Congressman: Bush illegals plan dead for '04

WND ^ | 2-21-04 | N/A

[JustPiper]

Says rift among Republicans could be mended if proposal scrapped

President Bush's plan to overhaul immigration policy with a temporary worker program has little chance of passing this year, a congressman said.

U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, told the San Antonio Express-News the reform proposal has created a worrisome rift among Republicans that could be fixed if the plan is substantially changed or scrapped.

As WorldNetDaily reported, on Jan. 7, Bush proposed allowing illegal aliens working in the United States to remain in the country for three years if their employers vouch for their jobs. During that period, the worker essentially would be given the rights of a worker with permanent-resident status, including Social Security benefits and the right to bring family members to the United States. In addition, a "temporary worker program" would permit foreigners to come to the U.S. if they can prove they have secured a job.

A House Immigration Subcommittee member, and former chairman, Smith views the guest-worker plan as a veiled call for amnesty despite the president's insistence to the contrary. He also expressed the concern of many Republicans that it will allow terrorists to come into the country on a worker visa, the San Antonio paper said.

In January, Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., said on Joseph Farah's WorldNetDaily RadioActive program he did not think Congress would pass the Bush plan, but feared a bill more to his disliking would be proposed.

Democrats want to make it even easier for illegals to stay in the United States, and many Republicans would support them, he said.

Smith believes any plan that encourages illegal immigration will further depress wages, and he fears a voter backlash against Republican candidates.

"Some Republicans support the president on this issue, but they're in the minority," he told the Express-News. "The president is going to have to convince the rest of us or risk having a lot of Republicans opposed to him."

Smith said Republicans need to communicate to Americans they are not against immigrants, as long as they enter the country legally.

Many GOP members find the plan far too extensive with its inclusion of workers in any industry, not just agriculture. Also many object to employees with illegal workers already on the payroll not having to offer jobs to U.S. citizens first.

The congressman said, however, he would be open to testing the idea with a geographically limited guest worker program, the San Antonio paper reported.

Meanwhile, U.S. Border Patrol officials have confirmed the worst fears of opponents, reporting a 15 percent increase in the use of fraudulent documents at the world's busiest land border crossing since the proposal was announced.

[JustPiper]

Get ready to catch it folks

[JustPiper]

We succeeded in ourCamPain to let the GOP know we are not taking it!

[Jim Robinson]

Don't you just love it when a plan comes together!

[Bonaparte]

When I've needed work done here at the house, I've consistently sent back workers who don't speak English and let their boss know the contract is going to somebody else.

[JustPiper]

Sure do JR, but the 15% increase bother's me that the illegals were under the impression we were giving blanket amnesty. The coyotes sure knew how to drum up business at the expense of our border agents. this is what it took to get Ridge's bum to the borders today, that is sad.

[AZBear]

In January, Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., said on Joseph Farah's WorldNetDaily RadioActive program he did not think Congress would pass the Bush plan, but feared a bill more to his disliking would be proposed.

I hope he is wrong about something worse but I fear that the pandering will continue.

[The American Man]

> President Bush's plan to overhaul immigration policy with a temporary worker program has little chance of passing this year, a congressman said. <

So we are supposed to be happy that “they” didn’t do what they shouldn’t do anyway! Now WHEN are they going to deport illegals and seal the $%^ borders!

[thoughtomator]

At some point it would be nice if they started talking about enforcing the laws we have now... if all this means is another year with no change in the status quo, it's not that wonderful a piece of news.

[JustPiper]

Good for you Bonaparte! Other's do not get that and keep hiring. My MIL is the best Christian you ever want to know. She worked many years in this place as the only American and vainly tried to fight the illegals hired by another illegal who took over. When she gave her notice two weeks ago, she told her boss, now you can have what you wanted, no American's.

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=37146

[JustPiper]

There is an article posted here from yesterday that Ridge was consulting with Mexico just how to do that

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1082388/posts

[The American Man]

This article does make me somewhat more sanguine about the illegal immigration issue. Thanks
you for the link!

[Clemenza]

Ping!

[Joe Bfstplk]

Some email humor I received:

> >
> >
> >Mad Cows and Illegal Aliens
> >
> >Is it just me or does anyone else find it amazing that our
> government can
> >track a cow born in Canada almost three years ago, right to the
> stall where
> >she
> >sleeps in the state of Washington. Also they track her calves
> >to their stalls. But they are unable to locate 11 million illegal
> aliens
> >wandering around our country.
> >Look for the ACLU (American Cow Liberty Union) to change all that
> real
> >soon.
> >Cows have rights too.
> >Mad Cows and Illegal Aliens
> >
>

[Recovering_Democrat]

President Bush's plan to overhaul immigration policy with a temporary worker program has little chance of passing this year, a congressman said.

Probably for the best. The President's heart is in the right place, and at least his proposal might stimulate discussion on what to do about the problem.

[lainde]

bttt

[ARepublicanForAllReasons]

Bush proposed allowing illegal aliens working in the United States to remain in the country for three years if their employers vouch for their jobs. During that period, the worker essentially would be given the rights of a worker with permanent-resident status, including Social Security benefits and the right to bring family members to the United States. In addition, a "temporary worker program" would permit foreigners to come to the U.S. if they can prove they have secured a job.

In other words, Mr. President, you want to give employers the power to grant de facto citizenship???

[goldstategop]

The Fat Lady has sung. An illegal alien amnesty is dead this year folks.

[Pro-Bush]

BUMP!

[voicereason]

So we are supposed to be happy that “they” didn’t do what they shouldn’t do anyway! Now WHEN are they going to deport illegals and seal the $%^ borders!

Isn't that the damn truth........

[Guillermo]

The "President's heart is in the right place?"

Well, we all know the road to Hell is paved with Good Intentions (Campaign FInance Reform, New Trillion-Dollar entitlements for Granny's pills, 20% increase in funding for the NEA, billions in new spending on Education, ad nauseum).