Senate majority leader confident immigration reform will be approved

AP ^ | January 7, 2004

[sarcasm]

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist said Wednesday he was confident U.S. President George W. Bush's immigration reform legislation would be approved by Congress.

Bush called for a major overhaul of America's immigration system Wednesday. The proposal would grant temporary legal status to millions of undocumented workers in the United States.

[supercat]

Forgive me if I've missed something, but it seems to me that the reason companies hire illegal aliens is that they're willing to work 'off the books'. If illegal aliens had to be 'on the books' in order to stay here, there would be little incentive for companies to hire them.

While I find the notion of 'amnesty' to be outrageous, I find myself wondering if Bush and company are using "strategery" here. If there's a lawful and reasonable-seeming way for illegal aliens to make their existence in this country at least temporarily lawful, that may make it politically much more feasible to go after those who continue to be here illegally.

[richtig_faust]

Hatch and Ron paul have always been open border. so they're both idiots on one subject... Point?

[Diddle E. Squat]

Bush didn't come up with this policy in a vaccuum.

Exactly.

[Diddle E. Squat]

I sat out GHWB. I sat out Dole. I’ll sit out GWB.

So you are admitting, that in the votes that mattered the most, you did nothing to advance conservatism.

[deport]

Take a few minutes and read the transcript.....

President Bush Proposes New Temporary Worker Program [Transcript]

[Lady Eileen]

Outrageous.

[Diddle E. Squat]

Thanks for the quick link to the article.

[Lady Eileen]

Having seen anything from Tom DeLay on this, or know his position?

I wish he would use his hammer on those who refuse to enforce current immigration laws.

[Republic If You Can Keep It]

We don't have a guest worker program for unskilled labor, We need one

What are you talking about? Hundreds of thousands of legal aliens are here on working visas.

[GeronL]

Supporting moderates and moving the GOP to the left does not advance conservatism

[AAABEST]

I would expect such a comment from a Northeastern Neocon, not from a long time FReeper in a state where you can see clearly the disasterous affects of this unlawful exodus has on our society.

Sorry but you diminish yourself with the above nonsense post. This is just another example of how damaging it is having a liberal lead what once was "our" party. We're starting to piss each other off.

[dwilli]

Which of those three are conservative? (I voted for all three)

[RUSure]

Sure you get something in return... cheap food.

[Dog Gone]

Thanks for that link. Here's the part I find extremely attractive:

All who participate in the temporary worker program must have a job, or, if not living in the United States, a job offer. The legal status granted by this program will last three years and will be renewable -- but it will have an end. Participants who do not remain employed, who do not follow the rules of the program, or who break the law will not be eligible for continued participation and will be required to return to their home.

Under my proposal, employers have key responsibilities. Employers who extend job offers must first make every reasonable effort to find an American worker for the job at hand. Our government will develop a quick and simple system for employers to search for American workers. Employers must not hire undocumented aliens or temporary workers whose legal status has expired. They must report to the government the temporary workers they hire, and who leave their employ, so that we can keep track of people in the program, and better enforce immigration laws. There must be strong workplace enforcement with tough penalties for anyone, for any employer violating these laws.

I didn't see that in any of the news reports.

If we devise a system whereby the only way for a Mexican to get a job here is through legal means, illegal immigration would virtually stop. That's the key.

This isn't an immigration bill. It's a guest worker program that recognizes the reality that there are very few Americans applying to be hotel maids, agricultural labor, or other unskilled jobs in this country.

[KantianBurke]

and don't forget those nice new neighborhoods coming soon!

[judgeandjury]

He (Frist) added that concerns about "the dignity of the individual" would also spur action in Congress.

Frist should have said "the dignity of the lawbreaker".

[Diddle E. Squat]

All 3 were/are more conservative than Dukakis, Clinton, and Gore.

[goldstategop]

Hey Senator Frist, what about concern and compassion for American citizens? That seems to be the last thing on the U.S Senate's agenda. We Americans notice two things, sir: you reward yourself a stealth pay hike and then are poised to reward illegal aliens with a blank check, including social security transfer payments! Color me disgusted and I am not the only American offended by your lack of regard for those whom you all represent.

[RUSure]

I know a hell of a lot of American hotel maids. As far as farm workers... perhaps the working conditions need to improve to attract 'legal' labor.

[Diddle E. Squat]

Neither does Howard Dean.

BTW, my comments do not mean I support this plan, I am just speculating on what the strategy is behind it.