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.
I got stopped for speeding once. I had to pay a fine. I guess that was "amnesty."
The penalty for a speeding ticket is a fine you did not get amnesty.
Isn't that swell! Well maybe Bush will even help Mr. PESO build his 600 mile oasis for the border-jumpers to rest and recoup before descending upon TEXAS. Oh, Bush's ranch is there. My, oh, my. Maybe he'll invite them for tea...
We've known for 40 years that the borders aren't secure, I guess that's a "growing consensus".
If we don't demonstrably control the border before giving amnesty, almost overnight we will have 20 million illegal Mexicans instead of 12 million.
Oh wait, what does this mean? You mean if someone pays a fine right now, under our laws, that they can still be deported or imprisoned? It sure looks like that. So, this scamnesty plan wherein the border intruder can pay a pittance of a fine and avoid deportation or imprisonment is still amnesty despite the payment of the fine.
To hell with Bush, no citizenship for any illegal ever!!!!
What else do you expect from these globalists. The elites want this & since they own CONgress we will see the next batch of these pols pushing this. Except for three individuals that ran for president (Reagan - Buchanan - Nader) all others are compromised/bought & paid for pols. That is why the elitists villify these 3 so much.
I agree that way we can get rid of him. Let see what Perry has done so far in Texas. Ladies say he looks pretty on TV. You have now seen the complete list.
And just how fair would that be? They remain in the US, living under our laws, working at American jobs, living an American lifestyle, while those who have obeyed the law are in their own countries waiting. No, it's NOT fair and it's NOT a decent punishment for breaking the law.
The ONLY way they should be able to apply for citizenship is by going back to their own countries and getting in line behind those who have been doing it the right way all along. Otherwise, we reward lawbreakers and punish those who obey the law.
From all reports I've heard that 20 million will blossom to over 100 million in fairly short order with their birthrate, chain migration and increased illegal border crossers. We're seeing a policy of national suicide being created right before our very eyes.
His "path to citizenship" is a dusty, unguarded trail littered with diapers,bottles, and assorted
garbage leading from MX to the US.
The penalty for speeding is a fine, so you received no amnesty.
Look at the Cali race Mr. President.
The Republican won solely on a campaign embracing the House approach, and his only real fright was that an even tougher enforcement individual took some votes.
We don't want what you are pushing, so stop it already.
There fixed it!
Did you have to go to court to pay the fine, or did they send the judge to your house?
Did you get to continue speeding after you were stopped or did the officer ask you how long you had been breaking the law because if you'd been speeding long enough there would be no penalty?
Did your permanent driving record get noted with the fact that you were speeding or did your insurance company just blow off the fact that you break the law?
Border Ping!
Illegals are not all MEXICANS, Presidente Bush!
Correct, they don't even talk about the millions who arrived from all over the world then never left when their visas expired. They'll be getting amnesty as well if this Senate scam passes.
I think a better driving analogy would be you get pulled over for an offense that can lead to you losing your license. You get a deal where you pay a fine but keep your license.
The illegals could care less about a fine - most paid a lot of money to get here. They want to stay here and reap a reward for coming here illegally - namely, a path to citizenship. That is the real prize. So what Bush and the Senate is offering is truly amnesty, because the illegals will get the big enchilada.
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