Posted on 12/10/2003 5:18:44 AM PST by Klickitat
Ridge: Give illegal entrants 'status' A top Bush administration official suggests at a town hall meeting in Miami that illegal immigrants should be granted limited legal status. BY MICHAEL VASQUEZ mrvasquez@herald.com
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said Tuesday that he believes the vast majority of illegal immigrants in the United States are not a threat to national security and should be given ``some kind of legal status.''
Ridge's comments came during a town hall meeting at Miami Dade College in response to a question from the audience about whether offering amnesty to illegal immigrants might make them easier to track and make the country safer.
While saying any changes in immigration laws would have to be approved by Congress, Ridge said he believed there was growing momentum to change the way the nation dealt with illegal immigrants.
''I'm not saying make them citizens,'' Ridge said. ``They violated our laws to get here. You don't reward that kind of conduct.''
Ridge provided no further explanation about how granting illegal immigrants limited legal status would work and what rights such a status would carry. A telephone call to a spokesperson for Ridge seeking further comment was not returned.
But the remarks by a key member of President Bush's cabinet suggests a shift in tone toward illegal immigrants.
Following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the Bush administration placed greater emphasis on protecting the nation's borders, enacting measures to thwart terrorists.
Efforts in Washington at reforming immigration policy essentially were put on hold. And immigrant advocates have said they perceive many of the Bush administration's national security measures to be anti-immigrant.
As a result, Ridge's comments caught some immigrant advocates off guard.
''I had no idea the [Bush administration] was seriously considering it,'' said Cheryl Little, executive director of the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center.
Little said most antiterrorist initiatives adopted by the Bush administration jeopardize national security by making illegal immigrants distrustful of authorities.
Those supporting stricter U.S. immigration policy criticized Ridge's comments. Dan Stein, executive director of the Washington-based Federation for American Immigration Reform, said granting illegal immigrants additional rights would encourage more to head for U.S. borders.
''What security objective is accomplished by encouraging further lawbreaking?'' Stein asked. `
Stein said he believed that some illegal immigrants given limited legal status would provide authorities false biographical information.
The issue of granting illegal immigrants certain rights has proven volatile. Former California Gov. Gray Davis, citing post-Sept. 11 security concerns, vetoed a bill last year that would have allowed illegal immigrants to obtain California driver's licenses. A year later, facing a tough recall campaign, Davis signed a bill with fewer security safeguards. Some voters viewed Davis's turnabout as a political ploy to please the Democratic Party's Latino wing and the controversy contributed to Davis' defeat.
This sounds like a joke. Remember, Ridge would not be saying this unless he received permission from his boss. I guess it is all about winning an election not what is best for the country. Very sad. I guess that Bush is really worried about winning Florida. If he doesn't win Florida, he losses in 2004 and I guess this is the way he thinks he will win it. I really do believe Rove has been bad for Bush.
Huh?!
Pull your head out Tom. Granting any kind of "status" besides incarceration is a REWARD!
Sometimes these people make my brain itch...
Ya'll come here now...just promise to leave your big, bad bombs at home.
Let's see.I have to have business licenses,certifications(one for planting and one for design where I have to take tests that the state charges me for,one for chemical application if I fertilize),pay taxes,keep records,pay unemployment insurance,pay workmans comp. insurance,pay half of each employees social security,vehicle insurance,liability insurance,sales tax on any wholesale plants I use.If I were an illegal alien though,I could forego all of this nonsense and be forgiven for all of the laws I am breaking or have broken in the past.
Yup,sounds fair to me. (sarcasm off)
Bump to your comment.
Ridge: Give illegal entrants 'status'
Okay, Tom, let me see if I understand the logical syllogism here:
1. You don't reward illegal conduct.
2. Giving illegal entrants "status" is a reward.
3. Therefore, we should reward illegal conduct by giving illegal entrants status.
Hey, Tom, I have one for you:
1. Black is black.
2. White is white.
3. Therefore, black is white.
However, I agree that the vast majority "are not a threat to national security". In fact, they may prove beneficial to the U.S. Many are young, energetic, and upwardly mobile. Most are from Latin America and are Westernized and Christian, and, of great importance, they are not Muslims, who, in large numbers, would be a threat to national security.
The real threat to national security is porous borders and the unwillingness--or inability--of the U.S. government to enforce its laws.
This is what should be done:
(1) The Bush Administration should announce that beginning on a given date U.S. immigration policy will be strictly enforced. Enforcement should begin as announced.
(2) U.S. military troops should be placed along the entire length of the Mexican border to enforce its security.
(3) Amnesty and U.S. citizenship should be offered to all illegal aliens living in the U.S. who are not felons, who renounce citizenship of any other nation, and who apply for U.S. citizenship before a given date. All others should be deported.
(4) The Bush Administration should propose an amendment to the Constitution saying that birth in the U.S. does not automatically confer citizenship unless at least one parent is a U.S. citizen.
Bright move, Tom. I'm sure Mohammed Atta, Marwan al-Shehhi and Ziad Jarrah didn't overtly act like the lethal threats that they were. In fact, creatures who plan such heinous acts tend to act like the most quiet, law-abiding people precisely to avoid attracting attention. Yeesh! When did Ridge fall off that turnip truck? He's almost as bad as NYC's Nurse Bloomberg, who wanted to give amnesty (and citizenship!) to every illegal alien here!
''I'm not saying make them citizens,'' Ridge said. ``They violated our laws to get here. You don't reward that kind of conduct.''
Anything less than packing them up and shipping them back to their country of origin -- C.O.D., preferably -- *is* rewarding them!
Following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the Bush administration placed greater emphasis on protecting the nation's borders, enacting measures to thwart terrorists.
Yes, and the problem with that is...? Hmm, which is more of a priority: preventing another savage slaughter from taking place on our soil, or offending the sensibilities of some sneaky foreigners who might be planning such activities and/or who blithely break our laws by illegally entering and remaining here?
Efforts in Washington at reforming immigration policy essentially were put on hold. And immigrant advocates have said they perceive many of the Bush administration's national security measures to be anti-immigrant.
Well, anything that's anti-illegal immigrant is fine with me -- and preferable.
Little said most antiterrorist initiatives adopted by the Bush administration jeopardize national security by making illegal immigrants distrustful of authorities.
"Distrustful"? Well, I suppose that's a good start -- but I'd prefer fear and loathing.
''What security objective is accomplished by encouraging further lawbreaking?'' Stein asked.
Smart man. :)
At best Tom is mentally challenged. Its downright frightening that someone like him is in charge of homeland security. Surely this statement should disqualify him.
Is there a petition to recall him?
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