, the Homeland Security director and the Attorney General(Larry, Curley and Moe) have turned a blind eye to securing our borders. They favor corporate america and pandering to the Mexican government over the american worker. ILLEGAL IS ILLEGAL and we can remove them by enforcing the worksite laws already in place.It is against the law to hire ILLEGAL ALIENS. Stiffen the employers punishment with bigger fines and jail time. If the jobs for ILLEGALS dry-up and state and county officials cut the social "give away" programs, these people will leave on their own. ILLEGALS use us as their own personal ATM's. You should question everything this administration is involved in and especially when it comes to"comprehensive immigration". These people are selling OUR constitution right out from beneath our feet. George Washington didn't cross the Delaware for George Bush to give it all away!
Lew at 1:50AM on Apr 10th 2007
15. Well if government should decide that all illegals will have to pay double the taxes, and get no tax return on any circumstance, limit them only certain low income job available, plus Z visas of $3,500 and $10,000 to become legal resident.... I don't think is such a bad plan. Those money add up into hundreds of billion of dollars extra for the government, as long as if the government willing to use all the money to build for our future, like social security, healthcare, school and other. I think it's fair deal for me. Until that time they notice they won't earn as much as they can after paying everything may be they will decide to give up and return back home, and if they dicide to become illegal and don't want to continue to pay the fine, it will be easier to track them down, at least it's easier then to track down 12 millions of them!
Kenny at 3:49AM on Apr 10th 2007