George Bush calls for 'gradual' citizenship path for illegal immigrants, but says 'amnesty' is 'unfair'

Fox News ^ | Published 2 hours ago 4/17/21 | Adam Shaw

[conservative98]

Former President George W. Bush on Friday made a call for what he described as a "gradual" path to legal residency and eventually citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants -- while at the same time claiming that "amnesty" would be "fundamentally unfair."

[cut]

"The help and respect historically accorded to new arrivals is one reason so many people still aspire and wait to become Americans. So how is it that in a country more generous to new arrivals than any other, immigration policy is the source of so much rancor and ill will?" he asks.

Bush lists a number of steps that can be taken, beginning with permanent legal status to illegal immigrants who came to the country as children and were protected under the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

As for border security, nods to the present crisis at the southern border without mentioning it directly. He calls for "a secure and efficient border...we should apply all the necessary resources -- manpower, physical barriers, advanced technology, streamlined and efficient ports of entry, and a robust legal immigration system -- to assure it."

As for illegal immigrants already in the country, Bush begins by saying that "a grant of amnesty would be fundamentally unfair to those who came legally or are still waiting their turn to become citizens."

However, he then immediately calls for those here illegally to be "brought out of the shadows through a gradual process in which legal residency and citizenship must be earned, as for anyone else applying for the privilege."

"Requirements should include proof of work history, payment of a fine and back taxes, English proficiency and knowledge of U.S. history and civics, and a clean background check," he says.

[wardamneagle]

The white privileged speaks.

[Ge0ffrey]

“Ah, shut up!” — Ronald Reagan

[Captainpaintball]

I remember when I was banned for a few days for trashing Jesus Duh-bya Arbusto. Good times...

[Eleutheria5]

From his 2000 convention speech.

[boycott]

Shut up, W. You and your family are a major reason for all the bad things currently happening in our nation.

[7thson]

STFU!

[JewishRighter]

I’ve got a STFU list of former Presidents and Politicians:

1. Barack Hussein Obama;
2. Michelle Hussein Obama;
3. Hillary Clinton;
4. Bill Clinton;
5. Jimmuh Carter;
6. George W. Bush;
7. Jeb Bush;
8. John Boehner;
9.

[Lurkinanloomin]

Any path to citizenship for illegal aliens that does not involve them going home and applying like real immigrants is amnesty, he just doesn’t want to call it that.

Just like when he was President.

[cp124]

Be easier to list the non-corrupt, pro-America ones. It is a very short list.

[Magnatron]

The man who was called Hitler by the left while in office, and who is generally despised by the right thinks folks care about his thoughts on any topic...

[JewishRighter]

Can’t really disagree, but I’m really focusing on the ones who just don’t STFU and go away.

[SunkenCiv]

• Affleck: Bush 'Can Be Hung' for Leakgate [4/8/2006]

[GOPJ]

Slow moving amnesty or fast moving amnesty - same damn thing... what’s the matter with Bush?

If umps cheated against the Texas Rangers fast - or slow - would it matter?

If a crook took money out of your bank account over a period of a month or took it all in one day - would it really make a difference?

Bush needs to get real on this issue. There is NOTHING for the American PEOPLE in making illegals legal. It’s a slap in the face for every working American - except drug dealers, whore house owners and people wanting to pay $4 bucks an hour for labor.