What would be the purpose of setting up a whole new system and not holding people to their promises?
To me, it seems to give more force to a program; smoke them out and then watch them. If they want to earn their way here, fine; if not, let them go back with the rest of them.
Of course, two things have to happen: tighten the borders and set the deadline: after a certain date, no more registration; they have to come through legal channels. Then, when you catch people who aren't registered, it won't be that hard to tell who is still coming over the border and back they go.
There you go...this post was right above my question which you started to answer...you know where I stand, pretty much, right?
Even assuming the best of intentions, President Bush won't be around when those work visas expire anyway. Politicians of all strips often oversell their programs. President Bush wants a painless way to legalize illegal aliens. Promising enforcement he'll never have to undertake isn't that difficult.
To me, it seems to give more force to a program; smoke them out and then watch them. If they want to earn their way here, fine; if not, let them go back with the rest of them.
But they haven't earned their way here, nor would legalization change that. The Tancredo proposal, on the other hand, would give them a chance to apply through the proper channels.
Change that aspect of the Bush proposal and get Tancredo on board. This thing will sail through Congress.