Bush backs visas for illegal immigrants

theage.com ^ | November 30, 2005 | Michael Gawenda

[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."

[Mo1]

If illegal immigration has worsened under his watch, then what is there to be happy about? He has had 5 years to do something about it and he hasn't done a thing that has been effective.

That wasn't what I asked .. I asked if you listened to what he said yesterday

If he has done so much, then why is immigration worse under his watch? Maybe because he actually encourages it?

He hasn't encouraged it ... the bleeding heart liberals have

Especially the likes of the ACLU

[JeffAtlanta]

He hasn't encouraged it ... the bleeding heart liberals have Especially the likes of the ACLU

They both have and to be frank, in a lot of areas Bush is a liberal.

How can you say that Bush hasn't encouraged it? Have you not heard him repeat the mantra "mexicans are only doing jobs that americans won't do"?

[no-to-illegals]

every time our President mentions a reward to those
already here illegally....as in visas for those already
here....the border explodes with more illegals attempting
to get in....Border Agents have said such.

I don't want to argue with you...I only wish our President
would understand.

[Mo1]

I didn't hear him ask for federal legislation to build a fence. (He doesn't need it anyway.) Why did you infer that he did?

Maybe because you were too interesting in blocking your ears??

The legislation I signed last month provides $139 million to further upgrade the technology and bring a more unified, systematic approach to border enforcement. Again, I want to thank the members of the Congress. (Applause.)

In some places, the most effective way to secure the border is to construct physical barriers to entry. The legislation I signed last month includes $70 million to install and improve protective infrastructure across this border. In rural areas, we're funding the construction of new patrol roads to give our agents better access to the border, and new vehicle barriers to keep illegal immigrants from driving across the border.

In urban areas, we're expanding fencing to shut down access to human smuggling corridors. Secretary Chertoff recently used authority granted by the Congress to order the completion of a 14-mile barrier near San Diego that had been held up because of lawsuits. By overcoming endless litigation to finish this vital project we're helping our border agents do their job, and making people who live close to the border more secure.

Our actions to integrate manpower, technology and infrastructure are getting results. And one of the best examples of success is the Arizona Border Control Initiative, which the government launched in 2004. In the first year of this initiative -- now, listen to this, listen how hard these people are working here -- agents in Arizona apprehended nearly 500,000 illegal immigrants, a 42-percent increase over the previous year. We've captured a half-million pounds of marijuana, prosecuted more than 400 people suspected of human smuggling, and seized more than $7 million in cash. You've got some good folks here working hard to do their job, and I appreciate it very much. (Applause.)

[JeffAtlanta]

You believe that $70 million will build a fence to secure the southern border? Try $5 billion.

[rolling_stone]

encourage it? of course he has

Bush “Temporary Worker Proposal” Caused Increase in Illegal Immigrant Crossings, New Docs Show

http://www.judicialwatch.org/printer_5350.shtml

[Mo1]

How can you say that Bush hasn't encouraged it? Have you not heard him repeat the mantra "mexicans are only doing jobs that americans won't do"?

Because they are doing the jobs that Americans don't want to do

[JeffAtlanta]

Because they are doing the jobs that Americans don't want to do

So Americans have never engaged in agriculture, landscaping or painting before the Mexican immigrants came along?

[Plutarch]

I can see the lawsuits now, lining up for this very purpose.

Think of all the media attention given to the legal status of terrorist enemy combatants. What will be the legal classification of guest workers? They will get Workers Comp we know, and the Democrats will be falling all overthemselves to give them more rights than citizens have. Can't you just see the heart-rending stories on NPR of poor Jose and his darling wife and children, how they were exploited and need this Government remedy?

If enemy combatants have access to our courts, think of 13 million guest workers litigating against their deportation?

If they think they are going to be deported, the will want to grab some sort of claim before they go. Count on plenty of accidents.

[no-to-illegals]

I'm putting on a tagline

[Mo1]

every time our President mentions a reward to those already here illegally....as in visas for those already here....the border explodes with more illegals attempting to get in....Border Agents have said such

The reason why they are flooding our borders is because of the opportunity our country has to offer where their countries don't

Then there are the bleeding heart liberals that will protect them in the courts

I'm not saying I agree or am for it .. I'm not

I'm just pointing out why so many want to come here

[Mo1]

Judicial Watch ???

Oh please

[Mo1]

So Americans have never engaged in agriculture, landscaping or painting before the Mexican immigrants came along?

Did I say that ???

Nope .. don't recall that

However .. looking at today .. the present??

Yep .. there are many that won't do the work

Times have changed ... In my day, teenagers or college students would work many of these jobs to earn money

Now a days .. many don't because mommy and daddy pay their way and they don't have to work

[rolling_stone]

Judicial Watch ???

Oh please

What is your problem with Judicial Watch? Did you read the article?

[Mulch]

Because they are doing the jobs that Americans don't want to do

Oh Really? You just showed your true colors boy. Let me clue you in fella. This country would not and could not have attained superpower status in less that 150 years without people who will do any job necessary. Comprehende? Why don't you spend some time and bone up on some American history.

[no-to-illegals]

and all I'm saying is this must be done legally...
if people continue to come in illegally and we do
not concentrate our efforts...I promise you the
rule of law will break down as I and other see it
happening before our very eyes.....
there are other problems I can't even mention because
they concern national security and it pains me to
no end to see our President turn his head away from
this problem only to compound the problem with his
words....

I know not if you are a man or a woman, but you
should be, as I think you are, concerned for your
nation. We have reached near critical mass and
the Americans people did not ask for this situation.

[Mo1]

Oh .. and if mommy and daddy don't pick up the tab for not working .. the government will through welfare and social programs

Why work when you don't have to??

I don't agree with this and think it's wrong .. but do you see my point ??

[rolling_stone]

Now a days .. many don't because mommy and daddy pay their way and they don't have to work

Oh really? Could it be because there is too much cheap competition for those jobs from illegals working under the table, no workers com, taxes etc?

[Ben Hecks]

Carefully screen, ID, and document any new incoming "migrant workers".

What if we required anyone entering this country to post a $10,000 bond (the bond could be posted by the individual or the country of citizenship). The names of individuals violating their visa would be provided to registered bounty hunters who would be authorized to apprehend the individual and turn them over to authorities for deportation. The $10,000 bond money would be split - $8,000 to the bounty hunter and $2,000 to reimburse the government for administrative costs.

[Fruit of the Spirit]

"PRESIDENT George Bush has proposed offering the estimated 13 million illegal immigrants in the US three-year guest-worker visas. "

What?? They came here ILLEGALLY and he wants to allow them to stay and take American jobs? Some jobs have already gone to Mexico, so why can't they stay in their own country?

I did hear today that the Mexican Supreme Court has reversed its 1961 decision and will start deporting felons who have fled to Mexico for refuge.

It's about time we started getting some cooperation from the Mexican authorities.