Posted on 11/29/2005 7:21:12 PM PST by 11th_VA
PRESIDENT George Bush has proposed offering the estimated 13 million illegal immigrants in the US three-year guest-worker visas.
Mr Bush said his plan did not amount to an amnesty for illegal migrants, almost 1 million of whom are estimated to enter the US from Mexico each year.
In a speech in Tucson, Arizona, near the Mexican border, he said illegal immigration was "a serious challenge and our responsibility is clear — to protect the border.
"The American people should not have to choose between a welcoming society and a lawful society," he said. "We can have both at the same time."
Under the proposal, the visas could be renewed for another three years if the migrants returned to their country of origin to apply.
Mr Bush announced his visa plan after saying that his Administration would beef up security along the 3200-kilometre border with Mexico and introduce the automatic detention of non-Mexican illegal immigrants, most of them from Central America, who in the past have been picked up, charged with immigration offences and then set free.
"When the date arrives for them to appear, 75 per cent of those released don't show up in court," he said.
"This practice of catch and release has been the government's policy for decades. It is an unwise policy and we're going to end it."
The Republican Party is divided over the issue of illegal migrants.
The vast majority of illegal immigrants enter the US from Mexico with the help of organised rings or family members and friends already in America. Hundreds die each year attempting the crossing from Mexico into Arizona, many of them from the harsh conditions in the desert.
The business wing of the Republican Party has lobbied hard for another amnesty on illegal immigrants, arguing that the economy would be badly damaged if there were a serious attempt to send back to Mexico millions of people who are prepared to do the jobs that Americans are not willing to do.
The illegal immigrants form the majority of America's 2 million farm workers and a significant proportion of construction labourers and service industry workers. They are mainly paid just above the minimum wage and generally do not receive health care or pension benefits. The US offered illegal migrants an amnesty in 1986 during the Reagan administration, when 3 million applied.
But the numbers arriving over the past decade have grown, leaving many Americans alarmed.
Polls have consistently shown that more than 65 per cent of Americans, most of them Republican voters, view illegal immigration as a top-ranking issue and a danger to US security.
With polls showing his support at a record low, Mr Bush has shifted ground on immigration since a key speech in January in which he said illegal immigrants were of fundamental importance to the US economy and deserved the chance to try to better themselves and their families and to become Americans.
The US Congress has spent much of this year battling to come up with an immigration bill that would receive majority support, but congressional leaders announced in October that the immigration debate would be adjourned until early next year.
Most conservative Republicans, especially in border states such as Arizona and Texas, are likely to reject Mr Bush's work visa proposal for illegal immigrants, which many see as a back-door amnesty.
Texas senator Kay Bailey, who represents the views of many Republicans in Congress, said illegal immigrants should be sent home before they could apply for guest-worker visas.
"We have to reward people who come legally and we do need certain types of workers," she said. "But we have to know who is in this country."
Ok I'll bite
If we can't get them out of the woodwork and make them legal then Bush's plan is a failure anyway.
What we need to do is eliminate the draw to this country.
1Eliminate anchor babies
2 Make a counterfeit proof identification/social security card for all aliens. If need be add in citizens.
3 Warn employers that sanctions will be enforced and that all employees will be checked.
4. Warn all illegals to leave the country within 3 months or face formal deportation and ineligibility for any new guest worker program.
5 Challenge the law (decision)giving illegal children the right to a free education (circumstances have changed dramatically since that decision
6 Federal law prohibiting driver's license or other priveledges for illegals
7 Eliminate foreign aid to countries that entice illegal immigration.
8 If illegals are leaving begin planning an aboveboard guest worker plan:
One year at a time, must return home at end of year. No families Single people only females get pregnant must return home. Employers to pay all benefits and bond to guarantee each employee returns at end of contract. All Jobs must be offered to US citizens first at pre-illegal immigration rates or higher.
First thing to do is have the President of the US say enough is enough we will not reward illegals with amnesty or a guest worker program, and tell them to go home. (LOL yeah right Bush'll do it)
Tancredo's plan is similar, calls for enforcement before any guest workers.
I submit to you, it's not possible. Today or any day. I know that the approach Bush and past presidents has taken were responsible for this mess, but there is simply no easy fix. I would support a complete sealing of the Border with walls, fences or whatever. But, we're never going to get 13 million people out.. Our only option is to make them legal residents who become subject to behaviorial discipline, finacial responsibility OR deportation.
Easy Fix? No it takes desire. I see you give up, what other laws should we abandon?
A resident alien, or guest worker CAN be deported if they violate laws
Then why can't one who entered illegally be deported?
Not at all. How about these ideas:
5 billion is what it costs California taxpayers every year to support illegal aliens in this state. We not only need a wall, but we need a President who will actually enforce the laws already on the books. Bush hasn't, and won't.
We are working on that
Place National Guard and Air Guard units on border areas for training and security enhancement working with BP and ICE
Can the President put the guard on the borders .. I thought that falls to the Governors of the States?
Even still .. we would then have to build bases down there
Not saying it couldn't be done .. but would take time
Arm up, protect and train the BP with tactics against human traffickers
We are .. did you listen to his speech .. 3500 were added to BP
All costs associated with Healthcare, Education, Incarceration and Deportation of illegal aliens be borne by the country of origin.
Congress would have to pass that legislation
Any entity that hires an illegal alien knowingly (equipped with tools to verify immigration status) loses its business license and ability to conduct business for 5 years.
That would put alot of people out of business and or encourage more businesses to out source to other countries
note...
Congress will have to declare War....
for all I care they can declare War on Radical Islam.
By declaring War, certain things can be done which will
help us clear the nation of illegals.
This situation has gone on for far too long....
The alligator may eat us, but I'll be damned if I don't
try to kill the alligator first.
Dear Congress, Dear Mr. President.....
Can you hear us?
We love this country too!
When was this proposal submitted to the Congress? I must have missed it.
Read the Article and tell me one quote attributed to the President that said one thing about visas. You people see something on the Internet with a misleading headline and go nuts.
As to the purported subject of the story this article is pure speculation.
So why don't the governors put the guard down there???
Border enforcement is the resposibility of the Executive branch of the federal government.
Well .. it would seem to me that this isn't just a Fed problem ... but also a State problem
Meaning that the Feds can't just come in and take control of states and the states can't enforce without fed help
The responsibility for border enforcement is federal.
thank you for making that point....
"can't enforce without fed help"
that has been exactly the words I
should have said, over and over in
this thread....
thank you
OK .. and the Feds are helping the states
My question is .. what are the states doing to help the Feds .. or better yet to help themselves??
Congress should now declare War....
The states will be forced to follow Federal Authority.
Why don't we act like we want to win this war?
Declaring War will force the hands of States.....
They shall have to Be with us or against us......
just as has been eluded to all along.
on the States???
Could you please take your meds
From the transcript:
As we enforce our immigration laws, comprehensive immigration reform also requires us to improve those laws by creating a new temporary worker program. This program would create a legal way to match willing foreign workers with willing American employers to fill jobs that Americans will not do. Workers would be able to register for legal status for a fixed period of time, and then be required to go home. This program would help meet the demands of a growing economy, and it would allow honest workers to provide for their families while respecting the law. This plan would also help us relieve pressure on the border. By creating a legal channel for those who enter America to do an honest day's labor, we would reduce the number of workers trying to sneak across the border. This would free up law enforcement officials to focus on criminals, drug dealers, terrorists and others that mean to harm us. Our plan would create a tamper-proof identification card for the temporary legal worker, which, of course, would improve work site enforcement.
Listen, there's a lot of opinions on this proposal -- I understand that. But people in this debate must recognize that we will not be able to effectively enforce our immigration laws until we create a temporary worker program. The program that I proposed would not create an automatic path to citizenship, it wouldn't provide for amnesty -- I oppose amnesty. Rewarding those who have broken the law would encourage others to break the law and keep pressure on our border. (Applause.)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1530130/posts
Ok he didn't use the word VISA but tamper proof id card (VISA)
Our plan would create a tamper-proof identification card for the temporary legal worker, which, of course, would improve work site enforcement.
He also said no amnesty but there it is legal status for workers, but no automatic path to citizenship..LOL...that's like saying ok you broke the law but you can't vote or run for President but you can stay and work and not go home. Oh and as for you shmucks who waited to get in legally tough luck.
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