Chertoff ties guest-worker status to reform plan

Newark Star Ledger ^ | 08.24.05 | ROBERT COHEN

[Coleus]

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said yesterday that stepped-up immigration enforcement must be coupled with a program that will allow foreigners into the country on a temporary basis to seek employment.

Chertoff said a new guest-worker program would meet the economic needs of businesses while creating a system to regulate the burgeoning flow of illegal immigrants into the country.

snip

Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and John Kyl (R-Ariz.) have proposed a temporary worker visa program requiring foreigners to return to their home countries after two years, and mandating that illegal aliens leave the country to apply for work visas. The senators would add $5 billion to border enforcement and increase penalties for employers who hire undocumented workers.

Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Edward Kennedy (D-Mass) have legislation that includes a program that would allow illegal immigrants to apply for guest-worker status without returning home first, and would give the temporary foreign workers a chance to apply for permanent residency.

On other issues yesterday, Chertoff:

• Opposed armed civilian patrols on the U.S.-Mexico border, saying "the border is a very dangerous place" and "not a place for people to play as amateurs."
• Argued the administration has made strides protecting chemical plants from terrorist threats, but acknowledged, "I am not going to tell you we are where we need to be with respect to chemical plants." He said the government is identifying the high-risk plants and looking for ways to provide incentives to eliminate vulnerabilities.
• Opposed creation of a national identification card, but said a new law establishing new standards for driver's licenses could prove beneficial in preventing identify theft and assisting law enforcement.

[agitator]

Let's worry about stopping the hordes first. After you get done with that, *then* come to me and talk about "guest workers."

[ExTexasRedhead]

Just proves that the politicans in Washington just "don't get it." Bus Congress down to the border and leave them there for a week or two. Maybe they will "get religion" that way. Idiots one and all.

[toomanylaws]

"Opposed armed civilian patrols on the U.S.Mexico border, saying "the border is a very dangerous place" and "not a place for people to play as amateurs.""
Obviously civilians are inferior and only people who work for the government know what to do. This kind of mentality by our arrogant government calls for us civilians to give them a severe attitude adjustment!

[OKIEDOC]

We need a guest worker program for farm worker and low paying jobs only. We don't need amnesty.

I agree that illegals should be forced to leave the country to apply for temporary employment.

I wonder how this will affect jobs the are high paying.

Does this open the borders to everyone.

[dennisw]

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said yesterday that stepped-up immigration enforcement must be coupled with a program that will allow foreigners into the country on a temporary basis to seek employment.

Chertoff said a new guest-worker program would meet the economic needs of businesses while creating a system to regulate the burgeoning flow of illegal immigrants into the country.

[Prince Charles]

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said yesterday that stepped-up immigration enforcement must be coupled with a program that will allow foreigners into the country on a temporary basis to seek employment.

The Bush Amnesty shell game goes on and on.

[dalereed]

"We need a guest worker program for farm worker and low paying jobs only. We don't need amnesty."

We don't need any guest workers.

Eliminate welfare, free medical, subsidized housing, etc. and those people can fill all the low wage jobs plus there will be increased unemployment especially when you consider that 30 or so years ago they changed the rules and those on welfare are considered employed.

[truthkeeper]

S.O.S. alert.

[jackbenimble]

If Chertoff can't figure out how to deport the millions that are already here, he won't be able to figure out how to deport the "guests" when their guestworker visas expire either. They are trying to pull off another bait and switch with promises of enforcement that won't be kept. I called it yesterday; Chertoff's comments are the opening gambit in the sales and promotion effort that we have been hearing about for the last month for the Bush Shamnesty.

[janetgreen]

This reminds me of another meaning for S.O.S. (sh** on a shingle)... The Bush administration is trying to serve it to America, and we're not buying it.

[HiJinx]

On other issues yesterday, Chertoff:
• Opposed armed civilian patrols on the U.S.-Mexico border, saying "the border is a very dangerous place" and "not a place for people to play as amateurs."

The border is a dangerous place? And the oceans aren't? Tell me, Mr. Secretary, how it is that you allow American citizens to take part in the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary and yet deny American citizens the opportunity to take part in the United States Border Patrol Auxiliary?

Oh, I'm sorry, one exists and one doesn't.

And why the Hell is that, Mr. Secretary?

[HiJinx]

[Carry_Okie]

I thought such specifications were Congress' job.

Who elected him?

[skeeter]

Pass our 'workers program' or we won't get serious about stopping the flow over the borders. Nice leadership ethics there.

[azhenfud]

BTTT

[MrNatural]

..The Bush Amnesty shell game goes on and on..

Just so. Nothing will make them move to solve the problem except election results.

And I don't mean conservatives sit on our hands or sit out elections to 'punish' open-border republicans; we have to strongly support every office seeker who is genuinely strong against illegal immigration. Those who are not should face primary challenges from those who are. When we get those letters asking for donations to the party, send them back stuffed with pesos.

We have forced this issue into the open, now we have to drive it to a solution. We can do it; there is a majority that wants this solved.

[engrpat]

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said yesterday that stepped-up immigration enforcement must be coupled with a program that will allow foreigners into the country on a temporary basis to seek employment.

One question I have and as far as I know no one has answered: Once they are here as "guest workers" how do you get them to go back to their country of origin? I think the term "shell game" is about as good as one can get.

[BIRDS]

I TOLD YOU SO!

"Guest worker program" instead of deterrants to illegal immigration and no plans to penalize illegal aliens.

[BIRDS]

"...a new guest-worker program would meet the economic needs of businesses..."

SUBSIDIZED by U.S. TAXPAYERS & CONSUMERS without so much as an opportunity to vote about it!