Savoring our Small Victory and Holding Our Collective Breath for the Next Wave
Together we stopped three unacceptable measures in the U.S. Senate last week— two egregious amnesty proposals and one that would have doubled the number or legal immigrants. We forced cloture votes on the Specter Amnesty, Hagel-Martinez (actually the Specter Amnesty dressed up in new clothes) and the Frist proposal. Take a bow and catch your breath. You worked hard by calling district offices and making your voices louder than the illegal aliens marching in our streets waving the flags of foreign countries. We all get to take a moment to savor the small victory.
Okay, the moment is over and we must get ready to go at it again.
As Congress goes into the two week Easter recess period, illegal aliens are protesting in cities around the nation. Illegal aliens and their supporters are attempting to play upon the emotions of the American people and take advantage of our compassion. At the same time they are demanding “rights” to an amnesty. But their efforts are backfiring—they are awakening the sleeping American giant—the 80 percent who believe it is unfair to give rights to illegal aliens. These protests are an overt sign our side is winning the debate.
The Senate Implodes Over Immigration
The Specter/Bush amnesty proposal began to fall apart early last week. However, the Senate did not want to return home with nothing accomplished. Senators rushed to find a new solution or “compromise” that would fool the American public, pass the chamber and release them from the contentious issue well before November elections. When the Senate emerged from closed door meetings, they announced they had reached a “compromise.” Senators Hagel and Martinez took pleasure in touting their plan that would satisfy the majority needed to pass such legislation. Yet, when the “compromise” was revealed, it was nothing but the Specter/Bush amnesty in segmented form. It also included a large increase in employment-based visas.
These protests are also a sign of the desperation of the Bush Administration, ethnic lobbies and their greedy corporate allies that the will of the American people is not faltering. We will not reward those who break our laws by granting amnesty.
Heads Up!
Chairman Specter Will Tackle Immigration Again April 24
Chairman Specter vowed to revisit the immigration issue when the Senate returns from their two week recess. Since the Senate could not pass his amnesty proposal, his committee will once again markup legislation to address the nation’s immigration crisis. FAIR will keep a watchful eye on the committee’s proceedings and alert FAIR members on the developing legislation.