Bush's immigration plan offers bait for every currently-anonymous illegal alien to come in from the cold and *register* with the federal government, as well as registering their home, their U.S. employer, and their family. If you've ever been remotely involved with law enforcement, you know two things about registration:
1. It is easier to ban something (such as guns) once it is registered, and
2. It takes fewer LEO resources to track down someone who is known versus someone who is anonymous. In a time when we have over 8 million anonymous illegals, those resources matter.
After registering with the federal government, Bush's plan forces each illegal alien to pay a fine for being here illegally.
One could consider it to be a giant plea bargain.
In return for registering and paying that fine, they get new blue cards. The blue cards allow them to remain in the U.S. for three years, legally, so long as they remain employed, pay taxes, and stay out of any legal trouble.
To get a renewed blue card after 3 years, they have to return to their home countries in order to apply. This sends millions back to their home countries voluntarily, preventing the need to have a forced military round up larger than the one last seen in Europe from 1937 to 1945 (6 million +).
Frankly, I've heard of worse plans. It's a plea bargain, not an amnesty (you don't pay fines for amnesties), and it gets anonymous illegals registered, as well as gives them incentives to finally stay out of trouble with the law.
So this plan doesn't have me flailing my arms over my head while screaming that the sky is falling.
5 Legislative Days Left Until The AWB Expires