McCain favors comprehensive immigration reform after borders secured

The Hill ^ | 1/05/2011 | Michael O'Brien

[WilliamHouston]

Congress should take up work on comprehensive immigration reform once the U.S. borders are secure, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said Wednesday.

McCain, a longtime proponent of comprehensive reform who had tacked right in his race for reelection last year, said that an immigration deal could be an area of compromise between Republicans and Democrats.

"Once we get the border secured — and we can get the border secured — I would look forward to working on comprehensive immigration reform," the 2008 Republican presidential nominee said on NBC's "Today" show.

The Arizona senator had in the past favored legislation that would give illegal immigrants a path to citizenship. But McCain tacked to his right after facing a primary challenge from former Rep. J.D. Hayworth (R). . .

[Eagle of Liberty]

Borders “never” can be secured..and so hence..

Probably not entirely, but I would much prefer a very slow trickle of illegals to the uncontrolled flood that we have today. Closing the borders is THE first step. Second step is enforcing or improving current laws as Arizona did, targeting specifically the employment of illegals. Third step, eliminate Sanctuary Cities. Fourth step, in my view, is a path to citizenship, but along with this, you speed up the process considerably for those who are currently in line legally.

And when I say a path to citizenship, you make the requirements pretty rugged and then you ENFORCE them. Some items of the last debate I did like. For instance:

- You have three months to declare yourself here illegally to begin the process. If you are caught after those three months, you and your family are immediately deported.

- You must pay a fine or work off the fine to begin the process.

- You must apply for a SPECIAL SS number and those numbers will not receive a dime until you are declared a legal citizen.

- You will be on a probationary period for three years. If you are convicted of a misdemeanor or worse within that 3 year period, you and your family are immediately deported.

[Eagle of Liberty]

What Juan calls a “secure border” is not what we would call a secure border.

You are correct and we must continue to be LOUD and VOCAL until they get the message of what is indeed a secure border.

[Georgia Girl 2]

Comprehensive immigration reform translated by McShame means Ammnesty for all.

[The Comedian]

You can liberate the McCain from the commies, but you can't liberate the commies from the McCain.

Frowning takes 68 muscles.
Smiling takes 6.
Pulling this trigger takes 2.
I'm lazy.

[Kimmers]

When it comes to politicians I don't think this disease is exclusive to McCain.....

[Logical me]

McNut just doesn't get it. There is no compromise with communists that the Democratic Party has become.

There should be no question that the Democratic Party, with their allies the MSM, and their King Obama that the push is to enslave every American to their will. This is communism, pure and simple. If anyone cannot see it then you should take a deep breath and look what America has become. You own nothing and freedom is almost gone.

[dforest]

good point

Most are lying jerks. It is just McCain has such a history as a lyin’ backstabber.

[algernonpj]

And when I say a path to citizenship, you make the requirements pretty rugged and then you ENFORCE them. Some items of the last debate I did like. For instance:

- You have three months to declare yourself here illegally to begin the process. If you are caught after those three months, you and your family are immediately deported.

- You must pay a fine or work off the fine to begin the process.

- You must apply for a SPECIAL SS number and those numbers will not receive a dime until you are declared a legal citizen.

- You will be on a probationary period for three years. If you are convicted of a misdemeanor or worse within that 3 year period, you and your family are immediately deported.

Oh goody!

What you are describing is amnesty for those who violated our immigration laws and current conservatively (using the figure of 13 million illegals) cost US tax payers $113 Billion per year.

Three separate studies show the actual number of illegal aliens to be ~40 million.

Now add in the cost of all the affirmative action goodies for which they will be eligible!

[Logical me]

And Sarah says she and McCain want the same things for our country, so we know where she stands too.

Are you kidding. I assume you are referring to the illegals. Instead of trying to destroy Palin, why don't you just give us a common sense answer to solve the problem. How hard is it to understand that it is impossible to send 20 million back across the border and with the open border, impossible to stop the migration. Heard all this crap and the only thing we have really done is send some of the criminals back and guess what, right back. Tougher laws on employing them seem currently be the only answer. I'm sure there must be better solutions, so why don't you just spell it out. I'm listening!

[algernonpj]

... How hard is it to understand that it is impossible to send 20 million back ...

See post # 28.

It is not all impossible. Despite McCain's and Palin's 'humane solution' for the ~ 40 million illegal aliens in the US, how about we end all freebies for illegal aliens and their extended families. They can all leave the way they arrived, by self deporting.

[Eagle of Liberty]

What you are describing is amnesty for those who violated our immigration laws and current conservatively (using the figure of 13 million illegals) cost US tax payers $113 Billion per year.

I am NOT discussing Amnesty! Amnesty means immediate legal status. What I am discussing is at least forcing them to work for it. Don't like the requirements that I listed? Then make the requirements even harsher so that the only logical alternative is to go back to Mexico. That is the game the RATs use all the time. "Here is option A. You don't HAVE to choose option A. You can always choose option B, but good luck with that."

[Seruzawa]

Who is this McCain?

[algernonpj]

... I am NOT discussing Amnesty! Amnesty means immediate legal status. ...

Ah, great dissembling on your part. Per Webster amnesty is the act of an authority by which pardon is granted to a large group of individuals. Pardon is defined as the release from the legal penalties of an offense. Deportation is the penalty for the offense of being an illegal alien, ergo not deporting is amnesty.

Instead of all the word games, I'd enforce the law, remove all the freebies and the opportunity to work for salaries so low that they are subsidized by US tax payers through sundry aspects of the safety net.

[moonshinner_09]

“Once we get the border secured — and we can get the border secured , I loved to see his plan how he will get the border secure.It’s been going to be secured for decades, but this time will be different, like the last time and the time before that. McCain, flip flop, flip flop

[stockpirate]

They will go home when morons like you stop giving them a free ride at our expense.

1. Fine’s and prison for company’s that hire illegall’s.

2. NO government handouts, none zero, let them starve.

3. Only free thing is a bus ticket back across the border.

4. CLOSE the border, 100 yard kill zone, if you enter that zone we keal you.

[Kakaze]

Take 5 to 10 years and build the wall!

Then talk to me about "reform"

[Eagle of Liberty]

ergo not deporting is amnesty.

As I have ALREADY SAID, if you do not think the requirements I listed are tough enough, propose tougher ones which make moving back to Mexico the only logical option.

I'd enforce the law, remove all the freebies and the opportunity to work for salaries so low that they are subsidized by US tax payers through sundry aspects of the safety net.

Those were all included in my proposed requirements.

While in theory, I as well would like to see the deportation of all illegals, whichever political party attempts the deportation of 40 million people will not survive the media onslaught to be in power for a number of election cycles, perhaps even decades.

[HiJinx]

Ping!

[YankeeReb]

This is quite a leap for Juan, usually it's grant amnesty first and let the borders secure themselves.

Gee, he's getting conservative in his old age, I think I'll vote for him. </s>

[Gene Eric]

boiling blood ping