I think if a straight question is asked: Do you favor a path to citizenship for people who entered the US illegally? That question would receive about the same level of disapproval as one which uses the word amnesty.
They amnesty advocates have played endless word games, but I don’t think Americans approve of any plan that gives citizenship to illegal entrants.
Since you were close to the issue in 1986, do you have any opinion as to whether the Reagan Administration tried to, or intended to enforce the law after the amnesty passed? Or, just what administration failed to improve enforcement? Reagan, or GHWB. Where did it break down, or did either ever intend to enforce the law?
As the Rasmussen poll I cited in my previous post, that is not the case. Many Americans are buying into the paying a fine, learning English, and getting to the back of line scam. Most Americans have no idea that an amnesty would lead to an additional 70 million legal immigrants coming here through chain migration, i.e., family reunification. They don't understand the $2.6 trillion costs to the entitlement programs.
I speak to groups on a regular basis on the immigration issue. You would be amazed at the level of ignorance that exists about the issue. Most of them seriously underestimate the number of legal immigrants that enter each year. The attitude is legal immigration is good and illegal immigration is bad. After all, we are a nation of immigrants.
Since you were close to the issue in 1986, do you have any opinion as to whether the Reagan Administration tried to, or intended to enforce the law after the amnesty passed?
If you believe Ed Meese, yes they fully intended to enforce the law. But amnesty occurred near the end of the Reagan administration. It was Bush 41 [and his son] that really didn't want to enforce the law against employers or sercure the borders. Bush 41 doubled the number of legal immigrants who could enter annually. The 1990 Immigration Act
•Raised the annual ceiling from 270,000 to 700,000 for 1992-94 and 675,000 afterwards (including 480,000 family-sponsored, 140,000 employment-based, and 55,000 "diversity" immigrants)
•Allowed an unlimited number of visas for immediate relatives –children, parents and spouses – of US citizens, not counted under the cap
•The 125,000 allowable refugees are also not counted under the cap
Or, just what administration failed to improve enforcement? Reagan, or GHWB. Where did it break down, or did either ever intend to enforce the law?
Both Bush 41 and 43 were the worst when it came to immigration and the promotion of our national interest. They were bought and payed for by corporate interests. They did more damage to this country than any President since FDR. In fact, they may be the most responsible for the destruction of this country due to misguided immigration policies that are killing this country now. Demography is destiny.
•Almost nine (9) million immigrants came to the U.S. in the 1990s
According to a recent Rasmussen poll, most Americans would agree to a path to citizenship if illegals went to college or joined the military. Even most Republicans agreed with the latter option.