Posted on 05/23/2006 3:37:01 PM PDT by KyleM
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Tom Tancredo (R-CO), Chairman of the 97-member House Immigration Reform Caucus, expressed disappointment at Rep. Mike Pence’s policy shift on immigration reform. At a Heritage Foundation speech this afternoon, Pence presented what he called “a rational middle ground… between amnesty and mass deportation” that turns its back on a enforcement-first strategy, grants rogue employers amnesty, and would in effect reward illegal aliens for breaking the law.
“Mike Pence is making the same mistakes that the President has, using the straw man of mass deportations and redefining amnesty to suit his interests. Unfortunately, like the President, Pence is breaking from House conservatives who remain steadfast in their support of a security-first approach to immigration,” said Tancredo.
Pence’s plan would require illegal aliens to return to their home countries to apply for a new ‘W’ worker visa. Employers could hire as many foreign workers as they want under the W visa, and, in practice, they would likely hire the same workers who they employed illegally before. Pence wants to start the new foreign worker program before border security is even proved effective, which is the same strategy that was used in the 1986 amnesty. Twenty years later, the U.S. got amnesty as promised but no border security.
“Pence’s W visa is aptly named. It gives the Administration exactly what it wants: unlimited foreign workers first, enforcement later or never,” said Tancredo. “Pence’s plan is just the 1986 amnesty with a trip home tacked on.”
The Pence plan includes no prevailing wage standard for foreign workers—it simply relies on the good will of employers to “try to hire American workers” before offering jobs under the new foreign worker visa. In fact, almost all current visas require employers to offer the job to American workers before seeking foreign labor, but with no enforcement mechanism, the requirement is laughable.
“The House’s strategy in H.R. 4437 was to fix the illegal alien problem by enforcing the law. Over time, as illegal workers cannot obtain jobs, they go home because they have no other option open to them. Pence takes a much different approach: fix illegal behavior by legalizing it,” said Tancredo. “As a conservative and a friend of Mike Pence, I am baffled by his shift on immigration. I hope he reconsiders his position and returns to an enforcement-first position.”
Bump that
Actually, what PRND21 wrote is true.
"That is not AMNESTY"
It sure is, jail every employer of illeglas including homeowners and fine the hell out of them.
Cut off all social benefits to illegals.
No guest workers.
The illegals will self deport or die.
Seems reasonable to me.
Loser may be harsh, but I think it's fair to say someone leaned on him to float this trial balloon. Three guesses as to who?
No.
Tancredo's mental-health draft deferment during the Vietnam War.
EV, you're just sniffing around, trying to get a gig out of one of these guys.
Nah. Neither of these gentlemen are going to run, IMO.
"...avoided service in Vietnam by obtaining a medical deferment for mental health reasons."
Doesn't say exactly what that was. But I expect that anti-Tancredo losers to grasp any straw they can. Especially considering Tancredo's 2004 endorsement from the National Vietnam and Gulf War Veterans Association.
I'm torn. I like both of these men. What I have read of Pence's compromise seems mostly reasonable. I would add that no children born of illegals can be automatically made citizens. Then again I am smart enough to know that all of my views are not reasonable.
I have a question: Isn't Tancredo the only politician in the nation endorsing mass deportation?
Bump and mark for later
otherwise law-abiding illegal immigrants
Thanks. I think so.
Put up the fence, the full length, go after the employers agressavely, cut off all social benefits and make life so miserable for illegals that they will self deport.
I would be very curious to know your opinion on Pence's "compromise".You can tell me on private mail if you prefer.Thanks EV!
I'll accept a requirement that employers must verify the legal status of their employees followed by random worker status audits of 100 US businesses a day and a felony charge and severe fine against those outlaw employers who are found to be employing the illegals.
It's just that easy.
I want to se HR 4337 as bad as you, however I admit we are in a position where we will likely have to get what we can take. If they get nothing they win.
I don't know what it will mean since the president doesn't seem to have the testicular fortitude to carry out the law here.
Before anybody jumps me about this, Bush is just as open to criticism as anyone else. He has failed his responsibilities in regards to the border. If I did not say so I would be failing my responsibilities as a citizen.
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