Amnesty by Any Other Name...(Edwin Meese)

New York Times ^ | 5/24/06 | Edwin Meese III

[blitzgig]

IN the debate over immigration, "amnesty" has become something of a dirty word. Some opponents of the immigration bill being debated in the Senate assert that it would grant amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants. Supporters claim it would do no such thing. Instead, they say, it lays out a road map by which illegal aliens can earn citizenship.

Perhaps I can shed some light. Two decades ago, while serving as attorney general under President Ronald Reagan, I was in the thick of things as Congress debated the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. The situation today bears uncanny similarities to what we went through then.

In the mid-80's, many members of Congress — pushed by the Democratic majority in the House and the Select Commission on Immigration and Refugee Policy — advocated amnesty for long-settled illegal immigrants. President Reagan considered it reasonable to adjust the status of what was then a relatively small population, and I supported his decision.

[dirtboy]

And there proved to be a failure of political will in enforcing new laws against employers.

And this is the real problem underlying this debate.

[Bikers4Bush]

Anyone got a user name and password for the link?

[skeeter]

Hm. In who's administration did Ed Meese serve as Attorney General?

[Berlin_Freeper]

It is foolish to think that ALL illegals offered US citizenship would even accept it.

My parents immigrated to the US (legally) from Europe in the 1950's and neither of them ever become US citizens but rather neutralized citizens that is limited in ways such as they had no right to vote.

I would be that up to 80% of illegals offered the right to become full US citizens never even do so because their prime motive was economic not dreams of nationality.

So I think we can take that specific hysterics off the table.

[DumpsterDiver]

You could give these a try. From bugmenot.com: nytimes passwords

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[Lokibob]

You are absolutely right.

Employers want cheap labor for themselves and the laws enforced against the competition.

I can not see the U.S. picking up 11,000,000 illegal aliens and shipping them back, and in addition, another 25,000,000 wives and kids. I think we are stuck with them. the only answer is to stem the tide of the new crop.

To do that, we need to kill the incentive for the migrants to come here.

[Bikers4Bush]

Excellent, thanks.

[TomGuy]

Mind-muddle phrase:

Tony Snow -- It isn't amnesty -- Linguistic Precision

[Bikers4Bush]

The more I read about this horrific legislation coming out of the senate the more I think it's time for another tea party.

[blaquebyrd]

Reagan's of course. Great article Meese tells it like it is and calls anyone who says this isn't amnesty a liar. He also points out how the illegals don't "go to the back of the line", because this amnesty scam doesn't make it a requirement to apply from country of origin. President Bush consistently repeats this lie. As Meese points out legal applicants wait in line from their home country. I hope McCain doesn't attack Meese like he did Lou Dobbs, Rush Limbaugh and Micheal Savage, for "telling the truths our president refuses to tell".

[trubluolyguy]

Getting there. At least as far as the two current major political parties.

[trubluolyguy]

Great article Meese tells it like it is and calls anyone who says this isn't amnesty a liar.

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Which it is, and they are.

[Bikers4Bush]

I hop McCain does attack him, it will further show what a leftist piece of garbage he really is.

[trubluolyguy]

To do that, we need to kill the incentive for the migrants to come here.

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Hmmm, what is wrong with this sentence?

[Bikers4Bush]

Exactly, throw them both into the bay and start a political revolution.

Our only saving grace at this point is the house. We need to add seats there and start running the RINO's out of the senate one by one.

[SwordofTruth]

I can not see the U.S. picking up 11,000,000 illegal aliens and shipping them back

They don't have to be shipped back, just fine the employers hiring them and they will go back voluntarily. They have no right to break our laws and be rewarded with citizenship for doing so, no right whatsoever. The congress critters considering this and the president are not representing the citizens of this country at all.

[trubluolyguy]

Our only saving grace at this point is the house. We need to add seats there and start running the RINO's out of the senate one by one.

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Yep. I am willing to work within the party to affect change. At least until it no longer proves a viable option.

[MinuteGal]

Time to haul out Amnestea Bags and send them to our corrupted congressliars.

Leni