Posted on 12/16/2015 3:54:28 AM PST by Helicondelta
In one of the most heated exchanges in Tuesday night's debate, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) hit Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) — who's painted himself as an anti-illegal immigration hardliner — for allegedly supporting legalization of illegal immigrants already in the country.
Cruz supported a 500% increase in the number of H1b guest worker visas, Rubio said, and wanted to double the number of green cards available. At the end of the back-and-forth, the Florida senator pinned down his colleague from Texas — asking Cruz whether he plans to support legalization of any sort for immigrants already living in the United States.
"Just rule it out," Rubio said.
Cruz responded: “I have never supported legalization, and I do not intend to support legalization.â€
It was a reversal of roles for Rubio to be knocking Cruz for being too soft on the immigrants already in the United States. Rubio admitted during the debate that his own plan, which allows for people who have been in the country illegally to apply for a green card after a probationary period, "may not be a majority position in my party."
Still, Cruz's “do not intend†phrasing struck some journalists and conservative writers as legalese.
(Excerpt) Read more at theblaze.com ...
Yer either fer it or agin it, Ted.
Be a man, take a stand—Black or White.
Otherwise, sayonara.
That’s one of the problems with Cruz. Too much lawyer speak. When read at face value, intend is a harmless word. Sort of like I don’t intend to go to the gym tonight, but I just might. That’s why most of the electorate is sick of politicians and lawyers, because we don’t know what they really “intend”. If you look at who’s funding Cruz and Cruz’s past statements it’s easy enough to figure out what intend really means. And it’s not what most conservatives want.
Sadly yes. Love his Constitutionalism. Don’t love his politicking. Still a lawyer, in the end.
I am tired of the ‘alarm bells’ of the world. I am tired of every utterance being a drama-mama moment.
Once again this is the appeal of Trump: “I’ll see that cop killers get the death penalty.” Jefferson illegally bought Louisiana. TR took Panama. Presidents can get things done.
Hillary and company are eager to hear more from you...
This is the main reason I’ll vote Trump over Cruz. Cruz is as weak on immigration as Rubio and Jebbie. He’s been trying to harden his stance to look more appealing to us but before Trump entered the race, immigration was not even a talking point for Cruz.
A lot of people frame their answers in a way that gives them an escape.It’s called being disingenuous.
Cruz is right though, first thing is implement the law. He is a stickler for the law. Does anyone know what the law is? I went to his site...The three main issues are in bold. There is "an increase" in deportation. There should be. Any illegal alien who doesn't like our form of government or implements another form of judicial tyranny should immediately be deported. They are breaking our laws. They will go first. There will be a dramatic population decrease in Michigan.
CRUZ PLAN TO STOP ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION HIGHLIGHTS
"It's not that we don't know how to solve illegal immigration. What is missing is the political will to get it done. And, as president, I will get it done. We will secure the borders.' - Ted Cruz
SECURE THE BORDER
A Cruz Administration's first priority for immigration reform will be to secure the U.S.-Mexico border. We will:
Build a wall that works. The unsecured border with Mexico invites illegal immigrants, criminals, and terrorists to tread on American soil. I will complete the wall.
Triple the number of Border Patrol agents. Securing the border is the federal government's obligation. I will dedicate the force necessary to do that.
Increase vital aerial surveillance and other technology along the border. Adding boots on the ground is not enough. Eyes in the sky and other equipment are necessary to find and detain all illegal entrants.
Finish the biometric tracking system at our nation's ports of entry. It is disgraceful that our federal government cannot keep track of those who enter the country. I will complete a biometric entry-exit tracking system.
RESTORE THE RULE OF LAW
We need a President who will follow the law, hold those who break it accountable, and take seriously the duty to protect Americans. To restore the Rule of Law, a Cruz Administration will:
End President Obama's illegal amnesty. President Obama has issued over 20 illegal executive memoranda rewarding illegality. I will rescind each and every one on my first day in office.
Increase deportations and end catch-and-release. Our laws are not being enforced. I will restore our commitment to enforcement, public safety, and the Rule of Law by rededicating DHS to fully enforcing the law, including through deportations and returns.
End sanctuary policies, sign Kates Law, and deport criminal immigrants. There are about 340 sanctuary jurisdictions in the United States. They make a mockery of our laws and endanger our citizens. I will end support for these jurisdictions.
Prohibit illegal immigrants from receiving financial benefits and strengthen E-Verify. American taxpayers should not be funding benefits for those who are here illegally, and American jobs should not go to those who are here illegally. I will protect Americans' wellbeing by stopping the flow of taxpayer dollars and instituting a strong e-verify system.
REFORM LEGAL IMMIGRATION TO PROTECT AMERICANS
In order to strengthen our immigration system, protect national security, and better serve American workers, we must:
Suspend the issuance of all H-1B visas for 180 days to complete a comprehensive investigation and audit of pervasive allegations of abuse of the program. New allegations detail appalling abuses of the H-1B visa program - a program meant to create American jobs and spur economic growth. I will suspend the program for 180 days to investigate abuses.
Halt any increases in legal immigration so long as American unemployment remains unacceptably high. The purpose of legal immigration should be to grow the economy, not to displace American workers. Under no circumstances should legal immigration levels be adjusted upwards so long as work-force participation rates remain below historical averages.
Enforce the public-charge doctrine. Current law requires legal immigrants to certify that they will be economically self-sufficient. A Cruz Administration will ensure they do not receive government assistance, which defies the law and harms American taxpayers.
End birthright citizenship. Birthright citizenship was not intended to legalize the children of people who are breaking the law by entering and staying in the country illegally. I will take steps to pass legislation or a constitutional amendment to end it.
Sounds definitive to me.
I have never nor do I intend to... the words typically go together.
Jeez.
He’s for it. Just doesn’t have the guts to say it.
I don’t intend to eat the last piece of chocolate cake.
Sorry Ted, Rubio cleaned you’re clock. Folks here need to understand that Cruz, while a good conservative, will not be president.
Once the border is airtight, visa holders are completely vetted and proven to be pro-American, and there is a demonstrable need for special skills, even I would consider adjusting H1b visas upward slightly. But, those somewhat low hurdles are not even close to being met at this time.
Oldplayer
Oh BULL!
Rubio was trying get Ted to make a pledge, and Ted simply didn’t take the bait.
Exactly
The problem with any of the questions is what Congress will or not do, then taken to the SC...how they’d rule. Unless we want another ruler by dictate or fiat, like Obama, laws are mainly passed by Congress and can be undone by the courts. To some extent, it means little. You can be 500% for something but the SC rule against you...or Congress pass a veto-safe over-ride.
I think many of us forget that presidents don’t get to implement all their own rules. I know Obama has gotten away with it because we somehow cannot challenge the first black president on legality of anything in case his feelings are hurt....which they daily are. I think we’re supposed to be distressed about that, but I have not been able to raise those kinds of feelings about HIS hurt feelings.
“Sounds definitive to me.”
About as definitive as someone saying: “Judge, I did’t intend to do it. I didn’t mean to.”
Says you.
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