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Bush says he won't legalize immigrants
The News Mexico ^ | Friday, March 15, 2002 | Stevenson Jacobs, The News Staff - 3/14/2002

Posted on 03/15/2002 1:36:05 AM PST by JohnHuang2

U.S. President George W. Bush on Wednesday denied he was considering legalizing over three million undocumented Mexicans living in the United States, government news agency Notimex reported.

Speaking to reporters in Washington, Bush said he hoped to work with Mexico on the matter, but said he would follow the will of the U.S. people.

"I don't think the wish of Americans is for an amnesty," said Bush, who added he had spoken about the issue with President Vicente Fox.

Bush and Fox are to meet March 22 during the UN Conference on Financing Development in Monterrey, where they will discuss immigration and post-Sept. 11 border security.

Just days before the terrorist attacks, Fox reportedly had been close to inking a deal that would have granted legal status to an estimated 3.5 million undocumented Mexicans and worker visas to many more.

"We've been working very closely with Mexico," said Bush.

On Tuesday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that would allow thousands of Mexicans living in the United States to apply for visas without returning to Mexico. The bill now goes to the U.S. Senate.

Bush called the measure "a good step" and urged its fast approval as a show of good faith to its southern neighbor.

The hotel and restaurant industries had been pushing hard for the bill, arguing they would be short staffed if thousands of their Mexican employees were forced to return home to apply for visas.

"What we need to do is find a way to guarantee that the wishes of employers are in balance with those of the workers," said Bush.

Several Republican lawmakers, however, have voiced opposition to loosening any immigration laws before a top-to-bottom overhaul of the Immigration and Naturalization Service and the U.S. Border Patrol.

Bush reiterated his administration's priority of achieving a safe and orderly border, and said he was confident he and Fox could agree on a plan.

"We've had a good dialogue and I don't think it's something that requires a law," said Bush.

stevensonjacobs@hotmail.com


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To: Nea Wood
I've always thought that if the Prez had his way, he'd grant amnesty. [But not for some of the evil reasons that some have ascribed to him. But that's another story]

Me too. But, please, why? Pray tell?

Why?

101 posted on 03/15/2002 12:16:27 PM PST by Brian Allen
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To: JohnHuang2; SaberTooth
Bush reiterated his administration's priority of achieving a safe and orderly border .....

Well, that much, at least, is reassuring. Wouldn't, for example, want the dead mass-murderers of thousands of innocent Americans to be granted resident-and-study approvals, say, six months after their attack upon US -- and years after their original, criminal, entry was facilitated and enabled.

102 posted on 03/15/2002 12:25:55 PM PST by Brian Allen
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To: hattend
Please, the differences between the two administrations are all window dressing.

It's our nation's sovereignty that counts and this administration is laying it to waste.

103 posted on 03/15/2002 12:27:46 PM PST by 4Freedom
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To: Sabertooth;Regulator;Joe Hadenuf
Deconstructing Bushspeak, among the serial ambiguity, doublespeak and half-truths:

U.S. President George W. Bush on Wednesday denied he was considering legalizing over three million undocumented Mexicans living in the United States, government news agency Notimex reported.

Ah, the old straw man numbers game. Bush says he won’t legalize over 3 million undocumented Mexicans. Well, is he FOR legalizing 1 million, 2 million, 3 million? That he qualifies this statement gives him an obvious future counterpoint to the uproar that will follow when he unloads more Amnesty deals on America. He could say, “I never said I was against legalizing 3 million illegal immigrants”. “I said I was against more than that”. The Bush-Bots would of course wildly applaud and tell us that this was Bush’s brilliant plan to screw conservatives.

Speaking to reporters in Washington, Bush said he hoped to work with Mexico on the matter, but said he would follow the will of the U.S. people.

Like others have pointed out, if he followed the “will of the people” he would instruct the Senate to kill 245I in all its forms. Anybody here think that is going to happen?

"I don't think the wish of Americans is for an amnesty," said Bush, who added he had spoken about the issue with President Vicente Fox.

Does Bush have to clear everything with Fox? Notice how many times Bush references Fox in this article. What this tells us is that Bush is allowing Mexico to have undue influence in the formulization and terms of our immigration and border policies. Since when does a truly sovereign country allow a foreign government to meddle in their internal affairs? Tell me Mr. Bush, at what point does the “interests of America” come into play with your administration when Mexico is involved? So far it’s “Fox wants this” and “Fox wants that”. Absolutely Disgusting.

Just days before the terrorist attacks, Fox reportedly had been close to inking a deal that would have granted legal status to an estimated 3.5 million undocumented Mexicans and worker visas to many more.

That was Bush's original “blanket” Amnesty plan that was derailed after 9/11. Looks like Bush and Fox have gone to “Plan B”--doing blanket amnesty in bits and pieces and calling it everything but Amnesty.

"We've been working very closely with Mexico," said Bush.

Yeah, we know. When are you going to work very “closely” with the "American People"? Or do we count?

On Tuesday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that would allow thousands of Mexicans living in the United States to apply for visas without returning to Mexico. The bill now goes to the U.S. Senate.

Since Bush has gone on record that he is against legalizing illegal immigrants he will of course now instruct the Senate to pull the bill.

Bush called the measure "a good step" and urged its fast approval as a show of good faith to its southern neighbor.

Ops! Bush goes against his word and confirms that despite statements to the contrary he is in fact FOR legalizing illegal aliens. He also again shows how much he cares about what’s best for Mexico.

The hotel and restaurant industries had been pushing hard for the bill, arguing they would be short staffed if thousands of their Mexican employees were forced to return home to apply for visas...."What we need to do is find a way to guarantee that the wishes of employers are in balance with those of the workers," said Bush.

This is perhaps the most important and telling statement that Bush makes. Here Bush is openly acknowledging that he will NOT ENFORCE our FEDEEAL LAWS on illegal immigration because the business community doesn't want him too. Among all the outrages, this is the arguably the worst. Though Federal Law and previous Amnesty provisions requires Bush to ENFORCE the LAW, Bush will NOT. Bush also let’s us know he is concerned about the employment needs of illegal aliens. I guess U.S. Citzens many of whom have been put out of work because of illegal labor don’t qualify for his concerns.

Several Republican lawmakers, however, have voiced opposition to loosening any immigration laws before a top-to-bottom overhaul of the Immigration and Naturalization Service and the U.S. Border Patrol.

Not to worry, Bush has the INS and BP actively culling out all the bad guys that wish to do us harm. I mean they just caught up with Mohammed Atta’s paper work so they are only 6 months behind. No big deal. Zigler is on top of things. Though the INS is the worst of the worst of all Federal Agencies, they have proven through their gross incompetence that they can put the cart before the horse as well as any federal agency. I guess we know where the security of the American people ranks with this administration.

Bush reiterated his administration's priority of achieving a safe and orderly border, and said he was confident he and Fox could agree on a plan.

Yes, we have to make sure our border security does not offend the great Vincente Fox. Notice that Bush is not talking about sealing our borders from this INVASION. No, it’s going to be a “safe, orderly” PC border. What's That? A border that allows illegal aliens to enter the U.S. in a safe, orderly way? Folks, this guy is OUT OF CONTROL.

"We've had a good dialogue and I don't think it's something that requires a law," said Bush.

No the Constitution and Federal Laws takes care of that. All you have to do is remember your oath of office.

104 posted on 03/15/2002 12:32:04 PM PST by WRhine
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To: skeeter
Are we supposed to forget that the 1986 amnesty was supposed to be a one shot deal? That it was offered in exchange for tighter border controls?

Who loosened border controls, Bush? No, it was Clinton.

Clinton created the mess to begin with, but instead of placing the blame where it belongs, you criticize Bush who didn't create the problem and is actually trying to do something to fix it when he also has more important things on his plate -- like fighting a war on terrorism -- to worry about.

This issue is the closest thing we have to an insoluble problem. Which makes it a perfect albatross to lay around the neck of a conservative Republican president. If Bush does too little, some people scream because he hasn't done enough to fight illegal immigration. But if he actually implemented the measures needed to actually deal with the problem, they'd attack him for violating civil liberties.

Their blind unreasoning hatred of all presidents named Bush allows them to attack the President from the left and right, often simultaneously.

Who benefits from this infighting? Not the Republican party, which for all its faults, is infinitely better than the alternative. Not the conservatives who are being divided at a time when we need to be united against a common enemy and the fools/traitors on the Left who would appease them.

105 posted on 03/15/2002 12:39:58 PM PST by Victoria Delsoul
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To: Victoria Delsoul
cannot distinguish between Mexican laborers who work hard, yet lived here in fear and poverty because of their immigration status, and Islamic terrorists hell-bent

A lot of what you say is true however it's not quite this simple ---many of the illegals from Mexico aren't laborers, you can find many crowding into housing projects and many working part time or temporary jobs. The other more serious problem is the vast network that the Mexican drug cartels have set up throughout the US, people who have no intention of picking apples but who are hard-core criminals who easily make it over the border.

106 posted on 03/15/2002 12:45:31 PM PST by FITZ
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To: Victoria Delsoul
There is no simple all-encompassing solution, except for those who cannot distinguish between Mexican laborers who work hard, yet lived here in fear and poverty because of their immigration status, and Islamic terrorists hell-bent on destroying us?

Few here have offered a "simple all-encompassing" solution. We know that the problem is so entrenched that turning the tide on illegal immigration will take years, even with stringent measures and effective border control. You are throwing out a straw man arguments to defend Bush's perverse plans to encourage more illegal immigration.

BTW, I thought you said before that you were against Illegal Immigration? Is this a change of opinion?

107 posted on 03/15/2002 12:55:59 PM PST by WRhine
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To: WRhine
A border that allows illegal aliens to enter the U.S. in a safe, orderly way

Kinda like doors that allow burglars to enter in a safe, orderly way.

Gotta get some of those. Don't want any burglars sueing me for impeding "safe, orderly entry".

108 posted on 03/15/2002 1:06:25 PM PST by Regulator
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To: Victoria Delsoul
They don't dare challenge Reagan's conservative credentials for fear of being laughed out of the forum, but don't hesitate to take pot shots at Bush for doing what Reagan did.

When Reagan was president illegal immigration wasn't nearly the crisis it is today. Reagan brokered his Amnesty as a program to end illegal immigration once and for all by granting amnesty to those already in the country and stopping all future illegal immigration by enforcing penalties on the businesses that hired them. Was this naive thinking on Reagan's part? Yes, but there is no way in hell that Reagan would do what Bush is doing now, as much as the neo-con open border types like to speak for him.

109 posted on 03/15/2002 1:08:04 PM PST by WRhine
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To: FITZ
I agree Fitz, there is a significant hard-core criminal element who should be jailed or deported. My understanding is that Section 245(i) would require the alien to have a sponsor (spouse or employer). Hopefully, no drug cartels will try to sponsor their couriers under this provision.
110 posted on 03/15/2002 1:21:43 PM PST by Victoria Delsoul
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To: WRhine
Was this naive thinking on Reagan's part? Yes, but there is no way in hell that Reagan would do what Bush is doing now, as much as the neo-con open border types like to speak for him.

And what is Bush doing now???

Sorry, I can't stay any longer. Gotta go.

111 posted on 03/15/2002 1:23:52 PM PST by Victoria Delsoul
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To: Victoria Delsoul
Who benefits from this infighting? Not the Republican party, which for all its faults, is infinitely better than the alternative. Not the conservatives who are being divided at a time when we need to be united against a common enemy and the fools/traitors on the Left who would appease them.

You're right, so why is Bush forcing issues that he knows are divisive? If he said let's all jump off a cliff because "it's the right thing to do", should we because not to would be divisive? Rewarding illegal immigrants is not good for the country or the Republican party. Bush and his pals in Congress need to understand this.

112 posted on 03/15/2002 1:25:40 PM PST by Reaganwuzthebest
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To: Regulator
Kinda like doors that allow burglars to enter in a safe, orderly way.

Doors that are closed are “exclusive”.

Gotta get some of those. Don't want any burglars sueing me for impeding "safe, orderly entry".

Yes, those trips and falls when a burglar enters and leaves your house could cost you some big bucks. LOL. Remember that burglar that got trapped in the garage of a house while the family was away on vacation for 2 weeks? He survived on dog food and Pepsi and because of this traumatic experience he successfully sued the family for having a garage with strong doors and anti-burglar protections that made it impossible for him to escape. Incredible, but True.

113 posted on 03/15/2002 1:28:59 PM PST by WRhine
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To: WRhine
That was Bush's original “blanket” Amnesty plan that was derailed after 9/11. Looks like Bush and Fox have gone to “Plan B”--doing blanket amnesty in bits and pieces and calling it everything but Amnesty.

The amnesty supporters have been working overtime inventing euphemisms to distract attention from the real nature of amensty, like: legalization," "normalization," "regularization," "earned adjustment," and even "phased-in access to earned regularization."

This is very predictable.

114 posted on 03/15/2002 1:34:46 PM PST by Joe Hadenuf
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To: sarcasm
He denies he "is" considering an amnesty

I think "W" had better have a talk with x42 about the meaning of "is".

115 posted on 03/15/2002 1:40:02 PM PST by chainsaw
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To: Joe Hadenuf
The amnesty supporters have been working overtime inventing euphemisms to distract attention from the real nature of amensty, like: legalization," "normalization," "regularization," "earned adjustment," and even "phased-in access to earned regularization."

Yeah and it won't fly. Have you noticed that most newspapers and journalists are calling Bush's euphemism laden Amnesty schemes "Amnesty"? All this does is demonstrate just how disingenuous this administration is. Let them keep on calling Amnesty everything but what it is. It undercuts their credibility.

116 posted on 03/15/2002 1:43:52 PM PST by WRhine
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To: JohnHuang2
""I don't think the wish of Americans is for an amnesty," "

Been reading freerepublic again?

117 posted on 03/15/2002 1:47:01 PM PST by Don Myers
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To: WRhine
Have you noticed that most newspapers and journalists are calling Bush's euphemism laden Amnesty schemes "Amnesty"?

The media, despite agreeing with him on this, doesn't support him as a Republican. If this were Clinton, the euphemisms would be getting used. The demos are having a ball watching conservatives battle it out, and it's all the doing of a Republican president

118 posted on 03/15/2002 1:47:53 PM PST by Reaganwuzthebest
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To: sarcasm
"Bush speaks with forked tongue. He denies he is considering an amnesty while his agents have been pressuring Congress for an amnesty."

This is how he keeps his hands clean.

119 posted on 03/15/2002 1:48:14 PM PST by Don Myers
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To: WRhine
Serveral on this forum the other night kept insisting it wasn't amnesty. I asked them what they called it and they stated 245i! LOL! While every radio station newspaper and internet story were referring to it as amnesty.

Again, this is all very predictable.

120 posted on 03/15/2002 1:49:09 PM PST by Joe Hadenuf
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