Former RNC chairman warns his party on immigration

The Hill ^ | Feb. 14, 2011 | Daniel Strauss

[Free ThinkerNY]

A prominent Republican is warning his party about its rhetoric on immigration reform.

During a recent speech at an event hosted by The Ripon Society, former Republican National Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie said, “We favor welcoming legal immigrants into this country and believe it's a good thing.

"But sometimes that policy gets lost because we’re so busy talking about keeping illegal immigrants out," he said.

Gillespie said Republicans have a responsibility to "welcome people" into the U.S.

His comments come as the party grapples with immigration issues, with some Republicans favoring a guest-worker program and most calling for stricter border controls.

Gillespie was a senior aide to former President George W. Bush, who unsuccessfully pushed Congress to pass a comprehensive immigration reform measure.

"We have not only a right, but an obligation to secure our borders," Gillespie said. "But we also have to welcome people into our country and into our party, I would argue as a Republican. I say that not based on any theory. I know this to be a fact."

[goodnesswins]

What a double-speaking RINO he is...

[Iron Munro]

So, according to Gillespie all we have is Hobson’s Choice.

If we don’t want democrats to grant amnesty to illegals, throw the borders open and pander to law breakers we need to vote for republicans who will do it for them.

The hell with that.

If we have to go down, I say we go down fighting to preserve the Republic.

[MWestMom]

I’m not thinking that a guest worker really counts as an “immigrant.” An “immigrant” is someone willing to put down stakes in his or her new country, from the get-go. ------------------------------------------------------------guest    –noun 1. a person who spends some time at another person's home in some social activity, as a visit, dinner, or party. 2. a person who receives the hospitality of a club, a city, or the like. 3. a person who patronizes a hotel, restaurant, etc., for the lodging, food, or entertainment it provides. 4. an often well-known person invited to participate or perform in a regular program, series, etc., as a substitute for a regular member or as a special attraction. im·mi·grant    –noun 1. a person who migrates to another country, usually for permanent residence. 2. an organism found in a new habitat. You are correct.

[bill1952]

Gillespie said Republicans have a responsibility to “welcome people” into the U.S.

Gillespie has a responsibility to STHU

[GlockThe Vote]

We need to do a swap - deport the criminal illegals and useless waste and put a moritorium on mexican, muslim, and guatamale immigration - and instead encourage indian, korean, and european immigration.

[noinfringers2]

My parents were immigrants and I believe there was at least some kind of quota. Of course the quotas must have been liberal as to numbers at the the time, i.e. very early 1900s. At the time the catch was come and build the USA. If I recall correctly ,as the masses came there was put in place quotas,perhaps unfairly to some such as the Chinese. And this gets me to thinking that nations have a tipping point as to population and resources for sustaining and/or building a viable economy. With events of the last several decades this Nation has really been straining the tipping point. It might be a good thing to go back to a strictly enforced quota immigration system, at least until the Nation has a more favorable population to economy condition.

[noinfringers2]

My parents were immigrants and I believe there was at least some kind of quota. Of course the quotas must have been liberal as to numbers at the the time, i.e. very early 1900s. At the time the catch was come and build the USA. If I recall correctly ,as the masses came there was put in place quotas,perhaps unfairly to some such as the Chinese. And this gets me to thinking that nations have a tipping point as to population and resources for sustaining and/or building a viable economy. With events of the last several decades this Nation has really been straining the tipping point. It might be a good thing to go back to a strictly enforced quota immigration system, at least until the Nation has a more favorable population to economy condition.

[TXConservative25]

What about Muslims from India? :)

[dennisw]

Myself, I would favor a 50 year moratorium on all immigration from the third world.>>>>>>>

Dittos on that. We have more than enough unskilled labor that does not speak English. Now we are getting Indians from South America that don’t even speak Spanish

[UCFRoadWarrior]

The GOP better dump the La Raza/MEChA/Hispanic Ku Klux Klan nonsense on immigration.

Americans want secure borders, and 100% of all Illegal Aliens deported. Americans also do not want Guest Worker Amnesty, H-1B Visa Amnesty, or anything near it. With so many out of work....there is no market need for immigrants

[WilliamHouston]

Dole 1996. McCain 2008.

[WilliamHouston]

I’m willing to amnesty an illegal in exchange for deporting Ed Gillespie to Mexico.