[nathanbedford]

While I am as much dismayed as any FReeper by Newt Gingrich's immigration policy, I think it is valuable to understand exactly what the letter said and what it did not say. Quite obviously the letter avoids the use of the word "citizenship." Instead, it resorts to circumlocutions:

"combining enforcement with additional legal avenues for those who wish to work in our economy, while also addressing the situation of those already here in the U.S."

"Congress can fulfill its role by establishing sufficient increases in legal immigration and paths to permanent residence to enable more workers to stay, assimilate, and become part of America." (Emphasis supplied)

As one whose very first vanity years ago on Free Republic was a complaint against Bush's immigration policy, I think I have standing to point out that this letter is not a call for amnesty. It may be a call for a reform which will inevitably lead to amnesty but it is not a call for outright amnesty. There is no call for citizenship for illegals merely because they are here. In fact, there is no call for citizenship for illegals for any reason.

If we are going to oppose Gingrich because of his immigration policy, let us at least understand his position.

Full disclosure: I have spoken out in support of Gingrich.

[Fred]

Free Republic was a complaint against Bush's immigration policy...

Gingrich endorsed Bush's policy in this letter, you make no sense.

[swampfox101]

Why do u want to bother some folks with facts?

[org.whodat]

Convoluted , most often referred to as baffling with BS.

[9YearLurker]

Gingrich offers a wide open opportunity to citizenship for the bulk of the illegals who are here now. Just put together his three main points:

1) ‘legality’ for those who have been here for some sort of a long time,
2) a red card system whereby employers can chose to hire and make legal virtually any worker on the planet that they would like, and
3) his proposal that those here now can get in line for citizenship by applying for it while they are home visiting their old country.

Given 1 and 2, virtually anyone here can make a trip home and come right back with impunity, then go about their business here ‘legally’ until their citizenship comes through.

[Scotsman will be Free]

Newt may have dodged using the word “amnesty” but anyone who refuses to see what the intent of his position is, is being purposefully obtuse. That seems to be the default position of all Newt supporters in reference to his illegal alien stance.

[dirtboy]

As one whose very first vanity years ago on Free Republic was a complaint against Bush's immigration policy, I think I have standing to point out that this letter is not a call for amnesty.

Spare me the inane parsing. You're as bad as Newt who calls his proposal a 'path to non-deportation'.

People here illegally now would get to stay and work without fear of legal sanction. That's amnesty. No amount of Orwellian wordsmithing can change that basic fact.

[Timber Rattler]

Newt's a master of manipulating the language to achieve his ends.

Newt Gingrich's 1996 GOPAC Memo--Language: A Key Mechanism of Control