Posted on 07/26/2006 1:03:16 PM PDT by radar101
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Tom Tancredo (R-CO), Chairman of the 104-member House Immigration Reform Caucus, expressed disappointment at Rep. Mike Pence’s latest iteration of his immigration plan that he announced at a press conference this morning with Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison. Pence has announced at least two prior versions of his immigration proposal, and this morning’s version continues to include a “guest” worker plan that does not require “guest” workers ever to leave the U.S., while at the same time it allows them to bring their families. The plan allows employers and private temporary work agencies – both of which have economic incentives to keep the flow of foreign labor coming – to determine the number of foreign workers who will be admitted into the U.S. for the first three years of the plan.
“Having employers which have already broken the law determine the number of cheap foreign workers that will be admitted into the U.S. is a classic example of the fox guarding the hen house,” said Tancredo. “I have never had a guest who, after staying awhile, demanded to move into my house permanently. No plan that allows temporary workers to stay permanently is a ‘guest’ worker plan.”
Background on Support for Pence Immigration Plan
Pence has touted support for his prior plans from some “conservative” pundits and various editorial boards. However upon closer examination, the pundits and editorial boards which have endorsed the Pence plan have also supported positions at odds with the vast majority of House Republicans, including blanket amnesty and massive foreign worker plans. Even Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, who is co-authoring the new Pence plan, sponsored a failed amendment this year to offer unlimited guest worker visas to any industry which claims it has a “shortage” of workers.
Pence touts former Rep. Dick Armey:
“It's going to take a little bit of work to get the House over the hump of stubbornness over what they passed earlier. But I think if you take the Pence idea, introduce it in the process, I think you can get someplace."
The fact is:
Armey headed a multi-million dollar effort on behalf of big businesses to push President Bush’s amnesty plan, known as “Americans for Border and Economic Security.” (“Immigration Rising on Bush's To-Do List”, L.A. Times, 7/24/05). As a Member of Congress he voted three times against eliminating a rolling amnesty for illegal immigrants, and he voted against a mandatory worksite verification program.
Pence touts the Wall Street Journal’s John Fund:
“That's why it's good news that the glimmer of a workable compromise surfaced this week, courtesy of Rep. Mike Pence of Indiana… Mr. Pence, proud grandson of an Irish immigrant, says the only bill that can pass in this year's hothouse environment may have to be one that couples stiffer border enforcement with a no-amnesty guest-worker program.
The fact is:
In the same editorial Pence cites, Fund says, “The Pence bill is too heavy on discredited enforcement methods for my taste…”
Pence received praise from the Manhattan Institute’s Tamar Jacoby:
She described the Pence plan as a “middle ground.”
The fact is:
Jacoby is one of the most well-known defenders of blanket illegal alien amnesty and a massive new foreign worker plan. In a Weekly Standard op-ed, she wrote, “If a worker wants to remain in the United States and demonstrates his seriousness by taking steps to assimilate, the law should make it possible for him to stay. With these principles clear, it is a short step to the notion of ‘earned legalization,’ a new approach gaining credence in Congress that could get around the shortcomings of both amnesty and guest-worker programs.” (1/28/2002)
Pence received praise from the Wall Street Journal Editorial Board:
In a recent lead editorial, it called the Pence plan “a way out of [the Republican] political mess.” (“The Tancredo Republicans,” 6/23/06)
The fact is:
The WSJ Ed Board is a consistent supporter of amnesty. In that same editorial, they said: “No serious person believes that the 11 million or so illegals already in America will be deported. Nor will these illegals come out of the shadows unless there is some kind of process that allows them to become legal and keep their jobs, even if it falls short of a path to citizenship. And immigrants will keep coming illegally in search of a better life unless there is some legal way they can apply for and find work.”
Pence touts the Dallas Morning News Editorial Board:
“Some House conservatives indicate they could back a bill that doesn't completely mirror the get-tough-on-Mexico plan they approved in December. For instance, GOP Rep. Mike Pence recently presented a guest worker alternative… While we don't embrace the particulars of his plan, it's good to see a leading House conservative propose broader answers. Without ideas like his, House negotiators will stick narrowly to more agents, technologies and fences.” (5/31/06)
The fact is:
In a Sunday lead editorial (3/26/06) which is solely in support of the Senate Judiciary bill:
“Committee members have a chance to fill a gaping hole in America's security net – and not create a new one in our economy – by approving a guest worker program for immigrants and a plan for once-illegal immigrants to earn U.S. citizenship.”
“What the proposed Judiciary Committee plan would do is create a workable, flexible and, most important, enforceable approach to immigration.”
Pence touts the Indianapolis Star Editorial Board:
“Pence, like many fellow conservatives, calls for much tighter border security and a crackdown on employees who hire illegal immigrants… But what's different about his plan is that it would create a legal and realistic means for guest workers to match up with U.S. employers. Under Pence's proposal, the federal government would license private firms to set up 'Ellis Island Centers' in the nations most likely to supply labor to the U.S. Employers would contract with the firms to find workers, who would be required to pass a background check and health screening before receiving a visa."(5/31/06)
The fact is:
In the same editorial that Pence cites, the Star advocates for an even more lenient “guest” worker plan than Pence offers:
“Admittedly, Pence's plan begins to break down with a second provision that would require the nation's 12 million existing illegal immigrants to return to their nations of origin to apply for visas. Attempting to accommodate a migration on that scale would be unwieldy in the extreme.”
Pence: Prostituting to the highest bidder
--And there's good ole KBH standing at his side and agreeing with him. I still haven't figured out a lot she has done for TX in all her years of being there, although she is right on the 2A!
You are talking about one of the most conservative members of Congress. If he is "prostituting" Tancredo is pimping. He does not want the border issue resolved if it was he would not have an issue to raise funds with.
I think Reagan's 11th Commandment, that thou shalt not speak ill of a fellow Republican, is about to be shredded like one of saddam's prisoners after he was thrown into a wood chipper.
mark
You must not live in an Illegal infested area!
I would rather have no resolution than the version out there which would lead to millions and million of illegals in the end. Who will pay for these people's health care, schooling, foodstamps etc? The tax payer should not subsidize business period. If employer's want these people, then take responsibility for them.
Why is Pence such a phoney?
bttt
She votes the right way. And generally keeps her mouth shut. Judging from this abortion, I can see that that's a good thing.
Those soft on illegal immigration say it's just too difficult to enforce immigration laws.
But. . .
Within a very short time after 9/11, one of the widows was notified that, since her husband had died, she, the widow, would have to return to her native country.
I have a friend who married a guy from New Zealand. It took him two years to be allowed into the US. So, they had the ability to keep this couple separated for two years, but we can't find a way to enforce other immigration laws.
I don't know what all the obstacles were with my friend, but you can imagine how utterly enraged this all can make you when people can sneak across the border and then get preferential treatment over those who are obeying the law.
My CONgressMAN follows a similar strategy.......he's all out in front on flag burning & stemcells, etc. but he's totally AWOL on critical issues such as Ill. Imm.
Amen.
The fact is: Pence's plan is AMNESTY!
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