Replies

What would President Reagan do? For one thing, he would not repeat the mistakes of the past, including those of his own administration. He knew that secure borders are vital, and would now insist on meeting that priority first. He would seek to strengthen the enforcement of existing immigration laws. He would employ new tools—like biometric technology for identification, and cameras, sensors and satellites to monitor the border—that make enforcement and verification less onerous and more effective. One idea President Reagan had at the time that we might also try improving on is to create a pilot program that would allow genuinely temporary workers to come to the United States—a reasonable program consistent with security and open to the needs and dynamics of our market economy. And what about those already here? Today it seems to me that the fair policy, one that will not encourage further illegal immigration, is to give those here illegally the opportunity to correct their status by returning to their country of origin and getting in line with everyone else. This, along with serious enforcement and control of the illegal inflow at the border—a combination of incentives and disincentives—will significantly reduce over time our population of illegal immigrants.

The open border minority will now crucify Ed Meese, who knew Reagan a LOT better than any of them. This should put the dumb question about Reagan to rest, but it won't just like they won't allow that border to be secured no matter how many facts and tragedies are thrown in front of them.

I agree with Ed Meese.

As I've mentioned many times on Free Republic, President Reagan didn't support open borders. Reagan said: "A nation without borders is not a nation." The IRCA of 1986 was meant to be a one time only amnesty deal. Period. Roughly 2.7-million illegals were granted amnesty. If Reagan were around today, he would take a far different position on the illegal immigration issue then he did 20 years ago.

Today we have 15 million illegals and maybe more, who are living and working in the US, while they break our laws and steal from the American people. When you consider the number of illegals in the US today, the poor results from the IRCA of 1986, the ongoing problems with open borders and the events of 9-11, I believe Reagan would conclude its time to take serious action that finally solves the problem once and for all.

Reagan would not support another blanket amnesty for illegals. Nor would he support Bush`s path to citizenship, AKA. backdoor amnesty. Reagan would want to assure the borders were secured and employers were punished for their hiring of illegals in direct violation of US law. I'm confident, Reagan would even support building a wall/fence barrier along the border with Mexico. Dangerous times require serious decisions be made.

From: The Reagan Presidential Library : Remarks on Signing the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 : November 6, 1986

"This bill, the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, that I will sign in a few minutes is the most comprehensive reform of our immigration laws since 1952. It's the product of one of the longest and most difficult legislative undertakings in the last three Congresses. Further, it's an excellent example of a truly successful bipartisan effort. The administration and the allies of immigration reform on both sides of the Capitol and both sides of the aisle worked together to accomplish these critically important reforms to control illegal immigration.

"In 1981 this administration asked the Congress to pass a comprehensive legislative package, including employer sanctions, other measures to increase enforcement of the immigration laws, and legalization. The act provides these three essential components.

"Future generations of Americans will be thankful for our efforts to humanely regain control of our borders and thereby preserve the value of one of the most sacred possessions of our people: American citizenship. "