Republican Lawmakers Won’t Back Bush on Immigration

CNSNews.com ^ | 1/26/2004 | Susan Jones

[yoe]

Republican lawmakers who generally back President Bush are not backing him on immigration. In fact, they want their leaders to know they have "serious concerns" about President Bush's proposed immigration policy.

In a letter addressed to House Speaker Dennis Hastert, Rep. Walter Jones (R-N.C.) and several other members of the Congressional Immigration Reform Caucus said they won't go along with the president's plan because it "does not address the problem appropriately."

"In fact, in our view, it will further exacerbate the problem and create discontent amongst the Republican Party," the letter said.

Jones, in a press release, said he and other lawmakers would consider alternative guest-worker legislation, as long as it does not reward lawbreakers with amnesty.

Although President Bush insists his proposal does not include amnesty, Jones said he thinks it does - because it would make illegal aliens who work in the U.S. for a number of years eligible for legal status and citizenship. That is de facto amnesty, Jones and the other lawmakers said in their letter.

"Since the President's speech, our offices have been inundated with calls from dismayed constituents expressing vehement opposition to the Administration's proposal," the "Dear Mr. Speaker" letter said.

"If we do not listen to our constituents on this matter, our influence and effectiveness in Congress could be jeopardized. Simply put, we cannot continue to allow our immigration laws to be violated and ignored -- and illegal aliens are by definition criminals."

According to the letter, President Bush's immigration proposal has left many conservatives "dismayed, angry and confused."

"Mr. Speaker, it is our hope that you will recognize the problems the Administration's proposal has created for our constituents," the letter says.

It notes that "respect for the rule of law is a core conservative value," and it urges the Republican leadership in the House to find a solution to America's immigration problem "that is more in line with the principles of our Party and our national traditions."

Earlier this month, President Bush proposed a new "temporary worker program" that would offer temporary legal status to millions of undocumented workers who have jobs in the U.S.

Bush said his program would "match willing foreign workers with willing American employers when no Americans can be found to fill the jobs."

Temporary workers would be expected to return permanently to their countries after their work stint in the United States has expired. Temporary workers wishing to seek American citizenship would be allowed to apply in the normal way, according to the president's plan.

"They will not be given unfair advantage over people who have followed legal procedures from the start. I oppose amnesty, placing undocumented workers on the automatic path to citizenship," Bush said.

"America is a welcoming country, but citizenship must not be the automatic reward for violating the laws of America," Bush added.

Bush's proposal drew immediate criticism from conservatives, who see it as a threat to national security and an affront to the rule of law.

[afropick]

I guess that since Pres Bush wont be reelected from reading some of these posts, does anyone knows where I can get some terrorism insurance. Also, me and others that serve in the military would like to know is those powder blue UN helmets we are going to wear are fashionable.

[Barnacle]

Bump

[harpo11]

Well, I guess that I can safely surmise that the all wise and knowing Uncle Sam is really telling us that there are some laws he is over eager to enforce, like if you forget to wear your seat belt.

And other laws that he would rather ignore,like illegal aliens entering our borders.

And some other laws applied depending on who you are or what you say, like what's happening to Rush Limbaugh.

Thank God we have some sanity in our Republican lead Congress when it comes to illegal aliens and President Bush's proposal.

[B4Ranch]

"one must walk a mile in their shoes to get a molecule of compassion for their struggle. "

Polly, 9/10ths of the world is in worse shape than we are. Do the American taxpayers owe these other people the same as you are wishing for your husband? A good job that pays a living wage where he'll be able to provide for his family?

If we do owe this to your husband and the rest of the worlds poor people, why do we owe it to them? Because we we fortunate enough to be born in a country of hard working people, the Pilgrims, who revolted against their own government and designed a new one that allows for success of the average citizen who will work and save?

[altair]

About 10 thousand, combined with shutting off the benifits to non-citizens would get the message across.

Hello? We already tried voting for that in California and although we passed it by a huge majority it was still thrown out by liberal judicial scum.

There will be amnesty. Shut up and enjoy it.

[Marine Inspector]

I believe that Bush's address was thought over more than what people have given him credit for.

I don’t. Will this proposal stop illegal immigration? No, and it won’t even slow it down.

Will this proposal effect terrorism? No, not in any way.

So, if this proposal won’t do those two things, why are we doing it?

All this will do is increase illegal immigration and take more jobs away from Americans.

Marine Inspector

[sarasmom]

Choose.
Are you a member of the DOD of the USA, or the UN's New World Order?
Dont act like this is a "choice" and you have absolutely no idea in how to honor your sworn oath, or that you are not able to decide between right and wrong.The UCMJ spells it all out for you.
Read it again.
Dont pretend to be active duty.
If you actually are DOD, get out, now.
You are not qualified to bear arms in defense of this country.

[Marine Inspector]

I guess that since Pres Bush wont be reelected from reading some of these posts, does anyone knows where I can get some terrorism insurance.

You’ll need it, regardless of the outcome of the election. Bush left the back door wide open and the terrorist are using it.

Marine Inspector

[altair]

So, what's up with that?

I agree with your analysis of the present situation. I also think that we do not have the political balls to deport any significant fraction of the illegals already here. We've tried (in California) voting to prohibit illegals from obtaining government benefits and that didn't work.

I don't see any good in what the President is doing.

[Marine Inspector]

You are not qualified to bear arms in defense of this country.

That’s going to leave a mark.

Marine Inspector

[BureaucratusMaximus]

"Tom "Harder Vincente Harder" Ridge"

ROTFLMAO!

That comment, coupled with your screename...its classic.

[altair]

I'm going to check and see how many of the "compassionate conservatives" supporting Bush's amnesty on this forum are from states like California inundated by illegals. I suspect there're not many of them.

Bump.

[sarasmom]

Good!
I am sick and tired of "compassionate" pseudo soldiers.
Nobody hates war more than those who have to actually wage it.
And it seems to be needfull that those who volunteered to serve the DOD remember exactly what they have sworn to do.
I am not convinced the previous poster has ever graduated from any type of basic training in any military branch of the DOD.

[Marine Inspector]

I'm about as familiar with the INS as any civilian can possibly be, and I call it the INS because I don't even want to know what they're calling it these days.

In general terms, it is now DHS (Department of Homeland Security).

To be specific about the 3 aspects of immigration, they are as follows:

1. Customs and Border Protection. We cover the Ports of Entry and the space in between them. The Border Patrol is part of CBP.

2. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. They are the Criminal Investigators, Deportation Officers and Detention Officers. They cover the interior of the US as well as the detention and removal of criminal aliens.

3. Citizenship and Immigration Services. These are the service paper pushers.

Marine Inspector

[rwfromkansas]

I was not aware of this part; did not see it in any news articles about the proposal after he announced it.

If true, I am opposed to it now.

[afropick]

I serve to fight for this country and this country alone. My only point is that with democrats running the White House I feel that they are more than willing to give up our sovergnity to the UN. I fully understand the responsibilties with the choice I have to make. Joining the military was the best thing I ever done in my relatively short 28 years. However and watching what Clinton done yanking us to every single spot around the world as renta cops, I am glad we have a President who does not yield to world opinion. But because of one or two issues, people are willing to throw all what has been done in the last two years back to the dems. Sorry, but I am not ready for that.

[afropick]

Oh yeah, disagree with my opinion. I can deal with that, but dont play games and question whether I serve or not. I know there are others who do more dangerous things than I can ever imagine. Im just a little old aircraft electrician giving my viewpoint.

[lainde]

bttt

[afropick]

But back to the topic at hand, this cannot be solely the fault of Pres Bush. You have 4 border states that two of are led by democrat gov. Even if the President could try to deport some or all of the illegals, I would bet any money that those 2 governors would be running to the courts, complaining of some false violations. Also, many cities and other local governments have consistently refused to turn over illegals to the INS, so this more than just a failure of the executive branch of the government.

[wardaddy]

save massive amounts of bandwidth on Free Republic.

LOL