John McCain: On immigration, Washington is failing the American people

Union Leader ^ | March 6, 2007 | Sen. John McCain

[Norman Bates]

AMONG THE federal government's most important obligations is to secure America's borders and enforce sensible immigration laws that will keep our nation strong and safe. For far too long, Washington has failed miserably in this vital responsibility. An estimated 12 million people live in the United States illegally -- a problem affecting every state in the union.

Coming from a border state, I have seen firsthand the effect that illegal immigration has on our communities and public services, the rampant exploitation of those who traffic in illegal aliens, and the tragic loss of life that so often attends this enduring problem. As a country devoted to the rule of law, fairness and opportunity, the status quo is simply unacceptable. We know that most illegal aliens are drawn to the United States in the hope of finding a better life for themselves and their families. Many of our own ancestors came for the very same reason. But we also know that others come to do America harm and will exploit any weakness or loophole to achieve their malignant objectives.

The truth is that our nation's porous borders and failed immigration policies are a national disgrace, adversely affecting both our economic prospects and national security. A comprehensive immigration control plan that works is long overdue.

[Norman Bates]

To achieve our objectives, America needs the strong reform I've proposed that will:

-Vastly improve our border surveillance and enforcement capabilities;

-Increase the manpower, infrastructure and capabilities necessary to block, apprehend, detain and return those who try to enter the country illegally;

-Strengthen the laws and penalties against those who hire illegal aliens and violate immigration law;

-Achieve and maintain the integrity of official documents to stop fraud, verify immigration status and employment, and enforce immigration law;

-Encourage immigrants to come out of the shadows so we know who is in this country and develop a sensible guest worker program that will serve the nation's best economic and security interests.

[Norman Bates]

John McCain on current border policy:

“The truth is that our nation's porous borders and failed immigration policies are a national disgrace”

“Washington has failed miserably in this vital responsibility”

“[T]he status quo is simply unacceptable”

[Norman Bates]

John McCain on a new policy:

“We must devote the resources necessary to do the job right, and our efforts must be sustained. Imagine what we could achieve if we spent less money on pork barrel schemes such as "bridges to nowhere" and more on enforcing our immigration laws and other homeland security imperatives.”

“Legitimate status must be earned by paying stiff fines and back taxes, undergoing criminal and security checks, passing English and civics tests, remaining employed for six years before going to the back of the line to achieve legal permanent residence status, and adhering to other strict requirements.”

[umgud]

We're fixin to get hosed.

[Yossarian]

He's scared of the polls he's be receiving, and is now trying to spin his way out of the his alliance with ted kennedy on the McCain-Kennedy Immigration bill.

[Norman Bates]

The McCain List.
Common sense conservatism



The Official McCain Platform

The Official McCain Platform: Human Dignity & the Sanctity of Life

[AntiGuv]

The truth is that, on immigration, and just about everything else, John McCain is failing the American people.

[Yossarian]

remaining employed for six years before going to the back of the line

Great. That precludes the Illegals from correcting their illegal status by hauling their butts back home first.

[Norman Bates]

Rationalize it any way you like. He is standing firm. He refuses to budge on what he believes. He said he would rather lose than change his support away from our brave fighting troops.

[PGalt]

LOL! McCain-Feingold the ultimate Washingtonian. John, YOU have failed miserably. All of these years and WHAT have YOU done?

[Chena]

We're fixin to get hosed.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

[babygene]

"Legitimate status must be earned by paying stiff fines and back taxes"

What they never seem to mention is that people who earn close to the minimum wage usually don't owe any federal taxes. As a mater of fact, if they have kids they get money back even though they have not pain in any.

[Norman Bates]

The position taken by McCain in this article puts him firmly to the right of President George W. Bush, virtually all Democrats (if not in fact), and many Republicans. He is staking out fairly tough ground here. And realistic. And feasible. You know, all the things that actually make things happen.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

McCain/Kerry F the POWS/MIAS
McCain/Feingold F free speech
McCain/Kennedy F American Sovereignty
McCain/Gang of 14
McCain/Keating 5
McCain/Terrorist Bill of Rights
McCain/Gun Grabber

More?

[Malesherbes]

Pure hypocrisy by the co-author of McCain-Kennedy.

[Norman Bates]

You might want to stick to the topic at hand.

[seastay]

"Many of our own ancestors came for the very same reason"

Many more of most of our ancestors within the last 200 years were born on US soil and died on US soil. This notion that US is made of immigrants is false. Traditionally immigrants have made up less than 5% of the US population, most Americans would have to acknowledge that 95% of all their relatives who lived and worked in the US were native born.

Estimates are as high today as 30 million immigrants in the US, out of 300 million, that’s 10%, and McCain, is implying here that we need to respect levels of immigration that are twice as high as normal, and that we need to take in more , greater percent than any time in US history because some people have a few percent of their ancestors who immigrated ?

Huh... with that logic, we might as well make it mandatory that every child under 18 run away and join the circus, since many have few percent of our ancestors who could juggle, or their grandmothers grew beards.

[fantom]

He stands firm on what he believes (McCain) . So what ? so does the swimmer , harry reid , pelosi , and everyone else. It hardly means that because someone clings stubbornly to a bad idea or a foolish premise , they should be admired.

[Norman Bates]

This is just a very general framework. McCain is offering a lot more to bolster policy than just back taxes.

[Norman Bates]

Standing firmly with our troops is NOT a "bad idea or a foolish premise"!!