Chertoff to Hannity: Removing 10~11M ILLEGALS too expensive and impractical

FoxNews Channel: Hannity & Colmes ^ | November 14, 2005 | Transcript

[DTogo]

...HANNITY: Because you had made a controversial statement, and you seem to be backing off of it now, and it was that people that are here illegally, that they all ought to be sent back.

I'm paraphrasing.

And it seems like now you've sort of backed off that position a little bit, because there are million that we estimate that are in this country illegally.

Why wouldn't we send them back?

CHERTOFF: ...I also recognize we've got, according to some estimates, 10 to 11 million illegals already in this country working. And the cost of identifying all of those people and sending them back would be stupendous. It would be billions and billions of dollars...

HANNITY: Why — in that sense, aren't you really rewarding those that didn't respect our laws and sovereignty? In other words, OK, you're saying, you came into this country illegally.

Now that we've identified you, we're going to let you even stay longer and make money, and then you can go back in three to six years.

Why don't we say, no, you're here illegally, you didn't respect our laws, you ought to go home? Why don't we just say that?

CHERTOFF: Well, Sean, you know, it's really an issue of practicality.

I mean, as a practical matter, we've got to identify these people and pull them out of the shadows.

Now, this is not an amnesty. This is not — the president's proposal is not a path to citizenship. It's clearly temporary, and it clearly envisions people who would have to commit to go back....

[Hank Rearden]

I see no difference between your attempt to bring down this President and Ted Kennedy.

Then you're obviously not paying attention. And both Bush Jr. and Kennedy are bringing themselves down, as Big Stupid Government politicians.

You are attacking the CIC in a time of war which makes you traitorous just as your average Dim!

Weak. Just weak. Big Stupid Government-quality weak. Off-topic, too . . . massively.

Perpetual war will always be the lame "argument" of weak, government-think, alleged minds. That's why we can't even get out of a craphole like Haiti, and we'll never get out of Iraq. We will always be "at war" - it's good for the growth of government.

So go find a real argument to defend Your Rulers.

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

I guess voting republican again would be too expensive and impractical.

Screw them.

[flashbunny]

And there you go again.

Because you constantly engage in personal attacks on those who want to secure the border, while saying you aren't doing that, you are proving yourself unworthy of being listened to, let alone taking seriously.

You're in good company. Maybe you and dane can pontificate together. It's just sooooo sad that the other FROBL members who acted the same way (constantly attacking and disparaging the pro-border control side) have all been banned.

Maybe there's a board they went to where they all talk about how stupid and racist all those "control the border" folks are. Perhaps you should seek that place out and post there instead.

[eskimo]

The best stuff I have seen are the immigration studies at CATO. Thanks for the question

But, what there did you think was "a better way"? Can you be a little more specific?

[kabar]

Ever wonder why you're the only person in this country to ever advocate this "let's make a new amendment all the time" approach?

I mean, seriously, I have never seen anyone argue such a bizarre approach to the constitution. You seriously need to step back and examine exactly what you are proposing, and think why NO ONE else in the country, hell, the world, thinks it should be done your way.

The only thing I wonder is why you persist again and again to mischaracterize my position. Did you read my post #190 and comprehend what I wrote? Apparently not. Let me repeat it real slow for you so your lips don't get tired while reading it,

"I have never said nor do I favor "continually passing constitutional amendments to accomplish the same thing as they are ignored by activist courts." The process is difficult and should only be used to resolve hard issues. It has been and will be rare.

[Dave S]

What is wrong with this clueless and feckless administration? Dont they realize that the American people want cheap gas prices, unlimited free medical care, guaranteed Social Security benefits w/o any changes to the program. And they want these problems FIXED TODAY!!(SARCASM OFF)

I see...so you are saying that not even TRYING to seal the border, stop Illegals from being ILLEGALLY employed, and remove those who are a THREAT to life, limb and freedom illegally here...is better than actually doing it, right?

I dont know the answer to solving illegal immigration but I know its not going to be solved just by the simple platitudes thrown around here. If it were truly that simple, then it would have been done decades ago. Problems remain unsolved because they are complex, not because there is a great conspiracy to make your life unhappy.

[cinives]

I didn't realize cheap gas prices, unlimited free medical care, and guaranteed SS benefits were illegal.

What part of "illegal" don't you understand ? If the laws we already have were enforced, we'd make a big dent in the problem without needing any new laws. And yes, it could be done NOW.

[TheForceOfOne]

Profiling is an effective option.

[judgeandjury]

I hear all the talk about sovereignty, border security, and agree, but when it comes to nuts and bolts, what I see is alot of just plain vindictive retribution. I think it is despicable and unamerican.

I think you are despicable and unamerican.

[flashbunny]

I did read and comprehend it.

I just wondered why you continue to advocate an approach that bascially no other person has ever advocated - passing new amendments to re-state what is already in an amendment that has been ratified.

I have never seen anyone except you advocating such a postion.

BTW, if you want, here's more information on why you're wrong.

http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/Printable.asp?ID=2869

[Dave S]

That's why you build a border fence - to keep people out in the first place and to keep them from coming back once deported.

Ever hear of tunnels? And for the Al Qaeda financed, small airplanes or speed boats along the California coast.

[chronic_loser]

The "better way" would in essence reverse the situation we have at the border. Right now it is HARD to get across legally, but EASY to get across illegally. It costs a "tax" (to a coyote) of about $4-6000, depending on where you are. There are no disease screeners, nor crime screeners. We let them across because 1) we don't have the testicular fortitude ot stand up to the "labor" movement who wants restricted labor pools to prop up wages (they hate markets) and 2) we kill our entry level laborers (kids) at the rate of about a million a year. Everyone except a few freepers and union shills acknowledge that we need a supply of entry level labor, so we "let" them come in. We should reverse that, so that it becomes EASY to have legit papers, and so that the ones who ARE coming across the border with no intention of playing by the rules, or for other reasons, are not mixed in with families, children and generally good people (I have to interject here that some freepers cannot see past them jumping the border and that automatically disqualifies them from being "good people"). Prop 200 principles go nationwide (no fed bennies for non-citizens. Work visa contingent on keeping your nose clean and paying taxes. People whose crime limited to border law violation eligible to buy legal status (fines, but green cards, if financially responsible. If you want some other stuff, it is over there. There are alot of thinking people who want to fix the problems without unnecessary pain all the way around.

[Dave S]

Enforce existing laws for employers. I own a small business, it's not that hard to find out if someone is here legally. (Nexus) The illegals will self deport if there is no work...and no goobermint handouts.

And what percent are working for individuals directly and being paid in cash?

What are you going to do about laws that prevent discrimination on goobermint handouts on basis of being illegal or not?

[Mo1]

DoughtyOne to Chertoff, capturing and prosecuting criminals is too costly, lets empty the prisons and just try to get along.

ACLU lawyers donate their time for free - pro bono cases

Government lawyers would cost taxpayers a lot of money

And that is only one element of the whole big picture

AND FOR THE RECORD ... I'm not saying we should not process illegal criminals and do nothing

But Chertoff has a point about the cost

[Mo1]

grrrr .. should be

not process = not prosecute

[judgeandjury]

The SOLUTION to the border problem is where the differences comes and I am damn tired of a bunch of single digit IQ morons yawlping about "law and order" and "enforcing the security laws" as though their was only one road to that goal,

You're a zero IQ illegal alien loving fool.

[Dave S]

How many large companies hire illegals? Few. Therefore you have to go after and take to trial a large number of small companies.

Few? Really? Then...then...who's doing the work "Americans won't do?" If there are "few" Illegals working...then how are they "earning" a living?

Do you have any idea of what a large company is? Or if they have more than two people they are large in your world. Going beyond the companies, many of the people working in agriculture, or moving lawns, or working as nannys or cleaning ladys are working for individuals, not corporations. If these people want the work done they are going to continue paying them under the table.

[chronic_loser]

I think you are despicable and unamerican.

(blush)I never knew you cared.

I am for free markets, free peoples, good friendships, controlled but loose borders, and libertarian solutions to the immigration problem that preserve our freedoms and not cause needless human misery in the name of "respecting our laws." Damn. I guess I will be out burning the flag next. Imagine such despicable notions.

[flashbunny]

" Ever hear of tunnels? And for the Al Qaeda financed, small airplanes or speed boats along the California coast."

Wow, going to bayourod route. "A fence can't stop everybody, so why build one????"

Here's a clue for you:

Security is done in layers. Because each layer, by itself, can't deter everybody. So you build up different layers of security in order to create a whole system.

By your "logic" (which is just a rationalization for doing nothing), you shouldn't lock your doors because a thief could just come in through the windows.

In the real world, people realize an argument like yours is idiotic. You not only lock the doors, but you secure the windows. You put up motion lights to detect and deter people coming close to your house. You keep bushes (except the sparse, prickly kind) away from windows so people can't hide behind them. You get a dog. You get a security system. And if they get through all that while you're home, you have a gun.

The utterly bankrupt argument you make is tantamount to saying "eh, why bother? A fence can't stop them all!"

People like you are part of the problem, because instead of working to solve the problem, you make excuses as to why it can't be solved, and give cover to the weak politicians who sell out our security.

[flashbunny]

" Do you have any idea of what a large company is?"

Yes - tyson, walmart, etc.

All have hired illegal aliens in one way or another.

Make the fines large - say $25,000 for infractions - and watch their hiring plummet.

Congratulations on the disingenuous arguments.