Posted on 05/29/2007 10:15:03 AM PDT by Rb ver. 2.0
GLYNCO, Ga. (AP) - President Bush attacked opponents of an immigration deal Tuesday, suggesting they “don’t want to do what’s right for America.”
“The fundamental question is, will elected officials have the courage necessary to put a comprehensive immigration plan in place,” Bush said against a backdrop of a huge American flag.
He described his proposal—which has been agreed to by a bipartisan group of senators—as one that “makes it more likely we can enforce our border—and at the same time uphold the great immigrant tradition of the United States of America.”
Bush spoke at the nation’s largest training center for law enforcement.
He chose the get-tough setting as conservative critics blast a Senate proposal as being soft on people who break the law. Hoping to blunt that message, Bush emphasized that any new options for immigrants and foreign workers would not start until tougher security is in place.
The presidential stop came during a congressional recess, with senators back home and facing pressure from the left and right on the immigration plan. Bush’s aim is to build momentum for the legislation, perhaps his best chance for a signature victory in his second term. The Senate expects to resume debate on it next week.
“A lot of Americans are skeptical about immigration reform, primarily because they don’t think the government can fix the problems,” Bush said.
“And my answer to the skeptics is: give us a chance to fix the problems in a comprehensive way that enforces our border and treats people with decency and respect. Give us a chance to fix this problem. Don’t try to kill this bill before it gets moving,” Bush told students and instructors at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.
Bush repeatedly cast the matter as one of political courage.
“Those determined to find fault with this bill will always be able to look at a narrow slice of it and find something they don’t like,” the president said. “If you want to kill the bill, if you don’t want to do what’s right for America, you can pick one little aspect out of it.
“You can use it to frighten people,” Bush said. “Or you can show leadership and solve this problem once and for all.”
The bill would give temporary legal status to millions of unlawful immigrants, provided they came forward, paid a fine and underwent criminal background checks. To apply for a green card, they would have to pay another fine, learn English, return to their home country and wait in line.
The plan also would create a guest worker program. It would allow foreign laborers to come to the U.S. for temporary stints, yet with no guarantee they can eventually gain citizenship.
Both the new visa plan and the temporary worker program are contingent on other steps coming first. Those include fencing and barriers along the Mexico border, the hiring of more Border Patrol agents and the completion of an identification system to verify employees’ legal status.
The legislation would also reshape future immigration decisions. A new point system would prioritize skills and education over family in deciding who can immigrate.
Georgia’s senators both played leading roles in producing Bush’s deal with the Senate. Yet they have also said they may not support the final bill, depending upon how it is amended.
Bush chastised those who say the proposal offers amnesty to illegal immigrants. He called it empty political rhetoric.
We should have the same immigration policy that Mexico has for immigrants.
Better now than later.
I saw this the other day. I have mentioned it in letters to my Senators.
Pathetic.
Flush it all away.
GW Bush is prepared to use his political capital to push this monstrous immigration bill and a totally unnecessary war in Iraq. Some conservative, huh? Just like his father.
Maybe not relevant, as I too am a ‘spoiled rich kid’ [even though I have experienced poverty as well] but that has little to do with my opinion about what is right for our country!! Bush is frighteningly and profoundly ignorant in my book for thinking he can ignore our heritage and borders and sovereignty!
Excuse me all if I missed the answer to my question but it is after lunch on Tuesday. Are they going to skip any meeting today?
THANK YOU! Someone finally said it!
I saw this the other day. I have mentioned it in letters to my Senators.
OOPS. meant to add, I also called the WH Iandtold them I had great respect for lawful immigrants but didn’t have any for illegals who lied, cheated, and stole their way here.
If this illegal Immigration Bill passes, America is done and any future voting will not matter.
"We don't want what's good for America", according to the President. Damn that's rich. That statement is so Clintonian in stature.
That's the one issue the traitors backing this bill don't want to address. This bill gives amnesty to tens of thousands of non-Mexicans including terrorists. The WOT is a joke if our Homeland is not secured. I'm not that concerned about a shipload of screaming terrorists attacking the U.S. because they no longer have us to attack in Iraq. That's not the type of war this is. Making it even more convenient than it already is for dedicated terrorists to illegally enter our Country and be given a legal status so they do not have to fear immigration authorities when they set up their cells and training camps is a more real, and frightening, prospect.
One question please?
Is it plausable that the MSM polls are fabricated...in order to highlight the disagreements among the GOP?
For example, this thread could serve as evidence to the Hispanic that their home and sanctuary is with the RATS and not us.
Something to at least consider?
Okay...that was two quesitons. ;^)
The government "solved" the problems in 1960s with Kennedy. Then in 1988 the government solved the problem by giving amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants. Since 1988 the number of illegals have increased maybe tenfold. How can that be if the problem was solved? It was solved with empty promises.
I have become a "show me" person! I would like the government to show me that it can secure our borders. Let us take this problem one step at a time. After our borders are secured we can deal with the illegals already here in a manner that is appropriate, justified, and compassionate. A comprehensive plan is simply code for the same ineffective solutions of rewarding the guilty, punishing the innocent. Instead of passing more laws that are ignored, maybe for once we can provide funds to secure our borders and enforce the laws already on the books.
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