What I seem to hear is that Gingrich had been singing several different tunes on this same subject. Make them permanent residents and that’s all, or “quick citizens.”
Confusing.
I’ve mostly just heard him talking about sealing the border by any means necessary, by 2014. Also vigorously enforcing measures like E-Verify, establishing English as the official language of government, etc.
Beyond that, he’s been a realistic and admitted that some people will inevitably be allowed to stay—particularly those who’ve been here for 20-25 yrs or more, but that they’d have to pursue citizenship. This is reasonable.
I really don’t see what’s so controversial about any of this.
It’s not confusing, it’s pandering!
No one actually knows what Gingrich would do on immigration. Maybe not even Gingrich knows.