Posted on 08/27/2005 10:23:56 AM PDT by GOPGuide
PHOENIX - Struggling to pacify his party's warring wings, President Bush is moving toward allowing illegal immigrants who came to the U.S. before February 2004 to qualify for guest-worker visas. People smuggled in after then would be deported.
State leaders in Arizona and New Mexico have stepped up pressure on the Bush administration and the Republican-led Congress to better police U.S. borders and deal with an estimated 10 million people who are living illegally in this country.
"They're trying to split the baby," Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said of the White House plan, "and I don't think they can do that."
Bush and his advisers are caught between their supporters in the business sector, who believe the economy needs those workers, and conservatives whose priority is to clamp down on illegal immigration. The White House hopes to have a detailed proposal to Congress in late September or early October.
McCain, who ran against Bush for the 2000 GOP nomination and may seek the White House in 2008, is sponsoring a bill with Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., that would create 400,000 three-year visas for guest workers. The legislation has the flexibility to add more in the future and would let undocumented workers stay in the U.S. while they apply.
A competing plan by Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., would create two-year visas and require that guest workers and illegal immigrants leave the U.S. before they can apply for the chance to work legally in the country.
Conservative House Republicans tend to favor Kyl's tougher approach. McCain mocks it.
"Turn yourself in so we can send you back to Mexico," said McCain, throwing his head back in laughter during an interview at his Arizona office last week. "It's not going to happen."
The White House seems to agree with McCain.
According to administration and congressional officials who took part in a series of White House meetings this summer, Bush does not favor requiring illegal immigrants to be sent home to apply for the visas.
In a nod to his conservative base, however, the president has rejected a part of the McCain-Kennedy bill that the White House believes would put illegal immigrants on an automatic track to citizenship, the officials said.
The officials said it was unclear how many illegal immigrants came after February 2004 or how many later had children in the U.S., conferring U.S. citizenship on those babies. The White House wants to avoid a surge of illegal immigrants who would try to beat a prospective deadline, they said.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the White House has not authorized them to discuss the policy, which is subject to change.
All sides agree that illegal immigration has become a national security, humanitarian and economic crisis:
_Intelligence agencies fear terrorists could slip into the U.S. through Mexico.
_Hundreds of illegal immigrants die each year while trying to enter the U.S. Those who make it often fall prey to criminals and opportunists.
_From construction companies in Arizona to farmers in the Midwest and California, many industries need those cheap and available workers.
"Just stop at one of these construction sites and look and see who those workers are. They're all Hispanic," McCain said. "And I bet you they're illegal."
Depending on how Hispanics react, this fall's immigration debate could help determine whether Democrats or Republicans dominate the fastest-growing voting bloc in years to come.
The issue threatens to divide Democrats. Affluent, well-educated liberals are embracing immigration as part of cultural diversity. But poor Democrats, including blacks, are wary of Hispanics' growing economic and political clout.
Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano of Arizona, who supports the McCain-Kennedy bill, joined Gov. Bill Richardson, D-N.M., this month in declaring immigration emergencies in their states. "We just kept waiting and waiting and waiting but never did see a sense of urgency from Washington," she said.
Voters are frustrated, too, especially in the Southwest, where illegal immigration is an unsettling fact of life.
"It's sad to see Democrats doing what Republicans ought to be doing," Danielle Taylor, 24, a Republican voter in Scottsdale, said during a break from her bank job. "Napolitano may have just earned my vote."
McCain faced tough questions at a town hall meeting Thursday night in Mesa, where conservatives accused him of going soft on illegal immigrants. "No amnesty!" some shouted.
McCain says his bill does not provide amnesty. Conservatives say no better word describes allowing illegal immigrants to remain in the U.S.
Bush may face similar criticism. McCain, Napolitano and other supporters of guest workers argue that it is unrealistic to deport 11 million people.
McCain's bill would require the undocumented workers to register with the government, pay all back taxes and a $2,000 fine, then go through a series of background checks and work at least six years before applying for a green card.
The senator said he is willing to stiffen those requirements. The White House plan probably will have its own.
The White House may take the unusual step of writing the legislation or submitting specific language to Congress.
YEH!! McCAin officially put the nail in the coffin of a potential '08 run for the White House - "I'm John McCain, and I want to be your yellow-bellied President to chicken to enforce our laws."
HA!
Sucker born every minute.
Bush needs to clean up his act on immigration... he has nothing to loose even if he offends the politically correct crowd.. hes not running for any future office as far as we can tell.. Bush likes to talk about executing the war on terror and all of that stuff.. but what he dosnt want to admit is that while were fighting one way in the mid east, were being invaded by another country..
In 2008, i will not even consider voting for mccain because he will sell us out faster than you can say 'phoney'... the GOP needs a big time wake up call...stop worrying about what the editorials and the politically correct crowd will say and PROTECT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE!
Amen Big Tom...Amen
I feel very let down from 2000....the WOT notwithstanding
And then those of us who love our nation will suffer.
Anyway, this subject needed to be tackled years ago. No to amnesty, no to letting the guilty off the hook. All caught illegals should be deported because they are by definition a criminal.
I could go on, as could anyone else. But truth be told, I'm so damned sick of this subject. What else can be said?
I no longer have it in me to incessantly bitch about anything.
Flake's my district. He nauseates me.
"I no longer have it in me to incessantly bitch about anything."
LOL. Relax, I'll pick up your slack.
lol
I wont quibble with that 10 million, but I do believe it is an absurdly low estimate.
By close the borders I assume you mean a true guarded barrier. I agree.
I am not in favor of a guest worker program, but if we have one let it be Tancredo's. It is a comprehensive package.
We do not need to ferret. Simpy allow local law enforcement to detain Illegals for fast-track deportation by ICE. Appeals can be filed from their country of origin.
Ping. Support your position.
If others feel the same way maybe next primary election you can vote him out. The open border libertarians need to start losing.
Constitution party is looking good haha... reading that webpage of theirs.. those guys seem like they wouldnt take any crap.. too bad they wouldnt have a chance in hell of winning nationally
Knock yourself out. I'm tired.
Kyl is an fool for thinking they are going to turn themselves in after two years.
Sigh, sometimes, I really think my vote is the kiss of death for any candidate.
To the White House NO!NO!NO! DAMN IT ALL NO!
"In a nod to his conservative base, however, the president has rejected a part of the McCain-Kennedy bill that the White House believes would put illegal immigrants on an automatic track to citizenship, the officials said."
This is good though.
What, they come in with a time stamp? How can an administration and a congress be so dense? McCain is right we can't just deport them but we don't have to, they will deport themselves once all aid (health, education, welfare, etc) is cut off and the job market dries up. The real solution is with the employeers. Make it was too expensive to hire illegals and we won't have the problem we have today.
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