Posted on 09/27/2005 2:48:46 PM PDT by Heartland Mom
To stem the "flood" of illegal immigrants into the United States, Sen. Ben Nelson said today that he soon will introduce legislation calling for 3,000 new Border Patrol agents, boosting Customs officers by 1,200 and denying amnesty for the millions of undocumented workers now in the country.
"It's time for action to protect our borders," he said in a conference call with reporters.
Nelson, D-Neb., characterized his bill as an attempt to secure America's borders to protect jobs and to block potential terrorists from crossing into the country.
He said he was motivated by numerous complaints he has received from Nebraskans about illegal immigration.
"Lots of folks are concerned their tax dollars are supporting illegal immigrants living in their communities," Nelson said.
"They're concerned about their taxes but also their safety. They're concerned about the quality of their schools, the cost of health care. They're concerned jobs are being lost to illegal immigrants."
Nelson's proposed bill has elements that have been advocated in recent years by other lawmakers. His measure is tougher than some of those bills, which propose an amnesty program for the estimated 10 million undocumented workers in the United States.
Nelson pointedly said his bill doesn't include amnesty.
Under his proposal, any illegal immigrant who is arrested would automatically be deported. Businesses that employ illegal immigrants would be prosecuted.
However, he said, his bill would not authorize raids on businesses that might be employing undocumented workers, which has been an issue in Nebraska's meatpacking industry.
His bill would increase funding for technology to stop border crossings, such as the use of unmanned Predator planes with cameras to monitor the borders. He also proposed online tracking of people who illegally enter the country.
For those seeking legal immigration, Nelson's bill would speed up the government's approval process and increase the number of agents to help speed up such immigration.
Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., who recently visited the Mexico border, introduced an immigration reform bill in the last Congress and plans to reintroduce a new version in the coming weeks, his office said.
Unlike Nelson's no-amnesty plan, Hagel's original proposal would provide a way for undocumented workers now in the United States to work toward legal status.
Under Hagel's plan, if illegal workers have passed a background check, lived in the United States for at least five years, worked for four years, paid all taxes and demonstrated a knowledge of English, they could apply for legal status.
ping
Maybe some Repubs are finally starting to worry about America, instead of keeping the White House happy. Alot more are needed.
It won't be long before someone arrives to tell us that we have to become more democrat than the democrats to prevent the democrats from taking over.
Which one is Democrat & which one is a Republican?
Regards,
GtG
Hillary will campaign on this issue.
Nelson must be in hot water with the Demoscats.
What with actually proposing a tangible alternative versus the usual dose of hatred.
But then let's not get too carried away. Who knows what other items are boiling in Nelsons file? Is he doing this to avoid serving hard prison time?
Add: Also. Notice how a whole pack of Dems was ready at the birth of this post to chime in with "related" comments and cat calls?
A conspiracy you say?
Blah, blah, blah, see my tagline. If you want to beleive hillary then you deserve her.
BTW, pure grandstanding from ben nelson, remember he votes for harry reid to be Senate majority leader.
The best immigration bill out there is Kyl/Cornyn.
Nelson is a dem.
"The best immigration bill out there is Kyl/Cornyn."
It will be funny to watch you defend it even after all its teeth are removed.
However, he said, his bill would not authorize raids on businesses that might be employing undocumented workers, which has been an issue in Nebraska's meatpacking industry.
I'm having a hard time reconciling these two sentences.
I agree, but the President seems to think McCain/Kennedy is the best way to go. Because of that, many of us are starting to think that a third party is the best way to go.
"The Republicans in this Administration are making a Hugh mistake."
Lotsa bills being introduced. None yet out of committees.
Nelson can introduce his bill, with impunity. The Republicans will vote against this bill, claiming their party has better bill(s).
But at some point, we the voters meaningful deserve action.
Notwithstanding the whacko progressive takeover of the democrat party, I think their candidate will be closer to the center.
And the democrat candidate may well use this issue, to run against Bush's "do nothing" policies. The democrat will claim the Republican is another "do nothing" type.
Bottom line is both parties are "do nothing" on immigration.
Millions of illegals work, attend schools, get medical care and fill up prisons.
It would take hundreds of thousands of personnel to find and expell those millions.
Ain't gonna happen. Sorry to disappoint.
Nelson is a dem.
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Yes he is, but Hagel is not. At least Hagel is on the bandwagon, even though in a patronizing way to the open-border repubs.
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