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.

[Faithfull]

Sadly...I agree with you regarding the Republican's short memory. The immigration issue could have and should have been a winning issue for conservatives IF they handled it well, which of course they did not. Even the moderates and liberals I know agree that our borders should be closed and a new policy implemented. IF you want to see reality- watch a few episodes of Cops and count the illegal aliens and the crimes they commit. Talk to any local hospital and ask why they are going broke- two family members who handle hospital financing shared with me the number one cost is the illegal aliens using the hospital doctors as their primary physicians. etc..etc.. just sickening !
Our ONLY hope is that Republican lawmakers receive a swell of faxes and emails that scare them. I hope all at FR make their voices heard where it counts!

[agitator]

See here:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1065381/posts

[jimt]

But, some are more interested in winning the "Lonliest Conservative" award...

And some are interested in whether there's a nickel's worth of difference between "compassionate conservatism" and out-and-out socialism.

There sure is no compassion for the taxpayer, but apparently plenty for tax consumers and big business.

Bush is conservative in very few ways.

[motzman]

And some are interested in whether there's a nickel's worth of difference between "compassionate conservatism" and out-and-out socialism.

Huge difference. Stop fooling yourself (with all due respect).

[Tauzero]

If you give to every deserving cause, you'll soon be one yourself.

[Constitution Day]

Walter Jones of NC Bump!!!!

BTTT!!!

[StoneColdGOP]

Screw Karl Rove.

Is there a list of the Republicans who signed this letter?

They ought to get "thank-yous", and contributions, because ol' Rove will probably try to recruit challengers to them for daring to defy Bush's will.

[faithincowboys]

I think Karl Rove's strategery single-handedly cost Dean the nomination. Once the Left noticed the disquiet on the right over immigration-- they destroyed Dean and built up Kerry. The division in the ranks gave the Dems hope that they could win-- Karl isn't as bright as he imagines.

[ZULU]

I think ROVE is the weasel behind this monstrosity.

[tickles]

start by letting employers enquire about citizenship status when the irs contacts them regarding the ss no. that an employee is using. and let them contact the INS.

also require proof of residency, I had get SS nos for my kids so i could prove they exsisted to the IRS for tax perposes. (I'd also require photo ID's for voting, if you're to darn lazy to wander to the liecense bureau to get a legal photo ID you're to darn lazy to vote, oh and voter registration should not be done through a liecense renewal)

but most importantly start FINING the employers who are breaking the law knowingly NOW. make it hurt for them and they'll hopefully think twice about their cheap labor. If these people truely have no documentation they can't prove who they are for welfare so they shouldn't get that either.

And yeah i have enough compassion to feel sorry for them but the disabled person in my life is more deserving of any money i'm forced to pay into the system then someone who came here by BREAKING the law. And unfortunately with the pressure put on programs by illegals who can't speak english (interpeters aren't free) the US citizens in true need have a hard time getting the help they actually need.

[_Jim]

Your usual misinformed spin. (Originally addressed to sinkspur)

- 78% of those polled support mandatory detention and forfeiture of property, followed by deportation for anyone here illegally.

- 69% of those polled support a mandatory prison term and forfeiture of property, followed by deportation, for anyone here illegally.

RoperASW Poll, March 2003

Americans Talk About Illegal Immigration

RoperASW Poll, March 2003
Prepared for Negative Population Growth

Following are the highlights of the findings of a nationally representative survey of 1,012 American adults (18+) who live in the continental United States. All sample was drawn randomly from an RDD (random digit dialing) list. For more details or to read the full report, click here.

Ah ha.

WERE these folks HONEST enough to

a) post the questions posed to the people they polled?

b) DO they detail the questions in the order actually asked?

c) ARE there any recordings of a typical poll-call?

WHAT I'm getting at is - was this conducted in the vein of a "push-poll"?

[txdoda]

Your comments do not solve any problems. They just generate more hate. >>>>>>

MY comments ??

Care to address any of the following ??

Your comment that, "illegals money is theirs to spend (remit), because our gov't does not tell me how to *spend* my money ?? (TAXES) This supports our govt's actions, TAX the citizens, & ignore the BILLION per month that goes to mexico, ALONE.

How 'bout GWB's 'proposal' that TAXPAYERS fund another gov't agency to 'track' 10 million (plus) REWARDED illegals & their employers. Rather than punish these 'tax evaders' as we would our own citizens. This 'proposal' also, 'legalizes' line jumping, thereby punishing those wanting to come to the USA legally the FIRST time.

If GWB WAS serious about catching illegal employers, he wouldn't have just signed the VOLUNTARY nation wide program for employers to verify SS#'s. (Dec. 2003)

How 'bout the FIRST statement that Fox made about the 'proposal' was that, "It's not enough, we want more", HOWEVER, a couple days later (after 'private' meeting with GWB), Fox says, "the'proposal' is great, & each of the 5 million now 'legalized', will be able to bring up to 5 family members NORTH with them (25 million more).

Seems to me any, or all of the above are creating more hate to-wards illegals, than anything I post about them. Most especially, Fox/Mexico's DEMANDS for more mexican 'rights' in the USA, that far exceed some of the 'rights' they have in mexico.


If you have some credible solutions, >>>>>>>>>>>

Many good (fair) solutions have been posted many times.....

MANDATORY SS# checks for employers, & FINE the ones employing illegals.
End ALL gov't 'freebies' for illegals immediately, including 'anchor baby' laws.
Stop the 'revolving' doors at our borders. First time your caught sneaking in, 5 yrs. before you can legally try to enter.

Ya know, if our gov't is NOT serious about ENFORCING our immigration laws, NO ONE will ever be serious about obeying them.

[silversky]

You are thinking way too much off the reservation.

Destro said this as a complement. In a sense you are bright and independent enough to see the importance of faith affirmation. The "reservation" contains those who don't go further than the silly PC excuses supplied by the President. Anyway, your point is important. His "religion of peace" nonsense have not gone away. I'm afraid he'll push a lot more down our throats before the "reservation" gets it.

[Marine Inspector]

I agree with you...the plan doesn't solve every problem, but it isn't meant to.

Here are some quotes from the President:

“A temporary worker program will help protect our homeland, allowing Border Patrol and law enforcement to focus on true threats to our national security.”

Not true. It will encourage more illegal immigration and tie up vital law enforcement resources.

“I oppose amnesty, because it would encourage further illegal immigration, and unfairly reward those who break our laws.”

Yet, that is exactly what you’re doing.

“My temporary worker program will preserve the citizenship path for those who respect the law.”

No it won’t, every temporary worker will be eligible for a green card. Once they have a green card, they are eligible for citizenship.

The President sure thinks his plan will solve everything.

Marine Inspector

[iopscusa]

I think you are wrong on just about every point you make on Border/Immigration failures. You seem to think there is no answer to this problem.Obviously you have bought into the negative argument's as most of the Leftist have. I don't think the immigration/border control problem is insolvable at all. Certainly other countries seem to control border entry & exit successfully, Switzerland comes to mind, as well as Australia. I suggest this issue is very important to all Americans who are clear-thinking and know that any problem may be solved if the commitment to doing so is present. Our duty as American citizens & taxpayers is to make sure our laws are enforced. We pay our Government a lot of our tax money to do this and we are not happy with their failure to do the job. Maybe it is time to hire new employees that will do the job! This issue will not be mollified by political gamers....we will be surprised how strongly this issue affects Americans.

[Mamzelle]

Does Tancredo's plan allow for turning SSecurity into a cash advance plan for Juarez?

[AmericanInTokyo]

Wow. Good point. Where is the Outrage!!??

They can just keep sending them back as far as I am concerned, to UK, France, Mexico, Belgium, El Salvador, Nigeria, China, Thailand, wherever all the illegals are coming in from.

[yoe]

To All...your responses are right 98% of the time – keep it coming and send your responses to The United States Congress that they will lose votes across the board if they commit to any of the proposals that allow amnesty for an illegal alien no matter where that person is from or how long he/she has evaded the INS or any law enforcement entity.

Push Bush and work to dump this proposed immigration policy!

Citizenship in the United States of America is a beautiful thing. However, people who come here illegally are breaking the law as their first step and this is not what being an American is about! Let the Congress hear from you, Democrat or Republican or Independent...we do not want law breakers for Citizens. Keep it going Freepers you are right on!!!

[FITZ]

Kicking out all the illegals is not only impossible but will open a few other cans of worms.

I agree with that --- but who said it's got to be all or nothing? Police ticket speeders they catch --- but they don't get all of them, murderers who are caught are put in prison, but some murderers run loose --- that doesn't mean we just don't catch any.

They should start with those committing serious crime like felony document fraud and that should be easy enough by cleaning out the Social Security number database and going after Identity theft --- that should gain them permanent deportation with no rights to visit here ever. Deport those illegals getting caught driving with no license and insurance, DWI's, shoplifting, gang membership, etc etc. End the practice of anchor babies, especially those whose mothers never intend to pay their hospital bill and also use their babies for welfare checks, foods stamps and the rest. Cut all that off. No more government freebies of any kind.

They won't catch 100% this way --- but they'll have gotten the very worst types out of here.