Republicans for Illegal Immigration

Despite initial pledges to bring America's borders under control following 9/11, America's elected officials -- including conservative Republicans both inside and outside the Bush Administration -- have advanced programs to reward illegal immigration. Recently, the highest ranking officials charged with protecting Americans from terrorist attacks, including President Bush himself, have been dropping hints that deals are underway to legalize some 13 million "undocumented workers" living among us -- and possibly send Social Security checks south of the border.

Speaking before a town hall meeting in Miami recently, Homeland Security chief Tom Ridge let slip a prospective plan to legalize 13 million illegal aliens currently in our nation. He told the crowd that the government has an obligation to "afford some kind of legal status" to the 13 million who have snuck across our borders or who have committed visa violations.

''I'm not saying make them citizens,'' Ridge said. "They violated our laws to get here. You don't reward that kind of conduct.'' However some level of reward is implied by his statement.

A DHS spokesperson told Frontpagemag.com that Ridge did not mention any "amnesty" program. "The Secretary said that we've got to come to grips with reality that there are 8-13 million people and that they will have to have some sort of legal status as we go through the accounting of determining who may pose a potential threat to us. The word 'amnesty' was not mentioned by the Secretary," the DHS spokesperson Brian Roehrkasse said.

Although the term "amnesty" has not been used, what else could one call a guest worker program that would allow millions of illegal workers to be legally employed, pay taxes and collect Social Security benefits upon retiring? Ridge is correct in saying this is not a "blanket" amnesty, giving citizenship to the millions affected by such a program; it would, however, create a second class citizenship consigning a minority to perpetual menial jobs. Moreover, this intolerable condition, incompatible with the fundamental tenants this nation was founded upon, would not endure, instead becoming the foot in the door to outright citizenship (that is, "amnesty").

Days after the Miami trial balloon, White House spokesman Scott McClellan reaffirmed Ridge's comments by saying that, while the federal government has taken steps to beef up immigration enforcement and border security, those moves are merely the “foundations for moving forward on a more orderly, safe and humane migration policy.”

It was not the first time Ridge has hinted at a guest worker program; his remarks before a conference on issues of illegal immigration sponsored by the Center for the Study of Popular Culture in January of 2002 highlighted the policy that has been put forth by the administration since Bush first took office. At the conference he responded to an attendee's question on possible amnesty by saying, “If [illegals] have been in this country, if they have proven to be productive citizens, if they've engaged in their communities, supporting their schools -- if those around the caliber and the qualities that they bring to their community -- we may want to consider treating them a little bit differently than just outright lawbreakers.” That these criminals are outright lawbreakers seems to be in question by the man in charge of protecting our shores from criminal invaders.

Earlier this year, Secretary of State Colin Powell expressed much the same sentiments when he said that "the Mexicans already here in the United States and making a positive contribution to our economy, and doing a lot for themselves and doing a lot for the American people" deserve some quasi-legal status. The State Department has been hashing out the details of a proposed amnesty or guest worker program with Mexican President Vincente Fox's government since the summer of 2001. The 9/11 attacks effectively placed any such considerations on the back burner, but with the election looming -- and on the heels of the popular but incredibly costly Congressional Medicare "reform" -- it now appears that enough time has passed and enough goodwill has been created within the ranks of Congress to make a de facto amnesty program viable to the Bush Administration.

Immigration reform advocates expressed justifiable concern with these recent developments. David Ray, a spokesman for the Federation of Americans for Immigration Reform, told Frontpagemag.com: "It seems that everyone is bending over backwards to reward people who have not only cheated their way into the country, but have cheated the system to remain. They've cheated the taxpayer for social services they didn't pay for, and now they've cheated their way to a green card."

"Prior to 9/11, Bush and Fox had been talking all along about some sort of guest worker amnesty. Democrats have historically been for amnesty but now the Republicans are being very careful not to use the (word) 'amnesty'...(They use phrases like) 'earned legalization,' 'guest worker proposal,' 'pay as you go,' but what they're really talking about is (a) program that does contain an amnesty component, because it's going to allow illegals to remain -- and eventually put them on the road to a green card and citizenship. You can put a pig in a new dress, but it's still a pig underneath."

During a press conference in mid-December, President Bush told reporters that "this administration is firmly against blanket amnesty" for the 13 million "undocumented" aliens in question. However, he believes there is room for a guest worker program. “I have constantly said that we need to have a immigration policy that helps match any willing employer with any willing employee,” the President stated. "We're in the process of working that through now so I can make a recommendation to the Congress."

In the meantime, lawmakers are not cooling their heels waiting for recommendations from the White House. Congressmen have floated proposals through the House and Senate for months, and these look to be key components of the Congressional agenda after the Christmas recess.

GOP Representatives Jim Kolbe and Jeff Flake and Senator John McCain (all Republicans from Arizona) have sponsored companion legislation that would begin the process to grant a legal status to illegal workers in the United States. Called the "Border Security and Immigration Improvement Act of 2003" (H.R. 2899 and S. 1461), the bill seeks to amend “the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish new visa programs.” The bill would create a new visa category for migrant workers, which would allow illegals already present to pay a small fine, then enter the program. Registration in the program would legalize hiring these criminal aliens, change existing employment laws currently prohibiting it, and open the flood gates to additional migrants seeking to work under the new plan.

According to Kolbe, the bill "will allow a safe and accessible way for United States businesses, which are desperate to find individuals to fill their job openings, to find and employ able and hard working foreign workers."

“Clearly, momentum for a comprehensive and fair temporary worker program continues to build,” Rep. Flake announced in a December release. “Congress has the responsibility to begin debate on this proposal.”

Although few co-sponsors have come forward to support the measures, it is believed that, like the controversial Medicare bill recently passed with intense pressure from the White House, the support the Bush Administration has already lent the proposals could give guest worker amnesty the political clout needed to make it law. Nevertheless, public opinion has continually viewed any kind of quasi-amnesty overtures negatively, leaving many lawmakers questioning the administration's priorities.

"I can think of few things that could be more dangerous for homeland security than granting amnesty to 8 to 13 million illegal aliens. Hearing the Secretary of Homeland Security suggest such a course of action is -- to say the least -- somewhat disturbing," said Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-CO, Chairman of the Immigration Reform Caucus. "Perhaps the Administration ought to dedicate more energy to enforcing our existing immigration laws and less on finding ways to allow millions to skirt them."

On the heels of Ridge's comments came reports that the Bush Administration was seriously considering allowing Mexicans working in the United States illegally to collect Social Security benefits. According to press reports, the Bush Administration is considering adding Mexico to the list of 20 other countries currently participating in “totalization” agreements that allow workers who return to their nation of origin to collect Social Security payments. Opponents of the move point to the identity theft and under-the-table payments many Mexican aliens receive for their labors, opening the door to massive fraud and abuse. This also overlooks the added strain the payments will place upon the already-imperiled Social Security program. Yet all reports indicate that White House sources support the plan.

The proposals for guest worker amnesty, coupled with the Social Security for Mexicans, make it clear that the Republican Party and the Bush Administration are actively pursuing some form of legalization for aliens, if not outright citizenship.

"This is like a double-header horror story," Ray said. "Not only are we going to reward people who willingly and flagrantly violated our immigration laws, but we have no plan in place after doing so to curtail illegal immigration. We are setting ourselves up for the same scenario five years from now."

The last time blanket amnesty was offered to illegals, in 1986, approximately 2.7 million took advantage of the citizenship offer. Yet that year the nation saw a dramatic increase in both illegal immigration and chain migration, wherein the newly minted "citizens" sponsored family members to come to America. Both results ran counter to the reduction lawmakers and other amnesty proponents assured us would occur.

And far worse, as Ray's emphasized, "In 1993 some of those amnesty recipients were involved in the first World Trade Center bombing."

As the administration and other amnesty-friendly lawmakers attempt an election year political coup, reform advocates are already predicting an onslaught of propoganda to bolster voter support for both the guest worker program and Social Security payments.

"There's going to be a huge disinformation campaign waged by the White House in an attempt to convince the American public that this isn't a measure that will reward lawbreakers," Ray said. He added that FAIR would be hard-pressed to counter this campaign by educating the citizenry about the significance and long-term ramifications of the amnesty proposals. "If you listen to the discussion, you'd think that if amnesty were offered tomorrow, illegal immigration would no longer be a problem in the United States."

Another talking point Ray expects to hear from the White House is that the program will actually strengthen national security, because it will allow us to know exactly who all the illegal aliens are. Dismissing this claim as "hogwash," Ray asserted that it would take DHS at least a decade to do background checks on 13 million illegal aliens "whose identity we can't even substantiate."

It is clear that the Bush Administration, under the political guidance of Karl Rove, has walked the political tight rope of centrism on many issues, stealing thunder and political support from the Left while offering a softer, more "compassionate" conservatism. This form of triangulation, which was effective for Bill Clinton has worked to a lesser extent for George W. Bush, as he has positioned himself in the middle on such issues as education and Medicare. The current energy bill and ”Clean Forest Initiative” are other examples of Bush's running to the center. While these moves have alienated some of his base -- and have won him no points with the implacable Left -- it has gained Bush the support of many. In short, it's effective politics, but it's still politics as usual.

Instead of plugging the widening gap in our borders, these potential "undocumented" worker programs will open the floodgates of immigration further yet. And this amnesty proposal may backfire politically. Polling shows that a majority of Republicans, Democrats and independents all favor stricter enforcement of immigration laws, not laxer guidelines, and certainly not blanket amnesty. If President George W. Bush applies the force of the bully pulpit behind an ill-conceived amnesty program, the resulting security breach may cost Bush the election -- and the American people their security. That's a price they will not willingly pay in a post-9/11 world. In proposing any form of amnesty, President Bush is playing with fire.

Americans typically welcome immigrants.

There are some exceptions--the Irish & Chinese come to mind. Congress actually passed laws prohibiting Asians from entering the country in the mid-1800's. (I believe the Japanese were excluded from this prohibition.) Large numbers of Chinese immigrated/ were brought to this country as laborers on the trans-continental railroad. The Irish who immigrated during the years of the Potato Famine met a lot of resistance (partly because of their religion/ partly because they flooded the labor market) and concerted efforts were made to block them from jobs as in the No Irish Need Apply signs that hung in shopfront windows, etc.

IMO, waves of immigration meet significant resistance. But, at an individual level, I do think that most Americans welcome immigrants w/ the caveat that the immigrants must demonstrate that they want to assimilate into American society, learn our language and and adopt a national identity of being American w/ their cultural identity being secondary to that.

"Illegals ignore law. Republicans ignore law. Democrats ignore law. Courts ignore law. Bureaucrats ignore law. Yet Americans are expected to obey law.

The rule of law is ending. The rule of man is beginning. We are about to enter the age of chaos and unintended consequences."

Indeed! I fully agree. I predicted several years ago that within a few years we'd hear talk of us "needing to 'revamp' our Constitution." Well, that talk is starting to become reality. I'm sure there'll be motions to "draft a new one" within 10 years. Whether or not that happens, opening the door to discussing it almost assuredly means it will within a decade or two.

Funny too, the ones sentencing Americans for violating the laws are those who are breaking them. I do not even want to imagine standing before a liberal judge who knows you are conservative. \

This time period is indeed the time referred to as "great tribulation" in the scriptures. Many construe that to be more geo-political, but just as with most things in scripture, it's a figurative reference. I cannot imagine more trying times on a world wide level over the past 2,000 years. Morality is going down the crapper almost in exactly the same fashion as described in the days of Noah. There's a key hint, eh.

Anyhoo, it can get quite a bit more "tribulatory" I'm sure as we are being witnesses to. Right and wrong are growing to be interchangeable dependent upon the "political order of the day", morals are growing ever more challenged as both wrong and intolerant, of "lacking morals" I suppose.

Those who have no morals run roughshod over those who do and have no solid footing for anything that they do in life. Their decisions against those who do are nothing better than hate, disdain, or contempt for those people individually apart from any consistent basis of decision whatsoever. These are indeed the days, whether beginning of, middle, or end of, that Christ, Paul, and Peter spoke of to define a massive tribulatory period. There's no question about that.

Unfortunately, it's only a matter of time for this country to go the way of Europe and the rest of the UN-led world too. Just one liberal president every four or five terms "speeds the clock up" irreversably a good decade or two. This country simply cannot stand another round of "Klintonism" or other liberally guided "leadership." It simply cannot.

My guess is that there will be another "stay of execution" for this country for another 10-20 years before a largely uneducated or agendized mass pushes us over the top. I know things are partially turning around now, but these thigns always go in swings and that next swing will be in ten to twenty given the rate at which things move these days.

What used to be measured in the time of a decade in the latter half of the 20th century is now compacted into a few short years. Information moves at incredible speeds. Residents of the world are bathed in immorality from all sides these days. MTV/VH1 (aka soft porn on demand) has pervaded the world.

Many people have allowed themselves and their children to be turned into people behaving like animals who are driven by pure base instincts and taught to meet the immediate needs of those instincts and not to be inhibited by such things as morality, shame, guilt, moderation, logic, reason, sanity, consideration for others/love for others, and common sense.

It's a very sad state of affairs. Unfortunately, those are the biggest issues of the day and conservatives are losing the battle on those in spades. Thus the "turning of the ways" on them by "conservative" republicans these days. Conservatism is very rapidly becoming devoid of the same morals that have placed liberals where they are today. How much longer can the moral positions of only a few hold the line!

I just wonder why the President prefers Gray Davis' stance on this, to Arnie's?

Okey-dokey...point me to one source that shows Bush is for driver's licenses for illegals. You can't...there isn't one, the administration has not commented on the matricula, much less the license. First of all, driver's licenses are issued by the state, not the FedGov. The Homeland Security Office, The DoJ and the FBI are against the matricula, which can be used to get a driver's license, Treasury is the only one that approved of it. In fact the GOP are the ones who fighting this, the Dems say that not accepting the card is "anti-Hispanic". And according to a recent report:

The agency [Treasury Dept.] received nearly 24,000 letters and e-mails from the public after announcing in July that it would take a second look at which foreign documents can be used to verify a customer's identity. Almost 83 percent of the public comments favored no change in the rules.
Source

They asked for public comment, they got it...where were all the letters of opposition?

I'm referring to today. Today Americans are FAR more welcoming and acceptant of immigrants than ANY time in the past.

In the past, immigrants were always viewed solely as a source of cheap labor and resented as somehow second class human beings. From the Scots-Irish and Germans of the 1700's to the Italians, Eastern Europeans and Jews of the early 1900's all immigrant groups suffered from cruel oppression and exploitation.

Only most recently have American attitudes changed, perhaps because more Americans identify with recent ancestors who came here and were given the treatment by nativists.

"But, at an individual level, I do think that most Americans welcome immigrants w/ the caveat that the immigrants must demonstrate that they want to assimilate into American society, learn our language and and adopt a national identity of being American w/ their cultural identity being secondary to that."

True. On the other hand, it is normal for people who arrive in a new culture to gravitate towards other individuals who came from the same Country, share the same language, religion, customs, etc.

I think the difference between a lot of the earlier immigrants who came here, and some - but not all - of the newer ones is the earlier ones wanted to BE AMERICAN. If they couldn't speak ENglish themselves, they made sure their children learned it. They practised their own customs at home or in their local communities, but considered themselves Americans first and foremost - not Irish or Italian or Polish.

On the other hand, a lot of Hispanic Americans are decent, patriotic citizens who work long hours, frequently at several jobs. One of the first American soldiers killed in Iraq was an illegal alien from Honduras who walked all the way to America as a young child because he wanted to be American. Not all Hispanics - or even a large number of them, are part of the lunatic Aztlan group.

The key factor here is border control and enforcement of our immigration laws. Its especially important in light of the new threat from Islamic terrorists. The other factor is language. This bi-lingual crap has got to go or we will wind up like Canada - a Balkanized nation based on language.

"Indeed! I fully agree. I predicted several years ago that within a few years we'd hear talk of us "needing to 'revamp' our Constitution." Well, that talk is starting to become reality. I'm sure there'll be motions to "draft a new one" within 10 years. Whether or not that happens, opening the door to discussing it almost assuredly means it will within a decade or two."

This is indeed frightening.

The same moral and mental pygmies who are incapable of comprehending the significance of our Declaration of Independence, the concept of the basic of rights of man, Enlightenment thinking, or the thinking of the Founding Fathers in formulating the Bill of Rights and Federalist Papers are now contemplating "rewritting" the Constitution.

We don't need a new Constitution. The old one is fine.

We need Courts which will enforce the old one and legislators and executives with the testicular fortitude to IGNORE them when they don't.

"We don't need them. What we need is the U.S. military guarding our borders, and Courts which will put businesses that hire illegals OUT of business - PERMANENTLY."

Before we get that, we'll need judges that are not corrupt and agendized. That's the tougher battle IMO. Just look at the 9th Circus. I mean why even have them! All they are is an independently driven agendized court that completely ignores the laws of the land. Liberals support their lawless actions and words while everyone else is too busy in their "bread and circus" environment and don't want to be 'pestered' w/ petty partisan politics to do much about it.

I don't understand why come election time people don't just go out and campaign on the points that if you want things changed then "...here's who we need to vote OUT of office." All you hear is high level stuff but no finger pointing. Why not?! Let's point some fingers and tell people who are angry about certain things the reasons why that is. Tell them that it's the people they voted in last time, or years ago, who have done what they don't like and complain about.

Yet, that isn't done, or not nearly to the degree that it should be done.

MR. FLEISCHER: This is something that's very close to the President's heart. And this is where I think you've heard the President, as a Texan, someone who has seen some of the tragedies that have taken place on our borders, reflect on, because the President looks at this, he looks at it as a matter of values, of, as he puts it, a woman, a mother, who wants to feed a child and come to America for more opportunity. And we need to find a way to welcome people, to have opportunity in the United States. And, as he puts it, when a mother wants to feed a child, she's going to come, she's going to try to come into the United States and give her child a better life.

And that's why the President views the importance of improving relations with our allies, and our friends down in Central America and Latin America. That's such an important issue. This is why he was working so hard prior to September 11th to have a reform of our immigration laws. And it is a very sensitive and, I think, matter of compassion with the President.

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