Statement by the Press Secretary on Comprehensive Immigration Reform

The White House ^ | June 26, 2007 | Office of the Press Secretary

[mdittmar]

STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY

Earlier today, in speaking about comprehensive immigration reform, President Bush misspoke. He told a group, "You know, I've heard all the rhetoric - you've heard it, too - about how this is amnesty. Amnesty means that you've got to pay a price for having been here illegally, and this bill does that." This has been construed as an assertion that comprehensive immigration reform legislation before the Senate offers amnesty to immigrants who came here illegally. That is the exact opposite of the president's long-held and often-stated position.

President Bush has noted repeatedly that the comprehensive reform he supports is not an amnesty bill. Amnesty means forgiving wrongdoing without imposing punishment. The immigration reforms passed in 1986 granted amnesty. The legislation under consideration this year does not. This measure imposes significant punishments on those who came to this country illegally between 1986 and the beginning of this year. In fact, the White House website addresses the myth that the measure is amnesty. For more, go to http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/06/20070608-10.html.

[savedbygrace]

No, this bill would have them pay a FEE to process the paperwork for application to receive certain privledges.

The penalty for illegal entry, deportation, is eliminated.

That is amnesty when applied to a specified group of people.

And what about the de facto amnesty that businesses that have illegally hired illegals in the past would receive under this bill? They most certainly will not be pursued, because all of the illegals will be effectively made legal.

[tsowellfan]

Whatever punishments are being imposed are hurdles that must be met before becoming a citizen (which has never been a requirement). There’s nothing they have to do to be legal except be here. Many our our immigrant ancestors had never become citizens but they were here legally. You will hear them try to confuse the issue when they say that the "there is no automatic path to "citizenship". They have to pay a fine and jump many hoops before becoming a "citizen".

[EagleUSA]

Can I use this for a tagline?
:::::
Be my guest — it is the God’s truth and reality.

[skimbell]

Tony was always a straight up guy. He didn't mince words and you knew that when he said something, if not entirely correct, it at least was the most logical statement that he could make working with the information that he had available at the time.

No more! He has caved! I know that he's not well and all of that, but he has dragged himself down with this gig as Jorges's mouthpiece. God knows that he does a better job of speaking for Bush than either Bush or his crony McClellan could/did, but because TS has had to spend so much time spinning Jorge's treason, his credibility is now running on just about zero.

As I said, there was a time when Tony Snow's word was a good as it got. Now it's the same chit his lame ass boss tries to push.

Too bad!

[TomGuy]

Statement on page 2 of the so-called Clay Pigeon Amendment that is to be voted on:




Which part of this statement is not amnesty?


Related thread:

The "Clay Pigeon" Amendment
	Posted by So Cal Rocket On 06/26/2007 4:28:12 PM CDT National Review ^ | 6/26/07 | US Senate The National Review has posted the "Clay Pigeon" amendment(s). Happy reading.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Just say NO to Illegal Alien Amnesty!! Keep calling!! It’s NOT OVER!!

U.S. Senate switchboard: (202) 224-3121

U.S. House switchboard: (202) 225-3121

White House comments: (202) 456-1111

Find your House Rep.: http://www.house.gov/writerep

Find your US Senators: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

[JohnLongIsland]

I hear you, I am stuck with Carolyn Maloney.

you one upped me, but being a native ex-manhattanite i had charlie rangel up in washington heights.

[EagleUSA]

Hillary & the Swimmer are doing cartwheels right now.
:::::::
Yes they are — they have their own Manchurian Candidate working for them, and he is too blinded by his utopian arrogance to even realize it....remember, El Jefe Jorge said these illegals were basically REPUBLICAN voters!!! God, what has this guy been smoking???

[Psycho_Bunny]

Beyond an announcment that he's resigning from office, I couldn't care less what the President has to say, anymore.

Sorry George....you blew it....your whole Presidency.........and you could have been great.

[Shermy]

“Amazing.

This warranted an immediate press release.”

On the evening of the loss of Congress last November Snow’s first words were hopeful that he could work with the Dems on immigration.

[dynachrome]

ping. HeHe. The Whitehouse had to put out a “clarification”

“Earlier today, in speaking about comprehensive immigration reform, President Bush misspoke. “

[MichiganConservative]

Jorge Bush is a RINO.

[hermgem]

A legitimate question, and not out of line:
Does Bush know and is he able to comprehend what he is doing.
The future, faith, and survival of this country is at stake.
Frightening, isn't it?

[supercat]

3. Criminal has to pay a fine... but still gets to stay in your house.

I would like supporters of this bill to answer three simple question:

1. Does the bill allow those who broke the law to receive or keep any privilege or thing of value not available to those who followed it?
2. What reason is there to expect that rewarding those who have broken the law will not encourage others to do likewise?
3. How will the results of this bill be different from those of the 1986 amnesty? What basis is there for that prediction?

I wouldn't mind "amnesty" if it simply meant that invaders who retreat home will not be pursued for their crime of having come here in the first place. But the Senate monstrosity seeks to reward the invaders far beyond that.

[supercat]

The President and Tony Snow are correct. The current bill does not offer amnesty, it provides clemency. Clemency is a term meaning the lessening of the penalty of the crime without forgiving the crime itself. The public considers these to be synonymous and is saying in effect that we do not want either while politicos are being lawyerly.

Actually, it provides indulgence.

[skeeter]

I really am tired of this confused prattle.

[supercat]

OK - what about the illegals coming in between the first of the year and now?

What about people who have applied years ago to enter this country, and are waiting their turn outside it? Are they eligible for immediate Z visas?

[mdittmar]

A legitimate question, and not out of line

[WorkerbeeCitizen]

I agree.

There are too many loopholes - we need to scrap it and enforce the existing law.