Bush talks about immigration:Quotes from Dubyaon the topic ofimmigration

05/30/2007 | Greg Hampton

[GLH3IL]

Recently many Freepers have been acting like Bush has never addressed the issue of immigration, and now all of a sudden they recognize that his view of how to deal with the subject is not exactly conservative in nature.

Wow. He's only spoken to this subject several times...and he has not stepped away from what he said he would do. We voted for him twice, knowing full well what his immigration policy was going to be. Stop acting like he's suddenly worse than Nixon, Carter, and Clinton all rolled into one.

Kudo's to On The Issues for archiving all of these quotes!

(http://issues2000.org/Celeb/George_W__Bush_Immigration.htm)

George W. Bush on Immigration

"Our economy could not function without the immigrants We hear claims that immigrants are somehow bad for the economy, even though this economy could not function without them. All these are forms of economic retreat, and they lead in the same direction, toward a stagnant and second-rate economy."

Source: 2006 State of the Union Address Jan 31, 2006

Support a humane guest-worker program that rejects amnesty

"Keeping America competitive requires an immigration system that upholds our laws, reflects our values and serves the interests of our economy. Our nation needs orderly and secure borders. To meet this goal, we must have stronger immigration enforcement and border protection. And we must have a rational, humane guest-worker program that rejects amnesty, allows temporary jobs for people who seek them legally and reduces smuggling and crime at the border."

Source: 2006 State of the Union Address Jan 31, 2006

He's rejecting amnesty, exactly as he says he's doing now, but we all agree that's exactly what this proposed legislation is. Yet, we can't argue that we didn't know it was coming or what his position on this topic was!

"It's time to permit temporary guest workers America's immigration system is outdated, unsuited to the needs of our economy and to the values of our country. We should not be content with laws that punish hardworking people and deny businesses willing workers and invite chaos at our border. It is time for an immigration policy that permits temporary guest workers to fill jobs Americans will not take, that rejects amnesty, that tells us who is entering and leaving our country, and that closes the border to drug dealers and terrorists."

Source: 2005 State of the Union Speech Feb 2, 2005

Again, another SOTU and another clear announcement of his intentions on the immigration issue!

Temporary workers ok, but no amnesty

"Q: What should we do about the 8,000 people cross our borders illegally every day?

BUSH: We're increasing the border security of the US. There ought to be a temporary worker card that allows a willing worker and a willing employer, so long as there's not an American willing to do that job, to join up. I don't believe we ought to have amnesty. I don't think we ought to reward illegal behavior. There are plenty of people standing in line to become a citizen. If they want to become a citizen, they can stand in line, too. And here is where my opponent and I differ. In September 2003, he supported amnesty for illegal aliens.

KERRY: We need a guest-worker program. We need is to crack down on illegal hiring. And thirdly, we need an earned-legalization program for people who have been here for a long time, stayed out of trouble, got a job, paid their taxes, and their kids are American. We got to start moving them toward full citizenship, out of the shadows."

Source: Third Bush-Kerry Debate, in Tempe Arizona Oct 13, 2004

Here we go. Kerry is already starting with the "out of the shadows" bilge back in the Fall of 2004. Clearly he and Bush don't differ on this subject much. Yet, Kerry lost...Bush won....and we suddenly seem shocked at what's happening?

A time-limited worker card for the illegal immigrants

"Q: At least 8,000 people cross our borders illegally every day. How do you see it? And what do we need to do about it?

A: We're increasing the border security of the US. We've got 1,000 more Border Patrol agents on the southern border. We're using new equipment. We're using unmanned vehicles to spot people coming across. We'll continue to do so over the next four years. They're coming here to work. In order to take pressure off the borders, in order to make the borders more secure, there ought to be a temporary worker card that allows a willing worker and a willing employer to mate up, so long as there's not an American willing to do that job, to join up in order to be able to fulfill the employers' needs. It makes sure that the people coming across the border are humanely treated, that they're not kept in the shadows of our society, that they're able to go back and forth to see their families. The card it'll have a period of time attached to it. It also means it takes pressure off the border.

Source: Third Bush-Kerry debate, in Tempe AZ Oct 13, 2004"

Again, BEFORE the 2004 elections he addresses the issue clearly...and much of what he's saying here IS in the proposed legislation. He's staying consistent in what he's saying - and we conservatives seem somehow shocked by it all.

Don't believe we ought to have amnesty

"BUSH: I don't believe we ought to have amnesty. I don't think we ought to reward illegal behavior. There are plenty of people standing in line to become a citizen. And we ought not to crowd these people ahead of them in line. If they want to become a citizen, they can stand in line, too. Kerry supported amnesty for illegal aliens."

KERRY: The borders are more leaking today than they were before 9/11. We haven't done what we need to do to toughen up our borders, and I will. We need a guest-worker program, but if it's all we have, it's not going to solve the problem. We need to crack down on illegal hiring. It's against the law in the US to hire people illegally, and we ought to be enforcing that law properly. We need an earned-legalization program for people who have been here for a long time, stayed out of trouble, got a job, paid their taxes, and their kids are American. We got to start moving them toward full citizenship, out of the shadows."

Source: Third Bush-Kerry debate, in Tempe AZ Oct 13, 2004

Sounding familiar?

Support temporary worker program but oppose amnesty

"I ask Congress to reform our immigration laws so they reflect our values and benefit our economy. I propose a new temporary-worker program to match willing foreign workers with willing employers when no Americans can be found to fill the job. This reform will be good for our economy, because employers will find needed workers in an honest and orderly system. A temporary-worker program will help protect our homeland, allowing border patrol and law enforcement to focus on true threats to our national security.

I oppose amnesty, because it would encourage further illegal immigration and unfairly reward those who break our laws. My temporary-worker program will preserve the citizenship path for those who respect the law, while bringing millions of hardworking men and women out from the shadows of American life."

Source: 2004 State of the Union address to joint session of Congress Jan 20, 2004

Another SOTU another clear expression of what his vision of immigration is.

New temporary worker program includes illegal aliens

"President Bush, saying the nation has failed millions of illegal immigrants who live in fear of deportation, yesterday proposed an ambitious plan that would allow undocumented workers to legally hold jobs in the US for the first time. The program that would bestow temporary legal status for at least 6 years on 8 million undocumented immigrants, as long as they keep their jobs. But it would not automatically put them on a path to obtaining citizenship or even permanent resident status.

"We must make our immigration laws more rational, and more humane," Bush told 200 Latino supporters attending his first White House announcement of the election year. "I believe we can do so without jeopardizing the livelihoods of American citizens." What Bush calls his "temporary worker" program was eagerly embraced by business groups but condemned as stingy and impractical by advocates for immigrants. Many said it has little chance of passing Congress in the form Bush described."

Source: Mike Allen, Washington Post, p. A1 Jan 8, 2004

Mexico: immigration reform in exchange for oil development

"Bush envisioned a Mexican border open to labor, to trade, and open to investment-especially investment in energy. Mexico had banned foreign investment in its energy industry in 1938, and ever since, Mexican oil production has been controlled by the creaky, corrupt, and polluting state monopoly, Pemex. If Mexico opened itself to the exploration and development of its oil resources by American entrepreneurs & technology, Mexican oil might possibly displace Arab oil from the US market altogether.

For this energy "quid," Mexico would of course demand some equally valuable "quo"-and in Bush's mind that "quo" was immigration reform. Bush believed that immigration was valuable to the US and praised it again and again in public speeches and his private conversations.

So the Bush administration designed a system for regularizing the Mexican-US labor relationship-not an amnesty like that of 1986, but a grander system for enabling Mexicans to work in the US temporarily and then to go home again."

Source: The Right Man, by David Frum, p. 84-85 Jun 1, 2003

Wow, 2003 and he's been talking about exactly what he wants fr quite sometime.

Respect other languages, but teach all children English

"Q: Should English be made the country’s official language? A: The ability to speak English is the key to success in America. I support a concept I call English-plus, insisting on English proficiency but recognizing the invaluable richness that other languages and cultures brings to our nation of immigrants. In Texas, the Spanish language enhances and helps define our state’s history. My fundamental priority is results. Whether a school uses an immersion program or a bilingual program, whichever effectively teaches children to read and comprehend English as quickly as possible, I will support. The standard is English literacy and the goal is equal opportunity - all in an atmosphere where every heritage is respected and celebrated."

Source: Associated Press Nov 1, 2000

$500M to cut INS application time to 6 months

"Expanding on a proposal to improve the INS, Bush pledged $500 million in new spending yesterday to cut the time needed to process an immigration application to an average of six months. Bush said the process now takes three to five years. Late last year, the INS announced that average times had been reduced from two years to 12 months, and were headed lower.

’’We will bring to the INS a new standard of service and a culture of respect,’’ Bush said. The new spending, to be doled out over five years, is the latest part of an INS overhaul plan that Bush’s campaign believes will resonate with Latino voters. ‘’We’ve got an INS that is too bureaucratic, too stuck in the past,’’ he said.

Last week, Bush announced that he wants to split the INS into two agencies: one for legitimate immigrants and one for border enforcement. He also proposed allowing relatives of permanent residents to visit the US while their own immigration papers are being processed."

Source: Paul Shepard, Associated Press, in Boston Globe, page A12 Jul 6, 2000

Welcome Latinos; immigration is not a problem to be solved

Latinos come to the US to seek the same dreams that have inspired millions of others: they want a better life for their children. Family values do not stop at the Rio Grande. Latinos enrich our country with faith in God, a strong ethic of work, community & responsibility. We can all learn from the strength, solidarity, & values of Latinos. Immigration is not a problem to be solved, it is the sign of a successful nation. New Americans are to be welcomed as neighbors and not to be feared as strangers."

Source: Speech in Washington, D.C. Jun 26, 2000

Make INS more “immigrant friendly”

Bush [would] divide the INS into two agencies: one to deal with the enforcement components of border protection and interior enforcement, and another to deal with the service components of naturalization. Bush will change the INS policy so that spouses & minor children of permanent residents can apply for visitor visas while their immigration applications are pending. He will reverse the presumption that such family members will violate their terms of admission, and will encourage family reunification."

Source: Speech in Washington, D.C. Jun 26, 2000

"High tech: More H-1B worker visas; less export controls

Supports meaningful, broad-based tort reform to protect our most innovative companies from frivolous and junk lawsuits.

Supports lifting the current limit on H-1B visas; believes long term solution to the shortage of high tech workers is education

Called for reforming the high tech export control system by allowing American companies to sell products in the international marketplace when these products are readily available in foreign or mass markets"

Source: GeorgeWBush.com: ‘Issues: Policy Points Overview’ Apr 2, 2000

Farm policy: Open markets abroad; more H-2A worker visas

"Calls upon European Union to abide by the rules of the World Trade Organization and allow importation of genetically modified farm products

Would work aggressively to open markets for U.S. products and producers

Supports reviewing and expanding the H-2A temporary agriculture workers program so that willing workers can provide much needed help to America’s farmers"

Source: GeorgeWBush.com: ‘Issues: Policy Points Overview’ Apr 2, 2000

"Latinos enrich us; family values go past Rio Grande Latinos have come to the US to seek the same dreams that have inspired millions of others: they want a better life for their children. Family values do not stop at the Rio Grande River. Latinos enrich our country with faith in God, a strong ethic of work and community and responsibility. Immigration is not a problem to be solved; it is the sign of a successful nation. New Americans are not to be feared as strangers; they are to be welcomed as neighbors."

Source: Reforming the INS, in “Renewing America’s Purpose” Feb 9, 2000

"More border guards to compassionately turn away Mexicans

We must do a better job of stopping those who seek to come into our country illegally. I support strict border enforcement programs such as Operation Hold the Line, which concentrate border patrol officers and resources at known border-crossing points. I believe it is far more compassionate to turn away people at the border than to attempt to find and arrest them once they are living in our country illegally."

Source: “A Charge to Keep”, p.237. Dec 9, 1999

"Guest workers, maybe; citizenship waiting period, yes Bush pledged to revisit guest worker programs and other ways for immigrants to come into the country, but said he would insist on immigration controls and a waiting period before citizenship."

Source: Mike Glover, Associated Press Aug 6, 1999

There it is....Bush has been talking this whole thing up for many years...and he's been elected twice while never straying from his vision. He's NOT going to change now. He's looking at this issue through the prism of helping less frtunate people have access to the greatest enegine for opportunity in the world today, the American free enterprise system.

[GLH3IL]

Let's stop the Bush bashing folks. I can totally understand your frustration, 100% I can, but what's going on is absolutely 100% in keeping with what Bush has been saying for a very long time. Let's redirect our energy towards a more efficient and effectice endeavor: defeating this bill before it reaches Dubya's desk.

[SerpentDove]

I do not feel any wartmth toward a president who is such a misguided fool.

Much less when he arrogantly and condescendingly points his finger in the faces of Americans who believe in the rule of law, and says we “don’t want to do what’s right for America.”

[SerpentDove]

should be “warmth”

[NormsRevenge]

Sadly, it shows the depths of long-term contempt that the President and the New Majority and RMSP has for the legal citizens of this nation and the miserable choices we have been offered by both parties to lead us.

The fact that he was elected twice considering the alternative does fuzzy the issue a bit but, bottom line, I agree, this bill must be defeated.

[loreldan]

Agreed. Our choices were: strong on defense, tax cuts, anti-abortion, pulling the US out of Kyoto, and amnesty

or

European-style (and controlled) defense, tax increases, pro-abortion, submitting to Kyoto, and amnesty.

[ding_dong_daddy_from_dumas]

>>Let’s stop the Bush bashing folks.<<

You can’t be serious.

He just bashed us, the people who have supported him from the beginning.

[ClaireSolt]

Bush is consistent, but it is Kennedy who has pushed the path to citizenship bit. Bush just wants a guest worker plan.

[SerpentDove]

So did you agree with him when he said opponents “don’t want to do what’s right for America?”

[WWTD]

Thanks for the post GHL. I feel so ashamed of myself. I should just shut up and yield to morally superior people like you and President Bush.

I voted for El Presidente Jorge Bush twice. And it should have ended there. But I’m such a bad person that I defied my president and party and openly criticized him over the Dubai Ports deal, Harriet Miers, No Child Left Behind, Prescription Health Care entitlements, and pork barrel spending.

And now I am once again criticizing this great president in pointing out that if he has failed to enforce the laws on the books, so why should I trust him to enforce new laws? How dare I raise such objections!

Once again, thanks for the post GHL. You, Bush, Linda Chavez, and Michael Chertoff are brilliant and the rest of us are a bunch of narrow-minded yahoos.

[ca centered]

A large number of those who voted for Bush’s second term were holding their noses as they pulled the lever. Didn’t the arrogant puke just say that conservatives didn’t want is right for America? I presume he meant the United States of America. He forgot that part. We were all hoping Republican conservatives would have enough power in the house and senate to kill his amnesty goals. He continually says it’s not amnesty. That’s a naughty naughty boy who keeps spitting out lies. He’s a globalist in a bad way. Yes we need to kill the bill. It would be a hell of a lot easier if little bush acted like a patriot on this important issue. He is behaving like a patriot to The New World Order.

[COgamer]

Scarily, a lot of Kerry’s answers are for tougher enforcement than Bush’s are.

[GLH3IL]

First off, it’s GLH...but hey...who am I to quibble.

Did I say you (and those that are feeling as you do) are narrow minded or yahoo’s? No.

My point is...Bush isn’t up for re-elections in 2008, but by God you would swear up and down that BOTH parties thinks he is.

I happen to oppose this bill as much as everyone that’s reading me the riot act. The difference here is I’m not shocked or offended by what he’s doing - he’s made it crystal clear for a long time what his vision of the amnesty issue is. He did try to minimize it’s profile by saying it’s not amnesty, when it’s plainly obvious that the proposed legislation is exactly that. Bush is going to be out of office in the not too distant future. I do not believe there is any pressure we can bring to the table that will change his policy on this issue.

Congress, on the other hand, is a different matter. Each Senator, at some point, is going to have to stand up and vote on this bill. When that happens, the ones that support the bill with their vote are gonna have some ‘splainin to do back home with their constituents. Same with the House...especially republicans in conservative districts and all politicians in states with serious issues arising from illegal immigration.

Those of you that think Bush is THAT bad, then write yur elected representatives in Washington and demand they begin impeachment prodeedings against Bush based upon your perception that he’s committed impeachable offenses against the United States. Personally, I would much prefer to focus my energies on defeating the anmesty bill in the Senate, and if that fails then on to the House and defeat it there.

I understand everyone’s anger about this. BUT, we have a narrow window of time to defeat this bill. Wasting energy hating and dissing Dubya is getting us nowhere in defeating the bill.

” I should just shut up and yield to morally superior people like you...”

I’m absolutely not morally superior to anyone....I’m simply trying my best to keep a cool head about this, and work hard to stop this immigration bill from becoming law.

[rurgan]

You forgot 2 conservative justices, Alito and Roberts on the Supreme court. A democrat president would have put 2 communists on the supreme court.

Still this Amnesty bill is the worst bill EVER. We have to stop this bill or it will be the end of the U.S. as we know it.

Then we have to elect a person who is running for president who is a solid pro-life, pro-gun, small government Republican, and emerged as the leader in the national struggle for true immigration reform and who will stop this illegal immigrant invasion.

where could we find such a man? Duncan Hunter or Tom Tancredo: Even Reagan signed an Amnesty bill. Can we trust Thompson? or can we go with a proven warrior on this issue? I know the liberal media says Tancredo and Hunter don't have a chance but they would if they got the nomination. The media doesn't want either of these men. are we going to let the media decide who we nominate?

[stephenjohnbanker]

“He’s a globalist in a bad way. Yes we need to kill the bill. It would be a hell of a lot easier if little bush acted like a patriot on this important issue. He is behaving like a patriot to The New World Order.”

AMEN!!

[sand88]

Bush isn’t up for re-elections in 2008, but by God you would swear up and down that BOTH parties thinks he is

what an utterly ridiculous conclusion. Everyone has perspectives and yours is definitely borderline arrogant. Do you think we are that dumb? Duh, you mean he isn't running? Gosh I didn't know. Get Real.

A vast majority of conservatives and many democrats are very upset at President Bush for one reason: His intention to sign this amnesty bill. He alone could kill this bill, a bill that will lead to the destruction of our Republic through balkanization, increased spending to support this third world invasion and a new voter block beholden to the leftists.

As for "Bush has been consistent" rant, what is the relevance of that?? It's nothing but sniveling arrogance to push that line. The bottom line is we our Republic is at the precipice. We will either tend towards Liberty, or decay into a socialist hell. President Bush, along with many in Congress, seem hell bent on pushing into third world socialist hell.

[GLH3IL]

Am I arrogant or just aware of where our energies need to be focused? I’m sorry that you dislike what I have to say, but I firmly believe all this griping about Bush isn’t advancing one blasted thing.

We have major elections right on our doorstep. Once again, we have within our ability to chart a conservative course for the country. If we are going to complain about Bush, let’s do so with a purpose other than just to whine about him. But the message of disappointment and frustration isn’t just about Bush is it?

It’s about the Republican Party in general, and those in leadership positions or former leaders of both halves of congress that have made themselves little liberals with all this spending and anti-conservative agendas. Bush is right there to be sure, but Hastert and Lott also hold some responsibility too don’t they? I believe that the leadership in Senate primarily, and to a lesser extent the House are just as much to blame for what’s happening as Bush is. THEY will be seeking reelection, THEY will be wanting to retain their leadership posts after the elections...it is there we must focus.

In my mind Bush has very lofty reasons for why he’s in favor of the particular immigration reforms he’s sponsoring. I truly believe that his intentions with this bill are honorable. If you look at the whole of what he has done in his tenure as President, his polices had trended towards doing things that actually do the things that the Dims always use to campaign on, but never do. Limbaugh has spoken on this more than a few times. The sad, unfortunate fact is, that all of his work is now having exactly the opposite effect from which he intended. The road to hell is paved with good intentions to be sure, but we have within our ability to change the direction we are traveling. That reversal begins with pressuring Congress to kill the immigration reform. Then retaking the Republican Party by helping to select a presidential candidate that WILL reflect our shared conservative values.

So if you all want to call me names for my opinions fine, if that’s how you get your jollies that’s nifty I suppose. But as I’ve said, I’m looking forward to what we can do as conservatives, not just looking to be in a whining contest.

Whining is for liberals, solutions are for conservatives.

[GLH3IL]

don’t feel bad, my space bar key on my keyboard is goin bad...grrr....

[GLH3IL]

The Swimmer has been working this angle since the 1960’s, the most frustrating part of this whole thing for me is why anyone on the GOP, Bush on down, is listening to ANYTHING The Swimmer has to say or support any kind of legislation that would come from his desk...especially after the garbage with the NCLB.

[GLH3IL]

Bush is convinced that expanding free trade and economic opportunity for the whole continent is in the long term best interests of the United States, and anyone that disagrees with that is wrong and not looking at the long term best interests of the US. I am not sure that he really views this as a national securtity issue per se. I’m one of those he would say is not looking at the best interests of the US...but I’m not offended by his remarks, I’m simply motivated to work harder to defeat the proposed “reform” and get the GOP back on the right track.

[sand88]

President, his polices had trended towards doing things that actually do the things that the Dims always use to campaign on, but never do.

I suggest you review writings on the 9th and 10th Amendments to the Constitution. I could care less if his intentions are honorable. Most of what government does is wholly unconstitutional. We are rapidly moving towards inevitable socialism. On a personable level President Bush indeed seems to be an honorable man. He is correct and strong on the WOT. As to other aspects of his Presidency, I will withhold comment. (immigration excluded) Thanks for your comments.