Posted on 10/23/2005 3:17:13 PM PDT by jebanks
Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska once again will wade into the political minefield of immigration reform, planning to introduce legislation that would allow immigrants here illegally to work their way to legal status.
The plan Hagel is expected to introduce Tuesday also will include stronger controls at the border to stem the flow of undocumented workers into the United States.
Sen. Chuck Hagel
The Republican said Saturday there are about 10 million illegal immigrants here now who are an integral part of the nation's economy. Any immigration proposal must recognize and provide a way for them to earn legal status.
"Most illegal immigrants are here for the same reasons our grandparents came to this country, to improve their families' future," he said. "Most of them are good people, but the fact is they are here illegally. We have to deal with that."
Hagel held meetings in Omaha to discuss immigration in advance of unveiling his proposal.
On Friday he met with federal, state and local law enforcement officials. On Saturday he met with immigrant advocates in south Omaha, a traditional landing place for undocumented workers.
Hagel said the outline of his plan was well-received in both meetings.
Overall, Hagel said, the plan will be similar to the bill he introduced with then-U.S. Sen. Tom Daschle, D-S.D., in the last Congress.
But it will include some new details, including additional resources for border security.
He said he also will introduce the plan in three different bills. He said his previous experience in taking on controversial and complex issues, including climate change, has shown that breaking the plan into pieces would make it easier to pass.
I really don't think America needs 10 million more DemocRATS. Especially if they are illegal.
And to think, I'm in CO. 8^O
If they can't find NE with the directions I gave then they probably never found their way across the border.
"Give illegals a chance?"
They've already been given a chance. Many chances. They each cost American society $40,000 a year. They run up our health costs. They bring crime. They cause cultural pollution. Maybe the good senator would like to pay for them out of his own pocket.
He takes about 5 weeks to reply but I've always gotten a reply. Last one was about the war and he just sent a couple of reprints from newspapers. I had asked he answer some specific points but they were just ignored.
Really, we're past the point of legal immigration, too. The Immigration Era was the late 1800s, not now. Now we are nearing 300 million population. There is congestion everywhere. Immigration is driving house prices out of reach for most Americans. It's diminishing the middle class and reducing our standard of living. Let's put a stop to it.
Why, so our government and politicians such as yourself can continue to force us to pay for them? I don't think so.
"Immigration is driving house prices out of reach for most Americans."
But but... do you want to pay more for your asparagus?
If you or I commit a crime, what are the odds we get rewarded for our efforts??
Good poiny. By the way, the increase in asperagus would be 10-15 cents a pound.
Bingo
I agree! :)
Five weeks is ridiculous, imo. Are the folks in your part of the state as upset with Hagel as we are in the Northeast?
I'm in the panhandle and yes, he's not very popular out here at all.
I actually got a call from his staff once about an issue(taxes) and they assured me that he was working on it, yeah right. Since then it's been about 5 weeks for a response. But I've been sort of hostile also.
Uh, there are twenty million illegals here, Chuck, not ten million...that's approximately one quarter of Mexico's population. And guess what, Chuck, half of the rest of Mexico would like to join them. That's Mexico's middle class, Chuck. Maybe you should put your mind to work thinking up ways to encourage those already here to go home. Pretty soon the only living creatures left below the border will sport a tail and walk around on four legs.
"It's about time to start looking for some rope and tar & feathers.
Hope you don't mind--couldn't resist.
..my pinhead detector just went off the dial.
Responding to what he identified as a major constituent concern, Sen. Ben Nelson said Tuesday he will propose a crackdown on illegal immigration.
Nelson will introduce legislation designed to help secure U.S. borders by increasing border patrol agents and improving surveillance.
His bill also would toughen penalties for employers who hire illegal immigrants and require automatic deportation of any illegal immigrant who commits a felony.
“We need to try to stop the flood of illegal immigration and give law enforcement officers the tools they need,” the Democratic senator said.
Nelson’s bill does not directly address how to handle millions of illegal immigrants already in the United States.
“We’ll deal with that later,” he told a telephone news conference from Washington. The first step, Nelson said, is to “stop digging the hole.”
When asked how his bill compares with immigration reform legislation previously sponsored by Sen. Chuck Hagel, his Republican colleague, Nelson said: “I don’t have any amnesty...”
Hagel can be such an ass.
Not at all.
You said it better than I did.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.