Democrats offer plan on aliens

The Washington Times ^ | 1/29/04 | Amy Fagan

[Cyropaedia]

House Democrats yesterday proposed granting legal residency and the eventual option of U.S. citizenship to millions of illegal immigrants now working in the United States. Laying out their own principles for revamping the nation's immigration laws in response to what House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi called President Bush's "political ploy," Democrats went beyond Mr. Bush's plan for a temporary-worker program and called for a system of "earned legalization" for illegal aliens. At a Capitol Hill press conference, Democrats proposed allowing illegal immigrants who have worked in the United States for a yet-to-be-determined minimum period of time to stay here and be granted permanent legal residency, creating a "pathway" to eventual citizenship. "The president's proposal is a political ploy, and not the solid foundation on which we can build an improved immigration policy," said Mrs. Pelosi of California. "Democrats have a better way." Mrs. Pelosi said Mr. Bush's recently proposed plan doesn't create a meaningful way for illegal aliens to become U.S. residents or citizens; doesn't reduce the backlog of U.S. citizens' petitions on behalf of relatives who are here illegally; and doesn't help tens of thousands of teenage illegals attend college here and eventually be granted legal status. In addition to proposing measures to address those concerns, Democrats endorsed a temporary-worker program that would give foreigners the option to stay in the United States and eventually earn permanent legal status here. President Bush's plan, in contrast, would allow illegal aliens already here, as well as newcomers, to work in the United States legally for three years under a temporary-worker program. When their three-year permits expired, such immigrant workers would be required to return to their home countries. Once back in their home countries, they could apply for legal U.S. status through the existing system. Under the Bush plan, the three-year work permits could be extended in some cases, but not indefinitely. "The president wants to give [illegal aliens] a lot, but the Democrats want to give them the jackpot," said Steve Camarota, director of research at the Center for Immigration Studies. Sen. John Cornyn, the Texas Republican sponsor of legislation that essentially mirrors Mr. Bush's proposal, said requiring workers to eventually return to their home country will reduce future illegal immigration by strengthening struggling foreign economies. "In my recent visit with government leaders in Mexico City, I was repeatedly told that they want their workers to come back, to return home with capital and skills," he said. "They need those small-business owners, those entrepreneurs to strengthen a weakened middle class." Mr. Cornyn's bill and Mr. Bush's proposal would provide incentives for immigrants to return home after their legal work period here expires. But Democrats like Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez, Illinois Democrat, said it would be unfair and unworkable to deport immigrants who have worked in the United States for many years. He praised Mr. Bush for opening the door to immigration changes, but said the government won't be able to enforce Mr. Bush's plan. "There is not the political will ... to conduct that massive deportation," he said. Mr. Camarota agreed. "At least the Democrats are realistic," he said, adding that illegal immigrants in the United States, "aren't going home now and they're not going to go home with President Bush's proposal." Democrats propose allowing foreign-born minors who are here illegally to stay in the United States, attend college and eventually earn legal status. Democrats said that "at minimum" they support a bill, already approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee, to allow states to grant in-state college tuition rates to illegal-alien students. That bill would also authorize federal officials to halt deportation of such students and allow the students to eventually become permanent U.S. residents. Mrs. Pelosi said if Mr. Bush were serious about improving the system, he would call for immediate action on the House counterpart to that Senate bill, as well as another House bill that would allow 500,000 illegal agricultural workers to become legal permanent residents. Democrats also propose enhanced family-reunification provisions. They seek reinstatement of a law that would allow illegal immigrants, sponsored by immediate family members who are U.S. citizens, to stay in the United States and apply for legal status, instead of being forced to return to their home countries before seeking legal admission. Mr. Bush tried to revive that law in the past, but it was "beaten down in the House," Mr. Camarota said, and the measure is not part of Mr. Bush's most recent proposal.

[WayneM]

Actually I should feel jubilant upon hearing that the amnesty/guest worker program is dead. Instead I have a feeling of sadness.

Reviewing in my mind the tone of various recent posts here at FR, I can see that the anger towards GWB over spending and immigration is obviously deep and heartfelt. I have the same feelings myself.

My opinion of GWB has changed dramatically over the last few weeks. I'm saddened because I feel as if he has turned his back on the people who voted him into office. It really hurts to see how much good will can be thrown away so quickly. My biggest hope is that he will find some way to reconnect with the political will of the people who are responsible for him being elected. Spending a day or two away from his advisors and seriously reading posts in Free Republic would be a good start.

[He Rides A White Horse]

Come behold the future.

[Blue Scourge]

hoy..it's been a long day...I looked at the heading and started thinking extra terrastrials...ugh..need sleep.

[He Rides A White Horse]

"The president wants to give [illegal aliens] a lot, but the Democrats want to give them the jackpot," said Steve Camarota

....and nobody does it better than them.

Due to the President's ill-conceived amnesty plan, a can of worms has been opened. There was no need to propose it. Try to out-Democrat them now. See how far you get.

[Howlin]

Are you under the impression I'm interested in anything you have to say?

But now that I have your attention

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1067935/posts

[Stopislamnow]

The world has changed since 1776. "Warfare" is now conducted via the media and voting. Which means that people spending their times buying and studying about old fashioned warfare are just involved in historical play acting.

Tell that the victims of 9-11. or the rape and other murder victims of "illegal aliens" right now.

Try telling that to the people of the former Yugoslavia, you do realize, that they had running water once upon a time? Chechnya too.

Or maybe the 1 million Rwandans who were slaughtered owned pencils and video cameras?

The 300,000 iraqi's murdered, tortured, and raped, and beaten, and shredded surely had pencils!

You can take a film editing class, I'll keep going to the range.

[He Rides A White Horse]

Ahh.........I see.....the old "Jim Robinson" shield.

You can't come up with anything to refute what I am saying, so you refer me to a post that pointed describes Jim's opinion on the President.

Fine Howlin, if Mr Robinson wants to give his opinion on what I am saying, them let him. Let him tell me if he thinks there is truth to what I am saying.

Most cowardly Howlin......but you knew that already.

[He Rides A White Horse]

He is already aware of the other thread, since I requested a poll, remember?

You want Jim to come shoot the messenger for you, hmmmm..............you're pathetic.

[Howlin]

You're too dumb to be allowed in the voting booth.

[Cyropaedia]

Can you fill us in as to who it was...? :>P

[He Rides A White Horse]

You're too dumb to find it, undoubtably.

[Howlin]

Is that suppose to be news?

We've ALL been saying that since these rants started.

And we ALL called our congress people last week.

Nobody thinks anything is going anywhere.

[Afronaut]

"Call it a dictatorship, ruling from the bench or traitorist, he is working to defeat America and the will of the people."

I agree 100%

How could he EVER come up with this Anti-American Plan?

[Conspiracy Guy]

That is precisely why Bush's plan seemed wacky but acceptable. The best hope is that neither plan passes. If the Dem plan passes I'll move to Cancun.

CG

[Conspiracy Guy]

If you had been paying attention you'd know that the Dem plan has been in the works for a long time. Bush was paying attention and that is why he proposed a more viable plan before they got their's together.

Bush didn't open the can of worms. He is trying to get the worms in the can.

THINK

CG

[winker]

Attacking their on kind? NAAA!; never in a million years!

[international american]

Elton Gallegly (R) Simi Valley. I have known him for 20+ years.

[spacewarp]

If the Dem plan passes I'll move to Cancun.

Why bother? If it passes, they'll come here.

[Conspiracy Guy]

I know. There will be a lot of land for sale cheap and I'll start my own city. Always have a plan even if it is a bad one.

CG

[Cyropaedia]

I hope Elton is right. We can't afford a hybrid version of both proposals to pass the house.

There are a lot of open border proponents on that immigration subcommittee (like Linda Sanchez, Jeff Flake, Sheila Jackson Lee, & Chris Cannon).