I don't agree with amnesty. But, in my view, even if the borders are firmly secured (and they should be), 12 million illegals are not going to be deported, at once or over time, back to Mexico.
So what do you do with them? As far as I am concerned, some kind of guest worker program or citizenship or something is an absolute requirement.
The best thing to do for the GOP would be to secure the borders this year, then debate this next year.
But, I can tell you, without an election hanging over their heads, a citizenship program will be a certainty from Congress.
Oh, and I am 100% opposed to turning employers and business owners into ICE agents. If somebody is in this country, I ought to be able to hire them, based on MY criteria. Requiring me, under threat of prison, to make certain that his SS number matches up with the latest database that may or may not be accurate will make me think twice about hiring any Hispanic-looking person, legal or illegal.
Bottom line: those of you who are absolutely opposed to making some provision for illegals currently in the country, and their families, are unrealistic and are inevitably going to be disappointed.
Thank you for giving your honest opinion.
I guess I don't understand why, if you "don't agree with amnesty", you are willing to give in or go along with it instead of fighting to prevent it? That's why I asked about whether or not you were just going along because of some loyalty to Bush (who says it isn't amnesty, but it is amnesty, and insults my intelligence in saying so). Why not find and support other Republicans who are also against it?
Perhaps there is no way to 'deport' 12 million illegals (probably much higher), but if we do what we should have been doing all along......the border is secured, laws are enforced, jobs and benefits (housing, cash, food stamps, medicaid) dry up and they risk arrest for being here illegally.......what choice will they have but to go home? They'll deport themselves. Or are you afraid if Bush/Congress don't meet their demands, they will start their Revolucion?
With an election hanging over their heads, shouldn't a certainty be effectively securing our borders and enforcing our immigration laws?
I guess I'm a fighter and I just don't get giving in so easily for ANY reason.