Gingrich says he is 'not for amnesty,' defends immigration stance

The Hill ^ | 11/26/11 | Meghashyam Mali

[presidio9]

GOP presidential candidate Newt Gingrich defended his immigration stance Friday, claiming that he was "not for amnesty."

“I am not for amnesty for anyone. I am not for a path to citizenship for anybody who got here illegally,” Gingrich said at a town hall event in Naples, Florida according to media reports.

“But I am for a path to legality for those people whose ties run so deeply in America that it would truly be a tragedy to try and rip their family apart," said the former House Speaker.

Gingrich has been under fire from some anti-illegal immigration groups since last Tuesday's GOP debate where he spoke out against deporting many illegal immigrant families.

During Friday’s town hall, Gingrich said that if elected he would make securing the border a priority and would support efforts to make English the country's official language.

He said he would also establish a guest-worker program to allow migrants to work in the U.S. But under such a program, businesses which hired undocumented workers would be hit with fines.

"I would have very, very stiff economic penalties for anyone who hires somebody who is not legally inside the system," Gingrich vowed.

At last Tuesday’s GOP debate, Gingrich said that he supported efforts to allow tax-paying illegal immigrants without criminal records to remain in the country or gain citizenship.

“If you've come here recently, you have no ties to this country, you ought to go home, period,” Gingrich had said. “If you've been here 25 years and you got three kids and two grandkids, you've been paying taxes and obeying the law, you belong to a local church, I don't think we're going to separate you from your family, uproot you forcefully and kick you out.”

"I don't see how the party that says it's the party of the family is going to adopt an immigration policy which destroys families which have been here a quarter-century," he added. "I'm prepared to take the heat for saying let's be humane in enforcing the law."

Gingrich has faced criticism for his comments from other Republicans. Rep. Michelle Bachmann (Minn.) said in an interview that Gingrich had the “most liberal position on illegal immigration of any of the candidates in the race.”

Influential Iowa congressman Rep. Steve King (R) described Gingrich’s proposals as a “form of amnesty”

“I wouldn’t agree with him on that policy,” King added, suggesting that Gingrich had hurt his chances of winning his endorsement prior to the Iowa caucuses.

The furor over Gingrich’s immigration stance comes as new national polls place him ahead of Romney in the GOP field.

[presidio9]

I don't agree with everything Newt is saying, but I respect a politician who treats a difficult and controversial topic with the gravity required, and comes up with a workable solution. I have no doubt that this thread is going to attract plenty of anti-Gingrich spammers. I only wish that before you attack Gingrich, you name your candidate, and why you prefer his or her solution for immigration reform.

[ez]

Newt believes America must be a nation of laws. The first duty of the federal government is national defense, and it is inexcusable that we haven’t secured the border. In his 21st Century Contract with America, Newt pledges to control the southern border by January 1, 2014, waiving any regulations and pushing aside any bureaucracies that get in the way. As we secure the border, we must make an aggressive and serious effort to deport all criminals, gang members, and any other threats to our society as quickly as possible. We must also tap into the ingenuity of the private sector to better validate who is in the United States legally. Newt opposed the DREAM Act. However, he did agree with part of the legislation which allowed those who came to the United States illegally as children to serve in the U.S. Military to earn their citizenship, just as foreign nationals are today allowed to do the same. Furthermore, Newt has proposed giving local communities the authority to allow those with long established roots in the neighborhood a legal residency status, but not citizenship. Newt believes local communities are at a better vantage point to determine if those there illegally should stay or go. Under this system, we will send home those with no family or community ties and quickly deport those who have committed criminal and other destructive acts, while providing minimal disruption to families and communities. Read Newt’s 10 step immigration plan here.

[SoConPubbie]

I don't agree with everything Newt is saying, but I respect a politician who treats a difficult and controversial topic with the gravity required, and comes up with a workable solution. I have no doubt that this thread is going to attract plenty of anti-Gingrich spammers. I only wish that before you attack Gingrich, you name your candidate, and why you prefer his or her solution for immigration reform.

The devil is in the details with Newt's so-called plan.

Try reading the fine details.

With regards to the border fence, he wants fencing only in strategic urban areas.

Do you know how much Urban area there is along the border?

Probably less than 1/10 of 1 percent.

So in an effort to sound like he is strong on the border, he throws up, at least in this instance, a plan that leaves the status quo in place where the border fence is concerned.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

OK, Newt is not for amnesty “But I am for a path to legality for those people whose ties run so deeply in America that it would truly be a tragedy to try and rip their family apart."

You can't have it both ways, Newt. You came out for amnesty, but you're now trying to sidestep it because the people are letting you know that your viewpoint is a LOSER.

Newt's "explanation" is completely schizo. He says he's not for amnesty, then goes on to explain that he wants to set up a program for amnesty. Just like Perry, Newt fell on the amnesty-sword and he can't un-ring that bell now.

[Logical me]

Gingrich is right on and makes sense. Foolish posters think almost 20 million illegals can be deported. It involves more than just Mexicans.

[SoConPubbie]

Newt believes America must be a nation of laws.

So if Newt believes that America must be a nation of laws, he must be for enforcing the laws for the following illegal actions, correct?

1. Illegal Entry into our nation.
2. Aquiring a fake IDs(drivers licenses, Social Security IDs, etc).
3. Using a fake ID to aquire health services


If he believes so much in America being a nation of laws, then he will push for complete and thorough application of said laws.

[GeronL]

Please, rape them long enough and you become family?

Thats insane.

These are the people having the US flag banned at schools on May 5th while they carry Mexican flags, cheer on foreign soccer teams and have no loyalty to this country at all.

[crz]

“Rep. Michelle Bachmann (Minn.) said in an interview that Gingrich had the “most liberal position on illegal immigration of any of the candidates in the race.””

Here is the typical slimy double speak of a shyster lawyer. She is on video saying about the same thing as Gingrich in one of the prior debates. This woman is a liar and will say anything to get attention.

Of all those running, I rate her at the bottom of the barrel right there with her new found buddy Glenn Beck, who is another opportunist who will suck up to anyone to get attention.

[GeronL]

Nobody thinks that.

You cut off the benefits and they leave on their own.

No more welfare, no more free schools, no more free ER, no more driving without licenses and insurance etc etc

[SoConPubbie]

Foolish posters think almost 20 million illegals can be deported. It involves more than just Mexicans.

Foolish poster falsely raises a strawman that most Freepers to believe in.

Do the following and the illegal invaders will self deport:

1. Implement complete and total E-verify for all positions of employment in the US.
2. Implement E-Verify usage for all social services. You don't have a valid ID, you don't get services.


Just implementing those two actions would cause most of them to scurry back to whereever they came from without any effort to physically deport them.

[Lady Lucky]

The devil is always in details. Let’s just not have any!

[presidio9]

You might want to read Newt's 10-step comprehensive overhaul plan. The link is here.

[South40]

Gingrich says he is 'not for amnesty,'

Deja vu. That's what John McCain said also.

[RIghtwardHo]

Let me guess .. he wants to be Romney II and just say what he thinks will get him elected.

Sorry Newt. Go away.

[SoConPubbie]

You might want to read Newt's 10-step comprehensive overhaul plan. The link is here.

I did, that's how I know what I posted is accurate.

[ez]

The devil is in the details with Newt's so-called plan. Try reading the fine details.

Good idea. Read Newt’s 10 step immigration plan here.

[Rick_Michael]

Copy and paste to ‘real’ conservatives.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_zNR53k5Lg

I’m no fan of Amnesty, definitely don’t want to give citizenship and favor mandatory e-verify...but would you vote for this man if you heard this answer....?

[Dubya-M-DeesWent2SyriaStupid!]

Perry was pounded for this. It is so ridiculous to make this such a big issue when history proves than no matter who gets in the WH none of this will ever change short of a complete changeover and revamp. So why throw out candidate after candidate over this? Perry is more conservative than Gingrich but was dismissed.ALL need too think before we have Romney or Obama.Perry may be our only hope.

[presidio9]

You cut off the benefits and they leave on their own.

Actually, this is philosphy is at the core of the Gingrich solution. Nobody who can't pay their own way, including health insurance, gets to stay.

[South40]

You might want to read Newt's 10-step comprehensive overhaul plan.

Yes, and pay special attention to section 6.

6. Create a path to earned legality for some of the millions of people who are here outside the law ILLEGALLY.

No thanks.