Posted on 11/15/2005 4:32:41 PM PST by Nachum
Homeland security chief defends Bush plan, says border eventually will be impenetrable
In defending President Bush's so-called "guest worker" program for illegal aliens – which critics have dubbed an amnesty program – Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff says it's just not practical to deport the millions of foreigners in the country illegally.
"The cost of identifying all of those people and sending them back would be stupendous. It would be billions and billions of dollars," Chertoff told Sean Hannity on the Fox News Channel program "Hannity & Colmes" last night.
"One of the reasons I think that we've been focusing on the idea of a temporary worker program as part of a larger strategy for border security is because it would be a way to siphon off people who really want to do nothing more than work here, put them into a regulated program – we would know who they are – we would then be able to send them back at the end of a period of three years or six years. They would have made some money, they could take it back home, and then we could focus our other resources on the people that don't want to do it the right way, and we could get those people sent out."
Hannity challenged Chertoff, saying such a plan rewards those who "didn't respect our laws and sovereignty."
Asked the talk-show host: "Why don't we say, no, you're here illegally, you didn't respect our laws, you ought to go home?"
Chertoff again appealed to the issue of cost, saying, " 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."
The Homeland Security chief emphasized that Bush's plan "is not an amnesty."
Said Chertoff: "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. … What this would let us do is acknowledge the reality that we've got hundreds and thousands of employers all over this country who are employing illegal aliens. Sometimes, individual citizens employing people in their home."
When Hannity suggested quadrupling the number of Border Patrol agents to help deal with the flood of illegals coming across the southern border, Chertoff pointed to training constraints.
"Right now, our capacity for training really is fully stretched," the official said. "Because it is obviously not an easy job, to train a Border Patrol agent. It's very dangerous work on the border."
Chertoff emphasized that since 9-11, the number of Border Patrol personnel has increased by 3,000.
The homeland security chief said he believes there will be a point in the future – using new technology and infrastructure, and more agents – when the border will be impenetrable.
"I think we have a day coming," he told Hannity. "I can't give you
Damn how come I feel so "nationally insecure"?
You can start by sending in Officers when these illegal aliens apply for Driver's Licenses, enroll their children into school, go to County Hospitals for medical treatment, and apply for Welfare payments.
Good point, I can just hear the spin now. "What the *&%$ does the conservative base want? They've been complaining that we're spending like drunken sailors but when we try to save a little money, they squeal!"
I think we have a day coming, too. So do the Minutemen and all the folks who support them.
Works for me.
Translation of English into English...
It will cost too much to catch and deport illegal immigrants.
There's no way in hell we're going to deport people we're doing our damndest to legalize each and every day. You rabid right wing extremists are some genuine a.h.s if you think we're going to honor the laws of our nation. Now stick it!
Sorry, this was just a rough translation. There may be an error or two.
Chertoff is waaaayyy over his head here. Time for the administration to shop for a DHS secretary that understands enforcement of immigration laws and border security. Sincerity in securing our borders is what is needed. Desperately needed.
Super! And locking the barn door securely after the cows are gone is another brilliant strategy!
I think it is time to "Punish the party in power" if that is what it takes to get the message across. If the Republicans lose in Congress they can write it off to appeasing Mexico. The American West and Southwest is PISSED!!!
Where there's a will, there's a way.
There simply is no will.
Cause if the answer to that question is "no," then the US is finished.
(steely)
Stopping wire transfers to emmigration countries would cost very little and have a major effect.
Sounds like money well spent to me.
Shhhh, don't give them any ideas. That sounds like a reasoned talking point from Chirtoff's office.
Would cost less and be a better investment than, say, the coming pension bailout.
This post will get about 300 replies, I predict.
I don't believe for a minute that Chertoff devised this plan. Obviously Chertoff is implementing a plan that was devised by his superiors. The whole border fiasco is turning off Republicans, including me.
It only requires enforcement on a few employers and jailing until deportation of a few illegals to convince the rest to leave.
Millions of people are controlled now by the threat of enforcement.
The Feds already know who they are and where they are..all those bad SS numbers that are sent in by employers.
5 Years in jail for presenting forged documents. That would help also..we need a nice big prison in the desert near Mexico.
You missed one small part. He also said the following:
Nya Nya, Nya, Nya Nya, Nyaaaaaaaah- pblblblblblblblbl
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