Bush To Propose Immigration Law Changes

AP | 01-05-04 | AP

[Pubbie]

[Moderator's note: threads regarding immigration issues and border issues have been spiralling out of control for some time on Free Republic. This is going to change. Fair warning: this would be a very poor thread to engage in flame warring, flame baiting, or otherwise being needlessly instigative. If you have not yet read this thread, you may want to before engaging in the debate on this or other similar threads. If there are any questions regarding the new scrutiny of these threads, please take them to that thread rather than cluttering up these threads. So far, people have been very cooperative with this effort, and for that I am grateful. Thanks, and happy Freeping.]

President Bush will propose immigration law changes to allow workers from Mexico to enter the United States if they have jobs waiting for them, officials said Monday in previewing an election-year measure intended to bolster support among Hispanic voters.

Advocacy groups were invited to the White House on Wednesday to hear details of the program.

"The president has long talked about the importance of having an immigration policy that matches willing workers with willing employers," White House press secretary Scott McClellan said. "It's important for America to be a welcoming society. We are a nation of immigrants, and we're better for it."

Immigration advocacy groups characterized Bush's move as a politically drawn effort to curry favor with Hispanics, a potent political force, particularly in key states like Florida, California and border states. Two sources speaking on condition of anonymity said Bush would outline a set of principles rather than a detailed piece of legislation, and that the policy statement would draw on bills already pending in Congress.

"It looks very much like a political effort and what they do with these `principles' is going to determine whether this is really a policy initiative or not," said Cecilia Munoz, vice president for policy at the National Council of La Raza. "The Latino community knows the difference between political posturing and a real policy debate."

She said the initiative was crafted by Bush's political strategist, Karl Rove, and that the immigration policy community was excluded from the deliberations.

"We know of no one in the immigration policy community, business groups or Latino groups who has been consulted," she said.

[Lead Moderator]

Yeah, breeding? I hope that I don't see that sort of line again.

[Lead Moderator]

"You add nothing by being a clown."

Missed a personal attack free post by that much.

[Lead Moderator]

"Cute picture, wench."

Boy, you know, when I went to bed last night, I felt pretty good about the way things had gone on these threads yesterday.

I woke up in a great mood, and now that's been blown away.

Did you miss the warning that is always there about no personal attacks?

Did you miss the thread I put up yesterday? Or the warning at the top of this thread that includes the link to that thread?

The nonsense is going to stop.

[4Freedom]

If American citizens don't want to pick chilis at $5.15 an hour, raise the wages.

According to the Center for Immigration Studies, the wages of agricultural workers amount to just 2% of the retail cost of fruits and vegetables.

For instance, lettuce pickers would have to be paid $260 per hour in order for lettuce to cost even $5 per head.

If they start paying lettuce pickers $250 per hour, people with bad backs that are now collecting SSI will suddenly be miraculously cured.

LOL!

[raybbr]

Mexico is seeking a measure of legality for the approximately 4 million undocumented Mexicans living in the United States and wants a legal way for others to work in the country in the future.

This is what burns me up about this proposal. It's all about mexicans and hispanics. No other group is included in this. Pretty soon our primary language will change to spanish because of this pandering.

[AzJohn]

This is what burns me up about this proposal. It's all about mexicans and hispanics.

The Social Security part of this concerns only Mexico because such agreements get negotiated one country at a time. We already have such agreements with several other countries. Admittedly, the agreement with Mexico raises concerns that are only of minor importance with these other countries.

As for the immigration proposal, the AP story perhaps has sloppy writing or is just plain wrong. The LA Times version of this same story (which I linked in #131 on this thread) does not describe the immigration part of this as being limited to Mexico. But we'll find out soon enough what the actual proposal is.

[hchutch]

Well, you seem to have no problem with their comments. I consider it fair to point out who you refuse to disassociate yourself with.

Tha's not fallacy.

[FITZ]

That's usually how wages get raised and benefits given. When there is a competition for employees. Constant importing of the cheapest laborers would made such a great pool of people who could not reach middle class by working hard --- that's against the tradition of this country and more like the tradition of their own.

[4Freedom]

"We already have such agreements with several other countries."

We should be getting rid of those, not creating another one with Mexico.

[hchutch]

My position on what you call amnesty is not much different from that of the Wall Street Journal.

Then again, you'd probably any disagreement from your 18-point plan as Amnesty.

[Bikers4Bush]

Hasn't this basically been a standard all along? Can't a company sponsor an individual through employment and get them a work visa?

This does NOTHING to address the hordes that are crossing the southern border, and I'm not just talking about the mexicans that border is a safe haven for any illegal from any country looking to cross.

[JustPiper]

ProBush has come up with a very effective idea of registering as an Independent in March, combined with-the grassroots movement of Writing in who would be 'our' choice,Congressman Tom Tancredo of Colorado. We need to get tough Freeper's!

[junta]

bump

[airborne]

I am a 42 year old disabled veteran, 100% service connected paraplegic, retired from the 82nd, Co. C 2/504(ABN)(INF), where I served as an infantry squad leader. Currently raising two boys (14 & 18) by myself. I am captain of an air rifle team (all disabled vets) who compete nationally. In three years of competing in the National Veterans Wheelchair Games I've won 10 medals (5 gold, 1 silver, 4 bronze) representing the Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association. I've been a Boy Scout leader for 12 years in my sons Troop 431, Ft. indiantown Gap, PA.

So you tell me, do I qualify?

[riri]

Plus Australia doesn't have 500 million people south of their border living in poverty and willing to do anything to get to their country

No, but they are surrounded by over-crowded, many times poor Asian countries who would love the lebensraum.

[riri]

Pretty soon our primary language will change to spanish because of this pandering

Exactly. Why can't anyone grasp this. They are asking us to accept that 40-50% of our population be of one other nationality. That's cultural suicide.

[riri]

This does NOTHING to address the hordes that are crossing the southern border, and I'm not just talking about the mexicans that border is a safe haven for any illegal from any country looking to cross

I think so to. And think about it. If Jose is here willing to work legally taking say a previously $8.00 an hour job away from a American and doing it for $5.00 an hour. Well, Guermillo comes along and he is willing to do the same job for $4.00 an hour under the table, no taxes, no FICA, no health, no anything. Legal Mexican worker and American worker lose out to the the illegal. Where does this insanity end?

[JackelopeBreeder]

You're right. That was a combination of bad judgement and bad taste on my part.

My apologies to both of you and I'll let you know how the crow tastes after it comes out of the oven.

[Sabertooth]

My position on what you call amnesty is not much different from that of the Wall Street Journal.

The WSJ editorial board is prone to open-borders zealotry

Then again, you'd probably any disagreement from your 18-point plan as Amnesty.

Then again, no.

I define Amnesty as legalizing Illegals.

Then again, your strawman deflection here is moot anyway, since you've said you favor Amnesty, in so many words.

I believe those who have a job and who have committed no crimes other than entering illegally ought to be allowed to remain and tracked into either a bracero program or permanent residence that should not displace those currently going through the process. They should be required to develop proficiency in the English language, and English ought to be the official language of the United States.

I'm on record as favoring deportation of criminals, those caught entering with drugs, those who have gone on welfare, or who are believers in Aztlan.

I'm open as to the time period for which a partial amnesty would be in effect, and as to the specific details, but I do not think there should be a "deport `em all" policy. Those who have been employed, who are working hard and busting their butts to make it here, ought to be allowed to remain, and go legit.
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