LIVE thread - Immigration Reform Markup 10am [Senate Judiciary]

C-span ^ | 3-27-06 | US Senate

[Cboldt]

Bush is speaking on immigration on FoxNews right now. Wouldn't everyone rather listen to him, than Specter?

The President's position is pretty clear, and his speeches on the subject are repetetive at this point.

He insists on a guest worker program, as well as border control improvements and interior enforcement. Both the President and his press secretary have been beating this drum for a few weeks, in response to repetetive questions from the press.

That means continuing to build upon the steps we've taken to strengthen our borders. It means improving our interior enforcement, and it means moving forward on meeting an important economic and humanitarian need through a temporary worker program.

Scott McClellan - March 15, 2006

---

MR. McCLELLAN: I think that kind of speculation is a little premature at this point. The Senate is working to move forward on immigration reform. The President has said that we need to have a comprehensive package that continues to build upon the steps we've taken [1] to strengthen our borders and better secure our borders, [2] to continue to enhance our interior enforcement, and also [3] to have a temporary guest worker program. The President believes very strongly that if we're going to address the problems we face from immigration, that we need to take a comprehensive approach.

Scott McClelland - March 17, 2006

The bottom line today is whether or not the Judiciary Committee comes out with a bill that includes a guest worker program. I think they will. I also think an immigration bill that includes a guest worker program will pass the Senate.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

This is what President Bush said on March 25, 2006

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/03/20060325.html

"Comprehensive immigration reform begins with securing our borders."

"To keep the promise of America, we must enforce the laws of America."

"One thing the temporary worker program would not do is provide
amnesty to those who are in our country illegally."

Look for the Impeach Bush t-shirt in this post
by Ladycalif

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1603387/posts?page=3#3

This sets the stage for the Dim's to be defeated in
even more 2006 and 2008 elections!

Any REAL Conservative knows the success
of the 2006 and 2008 elections
is electing those who secure our borders
and enforce the law of the land!

President Bush has set the example and
ensured a sweep in '06 and '08!

Only the looney left and the wrong rino's
would support illegal immigration
and amnesty for those who are in our country illegally!

Time for the real conservatives on FR,
be it Republicans, Independents or Democrats
(like Zell Miller and John O'Neill) to band together
and oust the looney left and RINO's

---

President's Radio Address March 25, 2006

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/03/20060325.html

THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. On Monday, I will attend a
naturalization ceremony here in Washington. It's always inspiring to
watch a group of immigrants raise their hands and swear an oath to
become citizens of the United States of America. These men and women
follow in the footsteps of millions who've come to our shores seeking
liberty and opportunity, and America is better off for their hard
work and love of freedom.

America is a nation of immigrants, and we're also a nation of laws.
And our immigration laws are in need of reform. So at Monday's
ceremony, I will discuss my vision for comprehensive immigration
reform that will secure our borders, improve enforcement of our
immigration laws, and uphold our values.

Comprehensive immigration reform begins with securing our borders.
Since I took office, we've increased funding for border security by
66 percent, and the Department of Homeland Security has caught and
sent home nearly 6 million illegal immigrants. To improve security at
the border, we're hiring thousands more Border Patrol agents. We're
deploying new technology, like infrared cameras and unmanned aerial
vehicles, to help our agents do their job. And we're installing
physical barriers to entry, like fences in urban areas.

We're also working to end the unwise practice of catch-and-release.
For decades, many illegal immigrants were released back into society
soon after they were caught, because we did not have enough detention
space. So we're adding more beds so we can hold the people we catch,
and we're reducing the time it takes to send them back home. When
illegal immigrants know they will be caught and sent home, they will
be less likely to break the rules, and our immigration system will be
more orderly and secure. We're making good progress, but we have much
more work ahead, and we will not be satisfied until we have control
of our border.

Comprehensive immigration reform also includes strengthening the
enforcement of our laws in America's interior. Since I took office,
we've increased funding for immigration enforcement by 42 percent.
We're increasing the number of immigration enforcement agents and
criminal investigators, enhancing work site enforcement, and going
after smugglers and gang members and human traffickers.

Finally, comprehensive immigration reform requires a temporary worker
program that will relieve pressure on our borders. This program would
create a legal way to match willing foreign workers with willing
American employers to fill jobs that Americans will not do. By
reducing the number of people trying to sneak across the border, we
would free up our law enforcement officers to focus on criminals and
drug dealers and terrorists and others who mean us harm.

One thing the temporary worker program would not do is provide
amnesty to those who are in our country illegally. I believe that
granting amnesty would be unfair, because it would allow those who
break the law to jump ahead of people who play by the rules and wait
in the citizenship line. Amnesty would also be unwise, because it
would encourage waves of illegal immigration, increase pressure on
the border, and make it more difficult for law enforcement to focus
on those who mean us harm. For the sake of justice and for the sake
of border security, I firmly oppose amnesty.

In the coming days, the United States Senate plans to consider
proposals on immigration reform. This is an emotional debate. America
does not have to choose between being a welcoming society and being a
lawful society. We can be both at the same time. As we debate the
immigration issue, we must remember there are hard-working
individuals, doing jobs that Americans will not do, who are
contributing to the economic vitality of our country.

To keep the promise of America, we must enforce the laws of America.
We must also ensure that immigrants assimilate into our society and
learn our customs and values -- including the English language. By
working together, we can meet our duty to fix our immigration system
and deliver a bill that protects our country, upholds our laws, and
makes our Nation proud.

Thank you for listening.

[Wasanother]

That's exactly what I was thinking but he could eliminate the skepticism of Amnesty by doing two steps before giving the temporary permit, ticket them for being here illegally with a $200 fine and make them go back first. If the fine is not paid it goes into warrant then they can't come back.
Just a thought.

[Mo1]

Looks like Kyle caught Durbin something about the wording Durbin's amendment .. but I'm a little confused as to what its about/says

[Wasanother]

They did. He tried to squeeze some crap about exempting almost everyone from being criminalized for assisting illegal immigrants but Kyl narrowed it down to only emergency medical care.

[Reagan Man]

PresBush just gave a short speech in which he said three things have to be done for any new immigration reform work. Seal the borders, improve interior enforcement efforts and install a guest worker program. Well, he's got the order right. Now how about them details. How high will those walls be? How deep are those moats gonna be? Will the electric fences fry folks or just shock`em good? And how much jail time will illegals who are caught have to do?

Maybe Bush is finally getting it. Then again, maybe he's not.

[Mo1]

They did. He tried to squeeze some crap about exempting almost everyone from being criminalized for assisting illegal immigrants but Kyl narrowed it down to only emergency medical care.

Thanks .. I thought that was it, but wasn't sure

I was getting confused between Kyle and Corynn

Kennedy is up saying that Kyle's amendment narrows Durbin and Specter's amendment

[Txsleuth]

Boy are you right....I am sitting here watching this, knowing that there are already groups on both sides of issue, gearing up for major demonstrations and protests.

[Mo1]

Looks like Diane got herself a haircut

[Txsleuth]

The way they are agrueing about this one Durbin amendment with the Kyl second degree amendment....I would say midnight might be LUNCH TIME of this get together....LOL

[Wasanother]

Cornyn has it right, they must go back first then apply for guest worker. I don't think Bush wants them to go back first, he wants them to pay a fine first, stay in place, apply and then go to work. He has said he felt as punishment for being here illegally they need to pay restitution just like a ticket but that it shouldn't eliminate them from work and that's why it's not amnesty to him.

[TomGuy]

Specter: One hour for lunch.

[Don't want a Senator to miss a meal or forego a recess or holiday, do we.]

[Mo1]

The way they are agrueing about this one Durbin amendment with the Kyl second degree amendment

Kyle is going for a better approach

Durbin is trying to get a broader wording

Remember this bill/amendment will be challenged in the Courts .. you can count on that

The Dems are pushing for a vote on the amendment now instead of taking a break to work it out

[Txsleuth]

I have a feeling you are right

[Mo1]

there are a lot of voting by proxy

[Txsleuth]

Durbin just WON in a committee that is SUPPOSED to be majority REPUBLICAN.

[Willie Green]

Maybe Bush is finally getting it. Then again, maybe he's not.

It doesn't matter how many times he tries to repackage his guest worker program.
He's on the wrong side of National Security, and his credibility is in the toilet.

[Mo1]

Durbin amendment is agreed to ??

[maggief]

DeWine ... yes, by proxy. Correct?

[truthkeeper]

And Hatch passed. What a wimp.