Martinez Says He’s Not Backing Down On Immigration Reform

TBO.com ^ | 2/27/07 | William March

[NormsRevenge]

Sen. Mel Martinez told the Tampa Tribune editorial board today that he’ll continue pressing for immigration reform, despite the criticism his prominent role in the issue got him from the conservative wing of his own party.

Martinez has proposed an “earned citizenship” program to deal with the millions of illegal immigrants now living and working in the country.

That would include such requirements as showing proficiency in English, passing citizenship tests and paying a fine or back taxes before illegals could get citizenship or some other “normalized” status.

But to conservatives who make up much of the GOP’s base, regardless of the requirements and penalties, such a proposal means “amnesty,” and Martinez has been blasted for favoring it.

Martinez said he put heavy penalties and requirements for earned citizenship in his bill last year, hoping to prevent the “amnesty” accusation. But now, he said, he realizes he can’t stop that accusation, so he’ll proceed regardless of the critics.

He even appeared to say he would put lighter penalties into his new version of the bill. But a spokesman later said that’s not what Martinez meant.

“Dealing with the 12 million [illegal immigrants] here, we all want to say it’s not with amnesty,” he said. “Unfortunately, we allowed those who would call amnesty anything other than deportation to sort of define amnesty.”

Realistically, he said, the country can’t deport all illegal immigrants here now, so the question is what requirements to impose to bring them to “a regularized status.”

In his previous bill, “We had so many penalties and what not on these people, by the way, and trying not to make it amnesty, and it still got called amnesty. So this time around I’m going to be a little lighter on the sentences and try to just say call it what you willl. We’ve got 12 million people, we’ve got a broken-down system, we’ve just got to find a way to come to some sensible outcome.”

Spokesman Ken Lundberg said Martinez didn’t mean the sentences would be lighter, but that he would talk less about the punitive aspects of the bill.

Martinez noted that the controversy over immigration reform divided and hurt the party in last year’s mid-term election, and said it’s crucial to pass a bill.

“I’m trying to get a consensus of Republicans” on the issue, he said.

[NormsRevenge]

If he ain't backing down, the GOP ain't moving forward.

[Mount Athos]

Hard not to have a sense of impending doom on this issue, I don't see how we can stop amnesty with bush supporting it and a Democrat congress. Plus GOP backers like martinez

[zarf]

Pure crap. The states need to start suing the crap out of the Feds.

[mkjessup]

It's no secret that the GOP is trying to pander to Hispanic voters in the same way that the 'Rats have pandered to the black vote for decades, but what these 50 percent-clever types don't realize is that as soon as illegal immigrants avail themselves of this so-called 'earned path to citizenship' crapola, that they're going to automatically vote Democrat, because THEY are the recognized Party of Payoffs, Welfare, and Largesse.

Martinez is a freakin' joke.

[conserv8ive1]

Color me shocked.

[NapkinUser]

[neverhillorat]

Maybe it`s time to realize that we aren`t going to get everything we want here and start looking for things that we can get if we all concentrate on them. First in my mind is a fence that works. then manditory jail then kicked out for ever for the violent ones. Better to get something then nothing at all.

[umgud]

Why can't he just be honest and quit trying to convince us it ain't amnesty.

[org.whodat]

“Dealing with the 12 million [illegal immigrants] here, we all want to say it’s not with amnesty,” he said. “Unfortunately, we allowed those who would call amnesty anything other than deportation to sort of define amnesty.”

Isn't it great every time he opens his mouth he tells a lie. Do republicans really think anyone is going to support this lying dirt bag.

[org.whodat]

Better to get something then nothing at all.

That is the same thing they pulled the last time. So what makes you think that something you are talking about isn't the same nothing we got the last time.

[freespirited]

I received the following from a friend. We don't know who the author is.

---

Recently large demonstrations have taken place across the country protesting the fact that Congress is finally addressing the issue of illegal immigration. Certain people are angry that the US might protect its own borders, might make it harder to sneak into this country and, once here, to stay indefinitely.

Let me see if I correctly understand the thinking behind these protests. Let's say I break into your house. Let's say that when you discover me in your house, you insist that I leave. But I say, I've made all the beds and washed the dishes and did the laundry and swept the floors. I've done all the things you don't like to do. I'm hard-working and honest (except for when I broke into your house).

According to the protesters:

· You are required to let me stay in your house .
· You are required to add me to your family's insurance plan
· You are required to educate my kids
· You are required to provide other benefits to me and to my family (my husband will do all of your yard work because he is also hard-working and honest, except for that breaking in part).

If you try to call the police or force me out, I will call my friends who will picket your house carrying signs that proclaim my RIGHT to be there. It's only fair, after all, because you have a nicer house than I do, and I'm just trying to better myself. I'm a hard-working and honest, person, except for well, you know, I did break into your house.

And what a deal it is for me!!! I live in your house, contributing only a fraction of the cost of my keep, and there is nothing you can do about it without being accused of cold, uncaring, selfish, prejudiced, and bigoted behavior.

Oh yeah, I DEMAND that you to learn MY LANGUAGE!!! so you can communicate with me.

Why can't people see how ridiculous this is?! Only in America .....if you agree, pass it on (in English). Share it if you see the value of it. If not blow it off......... along with your future Social Security funds, and a lot of other things.

[nj26]

"Martinez is a freakin' joke."

Martinez and his pro-amnestry RINO pals are selling out our party and our nation.

[JohnnyZ]

If the deport-them-all zealots had gotten behind comprehensive immigration reform we could have vastly improved the state of immigration law and enforcement.

Now we get status quo or worse, depending on if the pro-illegal zealots compromise or not.

Stupid and shortsighted.

[RJL]

Maybe it`s time to realize that we aren`t going to get everything we want here and start looking for things that we can get if we all concentrate on them.

Bush & Co. won't even agree to secure the border first, before "normalizing" the illegals.

Two years ago even Senator Frist was saying secure the borders first. If, at that time Bush had worked with fellow Republicans and truly secured the border, he could have come back to a Republican congress a year or two later and asked for a guest worker plan, they would have gladly passed that.

Then Bush could have sailed into the past elections with his fellow Republicans happy with a secure border and Hispanics happy with a guest worker plan, a win-win strategy.

But no, Bush went with the lose-lose strategy, where he alienated his base Republican voters and angered the Hispanics who then voted 70%~76% for Democrats.

Fellow Republicans paid the price for his stubbornness.

[neverhillorat]

There is going to be a bill and its going to become law. The question is, are we going to get anything ? What happened last year is history and the new law will supersede it. My thought is to make sure we get a real fence and whatever or we will try to stop everything and make it a big issue in 08. Or, maybe try to wait for 08 and take our chances with a new President and new Congress. In the meantime, more are coming across that border.

[Colorado Doug]

Even more stupid and shortsighted to destroy the Republican party over amnesty for millions of new voters who would never vote Republican anyway. You would think the Party would have learned after what happened with Ross Perot.

[The Spirit Of Allegiance]

Oath Required By The Constitution And By Law To Be Taken By Senators:

"I, A__ B__, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God." (5 U.S.C. 3331.)

[Colorado Doug]

If the deport-them-all zealots had gotten behind comprehensive immigration reform we could have vastly improved the state of immigration law and enforcement.

Now we get status quo or worse, depending on if the pro-illegal zealots compromise or not.

You know, the status quo would not be half bad if the laws already on the books were enforced. In fact, I'll bet most Republicans would be more than happy with that and perhaps a fence. Hardly unreasonable.

[JohnnyZ]

You know, the status quo would not be half bad if the laws already on the books were enforced.

Doug. Doug? DOUG!?!? It's dangerous to hold your breath for that long.

[G-Man 1]

I'm not backing down on my no reelection vote either. So hows that mel.