Posted on 07/13/2006 6:30:43 AM PDT by conservativecorner
WASHINGTON -- Tighter borders and workplace enforcement alone will not solve the country's problem with illegal immigration and may make the situation worse by driving millions of people deeper in the shadows, U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez said Wednesday.
In testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee on behalf of the Bush administration, the Cuban-born Gutierrez backed the Senate's comprehensive approach combining border security and new employer enforcement measures with a plan that gives many of the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants a path to citizenship.
"The more this issue becomes one of enforcement only, we are driving them (illegal immigrants) further and further underground," Gutierrez said, adding it was important to bring illegals out of the shadows "so we know who they are."
Wednesday's session was one of a number of dueling hearings being held by the Senate and U.S. House of Representatives in a battle to win public support for vastly different immigration reform bills ahead of the November congressional elections.
The House-passed bill focuses solely on border security and enforcement and further criminalizes illegal presence in the United States. A solid group of House Republicans oppose the Senate bill, calling it an amnesty that rewards people who broke U.S. law.
Mindful of the growing political clout of Hispanic voters, President Bush backs a comprehensive approach along the lines of the Senate bill. But House leaders Wednesday said they are winning the battle.
"I think the hearings have been an absolute success and they've put us in a stronger position to craft a responsible bill that secures our borders and strictly enforces our immigration laws," said House Majority Leader John Boehner, an Ohio Republican.
The House already has held a number of hearings around the country stressing border security issues and Boehner said more will be held through August.
It is unclear the Senate and House will be able to settle their differences and send a final bill to Bush before the November elections. The two bodies have held no formal negotiating sessions but lawmakers have been discussing possible compromises behind the scenes.
House leaders say the Senate is shifting to their point of view. A number of senators oppose the House's enforcement only approach but some said they are discussing a phased approach that would put border security and enforcement measures in place before a guest worker and other legalization programs go into effect.
Who cares? The bill is dead. Everyone but the Antis knows it. The House Republicans killed it. Their hearings around the country are driving a stake thru it's heart.
We know WHO they are, and we know WHERE they are. It's WHAT you are going to do about it, which as of now is to reward them for breaking the law by giving them and their law breaking employers a free pass and a bunch of bennies.
I am glad that you are so positive the bill is dead. I am not. I think that they are gonna pass something eventually.
Yeah, the American people don't want it but it seems everyone who works for government does and big business does. All the special interests want amnesty.
I just don't have enough faith in our politicians to think that the politicians will do what the American people want and do what's right for America. I think eventually they will cave under all the above pressures. They will compromise and pass some kind of amnesty that "really isn't an amnesty".
I hope I am wrong.
NewsMax is about a credible a source as WorldNetDaily.... they are partisans too, just like the New York Times and CBS.... they decide, then report.
Did he say he supported the Senate bill, or did he say he supported a comprehensive approach?
Big difference between the two. Knowing Newscrap's propensity for misleading headlines, I'm sure it is the latter.
This was a reuters report. Did you happen to look before posting?
NewsMax has a habit of rewriting and/or embelishing reports off the legitimate wires -- they used to do it to UPI all the time.
I hope you are right, but I am still a wee bit leery as evidenced by the "White House" (read GWB) "encouraging?" first, Gen Pace, now Secretary Gutierrez to testify in support of this Shamnesty Bill.
Who will be next in W's shameless pandering to our guilt complex (as we all have immigrant ancestors) in testifying? His former Mexican housekeeper while Gov. of Texas, Maria Galvin?
Say what you will, W desperately wants this bill and wants the Senate version and he is doing whatever he can to keep it alive. Our only hope is that the House, will not cave.
Can't wait till I'm looking at the current administration in the rear view mirror.
Did they do it this time, or are you assuming something which may be untrue?
You want to jump on my for assuming something which may be untrue... 'scuse me, there is a mr. pot on the phone for you
What a shock, "the Cuban-born Gutierrez" (Carlos), backs legislation that would allow illegals to stay.
He couldn't possibly have any sort of vested interest could he?
On the plains of hesitation lie the bones of millions,
Who upon the verge of victory paused,
And while resting .......
Died.
When the current session of Congress is over, then the bill is dead, not before.
"Tighter borders and workplace enforcement alone will not solve the country's problem with illegal immigration and may make the situation worse by driving millions of people deeper in the shadows, U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez said Wednesday."
Hmmmm. Carlos Gutierrez. Hmmm. Gutierrez. Hmmm.
I wonder if he would have the same opinion if his name was Olson or McDuffey or Romano or Slobinsky or Chin or Patel or Goldberg or Lincoln, or Schultz?????
Hmmm.
Is there some kind of "ethnic" test to become an appointee of the Bush II administration???
Hmmm.
You'll note the only thing changed and/or altered was that 'Commerce's Gutierrez' was used in lieu of 'Commerce secretary' in the HL:
Commerce secretary backs US Senate immigration billOh and NewsMax has it dated today when Rooters (sic) published it yesterday.
Rooters (sic) Wed Jul 12, 2006 2:58pm ET
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