Posted on 06/07/2006 7:46:22 AM PDT by Reaganwuzthebest
LAREDO - In a parking lot of the Border Patrol headquarters three miles from the dividing line with Mexico, President Bush on Tuesday accused his opponents in the immigration battle of stirring up fear with false claims about amnesty.
"Look, if you're one of these types of people that basically say, you know, throw them out, then you just use the word 'amnesty,' just toss it around," Bush said. "In order to frighten people, you just say 'amnesty.' "
Standing with Gov. Rick Perry after a tour of the Laredo Border Patrol Sector's video surveillance program, Bush stepped up his criticism of lawmakers back in Washington balking at his call to create a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants who have lived in the country for years.
It was a fine line Bush tried to walk. Earlier in the day, at a tour of the Border Patrol training facility in New Mexico, Bush struck conciliatory tones and said both sides in the debate have more common ground than differences.
"I know when you watch your television or listen to the radio it seems like there's nothing but disagreement on immigration policy in Washington," Bush told Border Patrol agents in Artesia, N.M. "Yet there's a growing consensus ... that fundamental reforms are needed."
Looking for middle ground
Bush was in Laredo as part of a two-day trip highlighting immigration issues, as Congress prepares to iron out the differences between somewhat contradictory measures passed in the House and Senate.
"There's no question this is a difficult issue for some in Washington, D.C., but my job is to continue calling people to account," Bush said.
He supports a Senate bill that includes a guest worker program, tougher border enforcement and a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants who have spent years in the U.S., with a requirement that they pay fines and back taxes and show a proficiency in English.
Both of Texas' Republican senators, Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn, voted against the legislation.
"The failures of the 1986 amnesty live on today, and we will need to work very hard to avoid a repeat of those mistakes," Cornyn said Tuesday as lawmakers returned to Capitol Hill. "My hope is that this summer we'll find a middle ground solution that controls illegal immigration and addresses the 12 million illegal immigrants without granting amnesty."
Last December, the House passed a bill that would make it a felony to enter the country illegally or to help those that do. The bill would also increase border security and strictly enforce immigration laws.
To build support for his guest worker and citizenship proposals, Bush has taken a tough stand on the law and order aspects of border enforcement, including calling for more walls and fencing along heavily trafficked areas of the border.
Rep. Henry Cuellar, a Democrat from Laredo, said residents in his community want protection — but not a wall.
"I think people feel that, when it comes to border security, we say 'heck yes,' " Cuellar said. "But when the discussion turns to building a wall, that's a big no."
Chatting with the locals
Laredo, with a population that is 94.9 percent Hispanic, is the most Hispanic city in the United States, according to the Census Bureau.
Cuellar said that generally, he hears support from his constituents for a requirement that new immigrants learn English. There is also concern, he says, about a threat to jobs from continued illegal immigration.
"They want a guest worker plan, but with controls," he said. "They want security, but they don't want to see Minutemen."
While in Laredo, Bush made two unscheduled stops, pulling the motorcade over on a main commercial street to visit briefly with schoolchildren, and stopping at a Mexican-style barbecue joint to meet with residents and border guards.
"¿Como estas?" Bush greeted patrons at Cotulla's, a restaurant decorated with deer heads. "You know your governor?" he asked, gesturing at Perry.
"Howdy," Perry said, greeting a family having dinner.
Such encounters, carefully planned but unannounced, are part of a larger White House strategy to remind Americans why they once liked him so much and use his personal popularity to help sell a controversial immigration program.
Ray Keck, president of Texas A&M University International in Laredo, said he supports much of Bush's plan, but thinks more economic help for Mexico also would ease illegal immigration woes.
"We are heartened by the president's plan. We must look for a policy that would allow these people to become legal, tax-paying residents, a profitable part of our national workforce," Keck said.
Maybe a separate thread that solicits input from our great FReeper network to fashion an anti-amnesty position that covers all bases.....there must be no stone left unturned.
That sounds like an excellent idea, if you want to start one be sure to put me on any ping list you might have.
Maybe some more good news from National Review and Lowry, who always seems to get a hold of the latest inside information:
"From a Republican congressman: House Republicans are even more determined not to compromise, since the Bilbray victory is being interpreted in light of immigration. “The position of the conference is even more hardline.” His guess is that “there's not going to be a bill.” Certainly “nothing involving amnesty and legalization.”
I especially like this line:
"He's not impressed with Bush's pro-enforcement push. Bush is clearly just thinking “how much do we have to give these crazy Neanderthals to make them happy.”
:) It appears Bush doesn't have many friends in the House at the moment.
OK----will do.
Bilbray has already joined Tancredo's Immigration Reform Caucus, becoming its 98th member. He is with us all the way on immigration and borders, way to go California.
Wasn't Bush ever told "No" as a kid? He could care less about American workers who could never compete in a guestworker shamnesty program that would bring in millions of foreign workers (from everywhere, not just Mexico) to compete against them. I have never seen a President who does so much to harm the people he is suppose represent and to put all his capital on the line for foreigners (or corporations) whom he is suppose to not represent. I totally question his loyalty to Americans.
What makes Bush so in love with anything Mexican?
I got a call today from a political poll asking one question, whether I approved or disapproved of President Bush's job....call was oddly from Political Call Center, Tempe, Arizona (I live in San Diego)..nice timing just after Bilbray's big ANTI AMNESTY WIN....too bad they didn't ask my opinion about McCain too LOL, I could have gotten two gooney birds with one call....
Man, this completely mirrors the Dem spin on the special election.
When Bush is siding with Ted Kennedy, and the WSJ is sounding like the DNC, you would think both would re-think their stance on this issue. Apparently they are more concerned with keeping the supply of cheap labor coming than in winning elections.
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