Kyl’s border crackdown plan reflects political, security realities

EastValleyTribune ^ | May 29, 2005 | Tribune Editorial

[Happy2BMe]

Kyl’s border crackdown plan reflects political, security realities

May 29, 2005

Tribune Editorial

After being pummeled for two months by critics who claim he’s too weak on illegal immigration, U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., is proposing sweeping get-tough legislation to tighten border security and crack down on those who hire undocumented workers.

Groups pushing liberal immigration policies quickly criticized the plan, which is being co-authored by Sen. John Cornyn, R-Tex., but it may actually nudge meaningful reforms forward that include a guest-worker program as well as tougher border security.

Kyl has been harshly criticized following publication of a Tribune article on March 31 quoting him as favoring reforms that would include an avenue for working and otherwise law-abiding illegal immigrants to gain legal status. Kyl also said he favored creation of a fraud-proof Social Security card utilizing the latest biometric technology to curb the hiring of illegal immigrants.

In a column on these pages April 3, Kyl strongly objected to the word "amnesty" that appeared over the March 31 article on his proposal. "I do recognize that there are more than 10 million illegal immigrants in the United States, and that we are in dire need of a realistic policy to deal with them," Kyl wrote.

"But there is a big difference between allowing such people to temporarily work in the U.S. and granting them legal permanent residence and a right to apply for U.S. citizenship, all without leaving. That’s blanket amnesty, and I oppose it."

But Kyl’s explanation didn’t quell the anger of what appears to be a growing number of Arizonans who want immigration laws enforced — period. And the introduction of comprehensive immigration reform legislation earlier this month cosponsored by U.S. Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., and U.S. Reps. Jeff Flake and Jim Kolbe, R-Ariz., and Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., further inflamed the critics. The fear is that this latest round of immigration reform will be a carbon copy of reforms passed two decades ago that amounted to little more than amnesty — and hence sent a clear signal to Mexicans that the door to America is wide open.

Workable immigration reform must include some provision for guest workers to accommodate the American economy’s need for a continuous supply of entry-level workers. But such reforms are not politically possible without serious border enforcement. Kyl’s plan, which includes 10,000 more Border Patrol agents and $500 million for barriers, surveillance cameras and other infrastructure, is the most serious effort in that regard that we’ve yet seen.

Critics may not like it, but they’re going to have to live with it. Americans appear more determined than ever to hold the federal government to its responsibility to ensure homeland security in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. And most people know that homeland security is not complete as long as our borders remain porous.

Comprehensive immigration reform is necessary. But clearly it cannot happen without an accompanying commitment to border security. Sen. Kyl deserves credit for putting a meaningful proposal on the table.

[Happy2BMe]

Has Tancredo gotten to Kyl?

[Happy2BMe]

Is Kyl for real?

(To guest work or not to guest work - that is the question.)

=================================================

After being pummeled for two months by critics who claim he’s too weak on illegal immigration, U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., is proposing sweeping get-tough legislation to tighten border security and crack down on those who hire undocumented workers.

Groups pushing liberal immigration policies quickly criticized the plan, which is being co-authored by Sen. John Cornyn, R-Tex., but it may actually nudge meaningful reforms forward that include a guest-worker program as well as tougher border security.

[Happy2BMe]

pings

[axes_of_weezles]

I dont tnink so. Just reacting.

Corrupt public workers a thorn in side of S. Ariz.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1412699/posts

[WFTR]

Meaningful proposals have to start with elimination of those benefits that are driving people to enter our country illegally. Taxpayers should not be providing education, healthcare, or welfare to people who are in this country illegally. Employers who wish to hire aliens who are in this country under a guest worker program should be forced to cover the costs of educating the guest worker's children and paying for needed healthcare. If those costs make alien workers too expensive, then the employers will just have to hire Americans.

We need to have a Constitutional Amendment to stipulate that babies born in the United States to mothers who are here illegally are not U.S. citizens. This amendment would end the practice of illegals being able to have "anchor babies" who would make it possible for their parents to stay in this country. If having a baby here no longer kept a woman from being deported, some of them would quit trying to come here to have babies.

We need to do more about border security, but our efforts must start with eliminating the incentives that cause people to come here illegally. If the incentives are there, people will find a way to enter our country. If we eliminate the incentives to cheat, then those who want to come will be more likely to be those who really want to be contributing American citizens.

Bill

[Happy2BMe]

America's Anchor Baby Syndrome

The UnConstitutionality of Citizenship by Birth to Non-Americans

[Altair333]

The first thing we need to do is stop our politicians from making the situation even worse.

I still can't believe Bush and Fox agreed to let illegal aliens collect US social security benefits. And Kennedy and McCain want to grant them amnesty/citizenship. There is absolutely nothing in amnesty for Americans- just for lawbreaking Mexicans.

First stop these politicans from doing more harm. The Republican party needs to seriously wake up. The notion that "I support Bush but dislike his immigration policy" is leading to disaster.

Immigration is THE issue, folks. It's the issue which will change the face of this country for decades to come. Long after the Iraq war is forgotten, we'll be dealing with the consequences of immigration decisions today.

[Happy2BMe]

I think you've got it.

[international american]

"The notion that "I support Bush but dislike his immigration policy" is leading to disaster."

It will lead to disaster for the Republican party to be sure. I will not vote for another Presidential candidate
unless he has a PROVEN track record on closing the border.

[international american]

We don't need any more guestworkers. Close the border!!

[DumpsterDiver]

"I do recognize that there are more than 10 million illegal immigrants in the United States, and that we are in dire need of a realistic policy to deal with them," Kyl wrote. "But there is a big difference between allowing such people to temporarily work in the U.S. and granting them legal permanent residence and a right to apply for U.S. citizenship, all without leaving. That's blanket amnesty, and I oppose it."

Nowhere did I see any plans to deport those who remain here and do not avail themselves of Kyl's "it's-not-a-blanket-amnesty" plan.

But Kyl's explanation didn't quell the anger of what appears to be a growing number of Arizonans who want immigration laws enforced — period.

I'm a Californian who also wants "immigration laws enforced — period."

The fear is that this latest round of immigration reform will be a carbon copy of reforms passed two decades ago that amounted to little more than amnesty — and hence sent a clear signal to Mexicans that the door to America is wide open.

It will be -- bet on it!

[WFTR]

These are great links, particularly the second one. I wish more Americans understood this truth. I wish the Supreme Court would interpret the 14th Amendment the way that it was intended. Those are worthy goals for which we should strive.

Thanks!

[Happy2BMe]

You are very welcome.

[HiJinx]

The good news is that Kyl isn't McCain.

[Reaganwuzthebest]

It may sound tough on paper but they all do. History tells us that even Kyl's "plan" will end up as an amnesty with zero enforcement as now but hopefully I'll be wrong.

[meema]

Me too!!!

[janetgreen]

Kyl’s plan, which includes 10,000 more Border Patrol agents and $500 million for barriers, surveillance cameras and other infrastructure

500 million is chicken feed compared to the amount California alone spends on illegal aliens every year (10 billion).

[janetgreen]

Good post, Altair.

[Happy2BMe]

" 500 million is chicken feed compared to the amount California alone spends on illegal aliens every year (10 billion)."

=========================

How much is this entire nation worth? Can it be counted?

[janetgreen]

How much is this entire nation worth?

We need to ask GWBush - he's the one who's selling...