President Bush Proposes New Temporary Worker Program [Transcript]

The White House ^ | Jan 7, 2004 | President George W. Bush

[CalKat]

You don't think the current proposal qualifies as "a period during which offenders are exempt from punishment", or a "warrant granting release from punishment for an offense"?

[CaptBlack]

Then they are in their same boat as today; ineligible for government benefits, amnesty, blue cards, green cards, social security, as well as representing increased penalties to any employer who would hire them over one of their fellow illegals who did register.

I'm certainly no expert in this area, but I don't think the penalties that you mention today are actually being dealt to illegals today. That seems to be the crux of the problem to me. Just this morning I heard that there are already States that are required by law to provide a number of "basic services" to illegal aliens.

Also, what if illegals opt to ignore this new initiative altogether and continue the status quo? What does this new program do to reduce the number of illegal aliens already here?

I totally understand that up to 8 million souls are involved in this issue and dealing with them is no walk in the park, but at the same rate, it makes me uneasy that the proposal leans more on the "let them in" side, than it does the "we've got to protect our borders post 9/11" side.

[sarcasm]

This?

[Beck_isright]

" It recognizes reality, does not reward illegal behavior and has political side benefits."

It does not reward illegal behavior? You have got to be kidding me. They broke the law to get here and now they get Social Security benefits which they never paid into because their employers were able to pay them under the table. I just can not believe what I have read on this formerly conservative forum. The RINO's have taken over. Michael Savage is correct. The pubbies will have to lose power to learn the lesson they need. I guess we'll all have to get used to the phrase "President Dean".

[Southack]

"She says her group believes President Bush's plan will result in an increase in the number of undocumented aliens. Why? Because at the end of three years, instead of going home they'll go underground again. She says Bush is going to have to go ahead and allow them to get full citizenship or we'll have a bigger problem on our hands."

She wishes. Ain't gonna happen. They register. They pay their fine for being here illegally. They have to keep their job and pay taxes here for three years, and then they have to go home and apply for re-entry here.

[shrinkermd]

Imagine, there are 8-15 million illegal aliens working in the US. Now all the political Tarzans want us to simply kick them all out.

This would be equivalent to deporting all the citizens of Minnesota (about 5 million), Iowa (about 3 million) as well as North Dakota (634,00) and South Dakota (652,000). This will not happen!

It is virtually impossible to identify and deport 8-15 million men, women and children. The President's proposal seems modest to me, but it could be improved by a tough proposal to tighten border security. The President is just not going to let this slide like his predecessors. Bully for the President!

[CalKat]

Can you show me where in the President's speech a fine was mentioned? All I saw was reference to a fee for those illegals already in the US who wish to apply for a blue card.

[Age of Reason]

I finally found time to read the speech (instead of being too busy arguing here with pro-immigration crazies).

What do you think of my thoughts in my post, post number 142 on this thread here (especially the second part of my post):

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1053502/posts?page=142#142

Perhaps there's more to Bush's idea than meets the eye: Might it be a very clever and good idea--all things considered?

Thoughts?

[CalKat]

You have to be registered with the government to get a green card as well. I don't see your point.

[Main Street]

[Owen]

Folks, There are a lot of Democrat sympathizers here. It is well known nationwide that freerepublic has a significant voice in defining GOP activism. They know they cannot win in November if we marshall forces as we did in 2000.

A few weeks ago there was a brief surge of hope when the head of the 2001 commission erred in a quote that suggested he was going to blame people in the administration for 9/11. The Democrats surged with joy. It offered them their only chance -- because 9/11 defines life in America now and for the forseeable future, and America finds the Democrats too soft to trust to defend the country. The next day, the quote was retracted and the Democrats were devastated.

There has been desperate talk by them of late about creating a right wing Nader situation. Much of this has focused on excessive federal spending and now immigration. It is their only hope. They have to do this.

You can let them succeed, or not. There is too much federal spending. Bush will be better at either reining it in or spending it more on acceptable things than on midnight basketball. There is too much illegal immigration, but there would be more if a Democrat were in charge, and he'd orchestrate it to emphasize immigrants with parasitic liberal leanings. Bush's plan rewards only those who work.

[Pubbie]

As long as they don't become citizens (Who will vote Democrat), I'm much more relaxed about this.

They can still get Green Cards, but that could take decades for them to receive one due to the massive BackLogs.

[Beck_isright]

"What this law will do is make the rules clear and anyone violating it will be punished. There will be no "Everyone has been doing this for decades and never punished"

For the last 10 years an estimated 30 to 40 million U.S. citizens have not filed their income taxes. Last time I checked there were not 30 to 40 million U.S. citizens in jail. So much for your theory.

[McGavin999]

They will be able to do it because 3/4th will have applied for legal worker's permit and removed themselves from the problem. Those who are left will be easy to identify.

[McGavin999]

The 30 or 40 million are not potential terrorists. THAT is the difference.

[Southack]

"Areed. W is on his way to becoming a ONE TERMER just like his daddy."

That's delusional. Bush won election in 2000 with 48% of the popular vote, carrying 31 states and 271 electoral votes. In 2004, he has 60% popular support and a 5% or more lead in some 38 states.

In other words, you are bashing your head up against a wall if you are opposing Bush. He wins in a landslide in 2004, and those who claimed otherwise will look like fools.

[Beck_isright]

"The 30 or 40 million are not potential terrorists. THAT is the difference."

So if the 8 to 12 million are potential terrorists why are we not using every available method to arrest and check every one of them? You just stubbed your own toe on your own points. These illegals do not belong here. W just invited 10-13 million more into the U.S. Enjoy watching your neighbors die in an AQ attack.

[Southack]

"Also, what if illegals opt to ignore this new initiative altogether and continue the status quo? What does this new program do to reduce the number of illegal aliens already here?"

This program creates competition between those illegals who accept this plea bargain by paying their fine and registering with the government versus those who choose to try to remain employed here illegally.

Employers running even marginally serious businesses are going to opt for the legal blue card worker 4 out of every 5 times over the illegal worker, especially with increased fines and jail terms for those who continue to employ illegals.

Thus, there is a carrot/reward for those illegals who register, and there is a punishment/stick for those who continue to do business without registering. This creates incentives from all angles to pay the fine and register for the blue card.

Then, if they don't commit any felonies and manage to likewise remain employed, they get to stay here for 3 more years before returning to their home countries (where they would be able to apply for legal re-entry).

[Beck_isright]

"The amnesty given by President Reagan lead to million of new US citizens.

And may I add new voters!"

And after he left office, he admitted he regretted doing it.

[McGavin999]

why are we not using every available method to arrest and check every one of them?

What do you think this guest worker permit is all about?