President's Temporary Worker Program Angers Arizona's Conservatives

The Arizona Conservative ^ | 8 January 2004 | Dennis Durband

[Spiff]

President's Temporary Worker Program Angers Arizona's Conservatives

By Dennis Durband, Editor

 

President Bush has angered conservatives in Arizona and seriously damaged his chances for re-election by introducing on Wednesday a Temporary Worker Program for illegal aliens. The president went before the nation Wednesday for a nationally-televised address on immigration reform.

Arizona conservatives are roundly condemning the president's actions and claiming a disconnect between the White House/Republican Party leadership and the GOP's conservative base.

The Temporary Worker Program

The president said: "For the first time in our history, we have consolidated all border agencies under one roof to make sure they share information and the work is more effective. We're matching all visa applicants against an expanded screening list to identify terrorists and criminals and immigration violators. This month, we have begun using advanced technology to better record and track aliens who enter our country -- and to make sure they leave as scheduled. We have deployed new gamma and x-ray systems to scan cargo and containers and shipments at ports of entry to America. We have significantly expanded the Border Patrol -- with more than a thousand new agents on the borders, and 40 percent greater funding over the last two years. We're working closely with the Canadian and Mexican governments to increase border security. America is acting on a basic belief: our borders should be open to legal travel and honest trade; our borders should be shut and barred tight to criminals, to drug traders, to drug traffickers and to criminals, and to terrorists.

Bush said new immigration laws "should serve the economic needs of our country. If an American employer is offering a job that American citizens are not willing to take, we ought to welcome into our country a person who will fill that job." New laws should provide incentives for temporary, foreign workers to return permanently to their home countries after their period of work in the United States has expired, the president said.

"Today, I ask the Congress to join me in passing new immigration laws that reflect these principles, that meet America's economic needs, and live up to our highest ideals.I propose a new temporary worker program that will match willing foreign workers with willing American employers, when no Americans can be found to fill the jobs. This program will offer legal status, as temporary workers, to the millions of undocumented men and women now employed in the United States, and to those in foreign countries who seek to participate in the program and have been offered employment here. This new system should be clear and efficient, so employers are able to find workers quickly and simply."

The Bush program requires participants to 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 won't 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.

Pres. Bush said, "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."

Undocumented workers in the U.S. now will have to pay a one-time fee to register for the temporary worker program. Those joining the program from abroad and who have complied with U.S. immigration laws will not pay a fee. All participants will receive a temporary worker card that will allow them to travel back and forth between their home and the United States without fear of being denied re-entry into the U.S.

Temporary workers are supposed to return permanently to their home countries after their period of work in the United States has expired. Bush said he'll work with foreign governments on a plan to give temporary workers credit when they enter their own nation's retirement system. "I also support making it easier for temporary workers to contribute a portion of their earnings to tax-preferred savings accounts, money they can collect as they return to their native countries," he said.

Arizona Congressman Jeff Flake, who along with Arizona Congressman Jim Kole and Arizona Sen. John McCain, has co-sponsored a highly controversial guest worker bill, was one of three congressmen singled out Wednesday by the president. The others were Utah Congressman Chris Cannon and Idaho Sen. Larry Craig.

Arizona Reactions
 

Three regional coordinators for the Protect Arizona Now (PAN) ballot initiative criticized the president's plan.

 

Iris Lynch, PAN coordinator for Southern Arizona, said: "There seems no doubt that American citizens are fully aware this day where they stand in the estimation of their President. Since when is it the policy of our country to put the wants and needs of foreign powers before the needs of the citizens of the United States? It is the American taxpaying citizen who supplies the dollars to keep the government engine alive. As of today, all citizens will want to rethink the benefits being heaped on non-citizens at their expense to the detriment of our nation and its legacy."

 

Ron Gould, PAN coordinator for Mohave County, said, "I am upset that President Bush would hold his supporters hostage, knowing that we will not vote for a Democrat candidate. He thinks that he is pandering to Hispanic voters, but I believe that Americans of Hispanic heritage agree that illegal immigration is a problem. I hope that the votes he picks up will replace the ones he will lose with this stunt."

 

Russ Dove, the PAN coordinator for Greater Tucson, also disapproves of the president's plan.

 

"Now my President wants me to be happy living with a class of people who know nothing of my heritage, speak another language, are here in violation of the law, and are now going to be rewarded for breaking the law. I'm really supposed to believe that they will become law abiding citizens. Human nature says it is just not going to happen!  I am not happy with the value that President Bush and the current local, county, state and federal administrations place on my USA citizenship. The people in question are here by some other way then the legal way they are in violation of the law, and if what President Bush said today is the new system, he is giving them amnesty."

Dove said that from the beginning of U.S. history to a period beginning about 25 years ago, immigrants came to this country and earned their citizenship after learning our language, our history and our laws. "It was then that history shows immigrants were major contributors to our great nation," he said. "Those immigrants who are here illegally today do nothing but devalue the citizenship of those who paid the price."

A longtime Republican Party precinct committeeman, Carol Turoff, said she received calls Wednesday from staunch Republicans saying they planned to sit out the 2004 presidential election. This could seriously hurt Bush's chances of winning the state and its eight electoral votes.

"If these people are 'guests' we need to hide the silverware," Turoff said, referring to the fact that illegal aliens are lawbreakers, no different from burglars illegally entering our homes.

"This is a disaster," Turoff said. "If anything, our porous borders need strengthening. Guest worker programs are another way of defining amnesty. What incentive is there for the law abiding immigrants, who patiently go through each step of the process of citizenship, when those here illegally are rewarded. It certainly sends the wrong message.

 

"To my mind, this administration program is ill-advised and absurd. Flagrant disregard of the laws of our land deserve punishment, not rewards. I have never been so angry at a Republican President. I am a life-long, active, conservative Republican and he is so far out of sync with me as to alienate me."

 
Tancredo Predicts Program Will Fail

 

The president is guaranteed to run into congressional resistance. Arizona congressman J.D. Hayworth is one of nearly three dozen congressmen signing a recent letter of opposition to the president. Hayworth is a member of the Immigration Reform Caucus,  currently reviewing immigration policy. And the president's administration is vigorously opposing at least one congressman who insists on strict border controls.

Karl Rove, senior advisor to the president, is actively seeking a challenger to oppose Colorado Republican Cong. Tom Tancredo in the Nov. election. Tancredo won re-election with 70-percent support in 2002 and is being encouraged by many conservatives to run for president. Tancredo, who has been called the congressman after southern Arizona's own heart for his insistence on border control, will address the Arizona Republican Assembly Jan. 17 at 9:45 a.m. at Scottsdale Civic Center Library Auditorium (3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd, Scottsdale). His speech is titled, "Immigration Reform: Securing Jobs and the Benefits of Citizenship." To RSVP for the Tancredo speech, contact Gene Reed (602) 274-9674 or Barbara Blewster (928) 632-1163.

 

Rep. Tancredo told the Associated Press Wednesday that Bush's "dangerous and unworkable" proposals will be rejected by Congress. "Neither Mexicans nor anyone else will go through the hassle and paperwork of seeking legal jobs as long as the border is porous and employers can ignore the laws with impunity," he said.

 

A congressional defeat of the president's Temporary Worker Program may be the only thing that will prevent many Arizona conservatives from sitting out the 2004 presidential election. 

[Spiff]

Looks like Bush has stirred up a hornets nest with his IDIOTIC proposals. I hope he and Karl Rove get the message. We don't want this crap!!!

[Spiff]

ping

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[KantianBurke]

A pissed off conservative base + an energized Demorat Dean campaign ='s Bush spending alot more time at his Midland ranch come 2005.

[Pest]

President Bush has angered conservatives in Arizona and seriously damaged his chances for re-election by introducing on Wednesday a Temporary Worker Program for illegal aliens.

So who are conservatives going to vote for instead of Bush? Even if it does anger conservatives, I'd be willing to bet it doesn't hurt his chances of winning. In fact, I'd bet that it increases his chances of getting more moderate voters.

I don't think it's good policy, but I also don't think it's bad politics.

[gubamyster]

ping

[KantianBurke]

There might be a straw coming that'll break the conservative camel back permanently:

Sunset's coming...or is it Mr President?

[SAMWolf]

Conservatives get dumped on again, Bump

[SolutionsOnly]

***"I don't think it's good policy, but I also don't think it's bad politics."***

That's the short term perspective. For the long run, good policy equates to good politics. The disarray of the Democratic Party is in large part a cummulative result of pandering for short term advantage.

[Captain Kirk]

They know that conservatives can be taken for granted and that when the election comes they will vote "the right way." Hence, contrary to your statement, Rove has no reason to care.

[King Black Robe]

It is the American taxpaying citizen who supplies the dollars to keep the government engine alive. As of today, all citizens will want to rethink the benefits being heaped on non-citizens at their expense to the detriment of our nation and its legacy."

That's my major complaint. Bush is not acknowledging the real cost of this "compasssion." If our goal is to help these families, we could do it cheaper in their own country. But really, that isn't our goal. The real point is to find a sneaky way to give tax dollars to certain businesses. Worker for worker, we the taxpayer pay out more than the company.

[Captain Kirk]

Straw that breaks the camel's back? Forget it. Since 9-11, conservatives have been in Bush's hip pocket and he knows it.

[texastoo]

This conservative will be looking for a conservative candidate. Can you suggest one?

[ravingnutter]

Karl Rove, senior advisor to the president, is actively seeking a challenger to oppose Colorado Republican Cong. Tom Tancredo in the Nov. election.

I don't believe this, where are they getting their info?

Also, I can't believe so many people have forgotten a basic fact that I learned in elementary school...the President does not make law, Congress does! Bush's plan will be in the cross-cut shredder the minute it hits Congress. There are currently two bills being considered, one in the Senate and one in the House:

House Version Sponsored by Tom Tancredo of CO

Senate Version Sponsored by John Cornyn of TX

Tancredo's plan puts the military on the border until we can train enough border patrol, increases the border patrol and detention centers, ends the "anchor child" problem, increases penalties and bonds and much more. We need to forget about Bush's plan and get on the Tancredo bandwagon by writing our Congress-critters!

[hsmomx3]

I got a call from the RNC yesterday asking me if I wanted to donate $$$. I told him no, and that I was furious with this illegal proposal. He said that a lot of people have voiced their anger over this.

[hsmomx3]

Rove sounds like a snake. I hope and pray Tancredo wins the next election in a landslide.

[Pest]

At this point, I think it would have to be a pretty big straw. Personally, I think the weapons ban may do it. Especially since the NRA was instrumental in getting GW elected in 2000.

Maybe I'm wrong though. I think GW has garnered a lot of moderate support over the last 3 years.

Does GW really need the hard-core conservative vote to win the election?

[Pest]

That's the short term perspective. For the long run, good policy equates to good politics.

I agree. However, Bush is only concerned with the next 10 months right now. He can concentrate on the long term after he is elected. I'm not saying it's right, but it's the way the game is played. I think most Americans are generally happy with the status quo. They will only mobilize if something major happens. I think BJ Clinton mobilized a huge number of people to vote Republican. We even saw the effect in the 2002 elections. However, I think Bush's job as President had a huge impact on that also.

[MissAmericanPie]

The way he's going he may not carry Texas and certainly shouldn't.

[Pest]

the President does not make law, Congress does!

Exactly. The Pres. can safely send out a proposal like this knowing that it will get shot down. This way he looks like the hero on one hand and doesn't get blamed for bad policy on the other.