The Republicans Proposing Immigration Reform (Amnesty)

Chronwatch ^ | July 9th, 2003 | Leo Lacayo

[Sabertooth]

 

        The first step in a major crusade to resolve the problem of undocumented workers was taken today by Senator John Cornyn.  The most significant part of the program is that Senator Cornyn is a Republican representing Texas, and is a close ally of President Bush.

 

        The legislature he is proposing has enough votes on both sides of the aisle to pass easily and will enhance the stature of the Republican Party with small business, big business, the unions and the Hispanic vote.  But most important, it will pave the way for better Homeland Security and more effective government.  The legislature is all ''shock-and-awe'' on a domestic level, as it sweeps away the inept and out dated practices of the past with modern working tools to help the economy.

 

      It is impressive how the President has led this country, and how the Republicans have taken issue after issue away from the failed Democratic leadership.  Now, as our security requires we will be able to separate the good aliens from the bad ones.  America has always been a country to welcome from all nations the workers, the contributors, the givers, the builders, and the illegitimate processes of the past have served only to help exploit people.   Now Senator Cornyn is advancing a plan that will bring hard-working immigrants into the light and onto our tax rolls, and remove the incentives for human smuggling.

 

THE PROPOSAL

 

      Homeland Security and State would develop a guest worker program.  It is to be noted that said program would not lead to permanent residency or citizenship but would address the realities of our flawed immigration system.  It is not an amnesty program although an immigrants already in the U.S. can apply with their employers for guest worker status within the first year of the program's enactment.

 

      For too long we have turned a blind eye from the reality of over 10 million undocumented immigrants living in the U.S.   Homeland Security needs to be able to account for these millions, their whereabouts, and intent, and the proposal contains mega measures to deal with those who flout the law.

 

      Senator Cornyn stated: ''This problem is even more urgent in a  post 9-11 world, yet our system is still entrenched in the inadequate policies of the past and must be brought into the 21st Century.  My plan acknowledges that millions of undocumented men and women go to work everyday in America in violation of our immigration law, outside the protection of our labor law, and without any way of our government knowing who, or where they are.  This program would allow us to account for immigrants who are no threat to America, and distinguish them from those who are.  Our homeland security needs demand that we account for the millions of unknown immigrants living within our borders.''

 

      The plan would cover the workers and their families.  It will help prevent tragic smugglings and the dangers that immigrants are exposed to by people who place little or no value on their lives.  The bill will be introduced later this month.

 

      Republicans are taking charge and making things happen in an effective, innovative way.

 

      The San Francisco Hispanic Republican Assembly proudly supports Senator John Cornyn and calls on all Americans to recognize the principled approach to true immigration reform.

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July and August are typically slow news months, so I guess this is an opportune time to flout the desires of the American people.

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((((((growl)))))

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[Sabertooth]

Immigrant bill already has its share of foes

Cornyn's plan, still in the works, irks guest-worker advocates, opponents alike

By Chuck Lindell

AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

Monday, July 7, 2003

WASHINGTON -- In the next two weeks, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn plans to unveil an immigration bill that seeks to split the difference between pro- and anti-immigrant sentiment -- a difficult task on such a volatile issue.

Merely speaking about his intentions on the Senate floor brought the Texas Republican a flurry of phone calls that is sure to be repeated, and likely surpassed, when details emerge on his plan to help millions of undocumented immigrants legally live in the United States as "guest workers."

"We've seen people who come across and risk their very lives -- and lose their lives, some of them -- just for the opportunity to work and provide for their families," Cornyn said in an interview.

There also is a national security factor, he said.

"We must establish better border security, and we're on our way toward doing that, so we know who is coming into our country and why. But we are not doing anything to learn about the people who are already here," Cornyn said.

The bill is still being written and polished, but some details have begun to gel.

Basically, Cornyn's plan would let undocumented immigrants obtain a guest-worker "blue card" that would be renewed annually and allow unlimited border crossings for up to three years. Agricultural workers could stay for shorter periods, perhaps nine months out of the year.

"We would not limit the countries it applies to, but it's only to be expected that a large portion would be from Mexico and Central America," Cornyn said.

Employers will be given time, probably one year, to bring illegal workers into compliance or face "meaningful" fines. Workers seeking to enter the country legally must be matched with an employer when they apply at a U.S. embassy or consulate, Cornyn said. Once in the United States, however, workers would be allowed to switch jobs to avoid binding ties to unscrupulous employers.

Hispanic groups and pro-immigration forces are focusing on what is not in the bill: earned citizenship for the estimated 6 million to 10 million people living and working illegally in the United States.

"There is no amnesty or guaranteed path to citizenship," Cornyn said, but he added that "faithful service under the law should be considered in subsequent applications for naturalization."

Still, the exclusion will be a major sticking point.

"We've maintained consistently that the only type of acceptable guest-worker program would provide an avenue for some folks to achieve legal status," said Brent Wilkes, executive director of the League of United Latin American Citizens.

Even the National Council of La Raza, which praises Cornyn for recognizing the vital economic role immigrants play and for reviving debate about immigration reform, faults the approach.

"We know a lot of people want to work here for a short time and go back to their country," said Michele Waslin, senior immigration policy analyst for La Raza. "But for people who choose to make America their permanent home, those people should be able to do so."

Political realities will test Cornyn as well.

"For Democrats to support it, they need some kind of amnesty in the end. They'll take the bitter pill of a guest worker if they get what they want," said Steven Camarota, director of research for the Center for Immigration Studies, a think tank that favors stronger enforcement of immigration laws instead of amnesty or guest-worker programs.

"The Republicans are divided, which makes it more complicated. Some might give in on amnesty, but the problem is neither side seems able to support what the other side wants," Camarota said.

Cornyn also should worry about the administrative burden he is imposing on already stretched immigration agencies, Camarota said. On this point he has agreement from several pro-immigration groups that complain about processing delays, lost data and other inefficiencies.

The immigration service "is the most broken bureaucracy in the history of mankind," said Katherine Culliton, immigrants rights attorney for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund.

Immigration officials "can't handle the workload they already have," Camarota said. "And now we're going to ask them to process 4 million to 6 million new guest-worker applications? So what they are going to do is just rubber-stamp them. It's absurd. Quite frankly, it's dangerous. Having an illegal alien terrorist in our country is bad. Having a terrorist with legal status is much worse."

Cornyn said the United States has little choice in pursuing his program.

"This is a problem we can't ignore. We've asked the immigration service and Border Patrol to do a better job. To me, this is another piece of that same project, and it goes hand in hand with advanced border security," he said.

Cornyn also can expect opposition to his plan to deduct Social Security and Medicare taxes from guest-worker paychecks. The money would be repaid when the workers return home as an added incentive to leave.

Money has disappeared from similar programs in the past, said LULAC's Wilkes. "We definitely don't want to see a repeat of that. They ought to read the history to see how bad that idea is."

clindell@statesman.com; (202) 887-8329
Austin American-Statesman
July 7th, 2003

[Tacis]

What barbra streisand!!! This "proposal" does nothing more that build another complex governmental bureaucracy that will NEVER be funded adequately to do the job!

Mere mention of the word "amnesty" sends thousands north; if there is one amnesty, there'll be another.

We must have adequate resources to apprehend illegal aliens in this country and return them to Mexico!!! Any condition on this simply provides more opportunities for bribes and dishonesty ("Yes, I am Juan Gonzalez and I have been here since 1972" and, then, think of the movie where they all stand up and say, "I am Spatacus").

Through employers? Cronyn can't be that stupid. It is the avoidance of employment detail that makes Mexicans more desireable than blacks.

Every weyback must register we the federal government just as soon as national security can get all the employees, software and resources in place. After a date, anyone without proper ID or false ID will be deported. No appeals to tie up the sysytem for years. SEAL THE FRIGGIN BORDER, TOM!!!

[End Times Sentinel]

The Republicans Proposing Immigration Reform (Amnesty)

 

It is not an amnesty program although an immigrants already in the U.S. can apply with their employers for guest worker status within the first year of the program's enactment.

???

 

Owl_Eagle

”Guns Before Butter.”

[Brian S]

Why, this ought to make the President rightly proud, being initiated by a good "GOP" senator from the great state of Texas...

Excuse me while I puke on my latest solicitation from the Republican National Committee.

To bad "postage paid" enevelopes tend to leak.

[doc]

"able to separate the good aliens from the bad ones". HUH! Coming into our country illegally is a felony. Republicans have lost their minds. Take a look at California, we are sinking because of the drain illegal immigration has placed on our system. Some of the hispanic California legislators have been quoted as stating that the state belongs to Mexico. I believe it was Art Torres who said Prop 187 was the "last gasp for the white man". Comments of this nature in reverse would get a caucasian fired.

[The Dude Abides]

The article makes a good point in noting that our economic system does depend on cheap mobile labor. I would rather offer guest worker visas (and enforce the program) than pay 3 dollars a head for lettuce. Regardless, ignoring illegals is something we must stop doing. They should be made legal or put in jail - then sent home.

[traditionalist]

The article makes a good point in noting that our economic system does depend on cheap mobile labor. I would rather offer guest worker visas (and enforce the program) than pay 3 dollars a head for lettuce.

Nonsense. Modern agriculture is so highly mechanized that labor costs constitute a tiny fraction of the retail price of produce. Even if you double the wages of agricultural workers you will only raise prices by a few cents.

[SAMWolf]

The Republicans pass this one and I sit out the next election because there's no reason to vote for them over the Dems anymore.

[Scenic Sounds]

You don't want to miss this one. ;-)

[The Dude Abides]

Most agriculture yes, but I have yet to see machines that pick strawberries, lettuce, garlic and onions. Not to mention the non-agriculture infusion of illegals. Dry-wallers, bricklayers, and so on. Because we have been so lax at enforcing immigration laws, generations of these illegals have indeed become integral to our economy. I hate to admit it, but we can't be ostriches about this any longer. That said, I supported prop 187 back in the day. If these guys want the benefits of our system, they should pay taxes (as should their employer). We have to move away from a cash-based underground economy.

[ProudEagle]

Bush/Republicans?? This gentleman is turning out to be nothing but a carbom copy of 1964 Jack Kennedy.

[Xenalyte]

"We've maintained consistently that the only type of acceptable guest-worker program would provide an avenue for some folks to achieve legal status," said Brent Wilkes, executive director of the League of United Latin American Citizens.

Wow, am I ever stupid. I thought we already HAD an avenue for "some folks" to get legal. Good thing that's cleared up.

[Kuksool]

Last year, I donated $200 to Cornyn's Senate campaign, because I wanted a GOP-controlled Senate. As of right now, I am feeling like a dissatisfied customer.

[Tauzero]

"My plan acknowledges that millions of undocumented men and women go to work everyday in America in violation of our immigration law, outside the protection of our labor law, and without any way of our government knowing who, or where they are."

Bringinf them under our labor laws could be a way to reduce the employment of illegals. :/

But I don't see why any illegal would go for this offer.

Current situation:

Employed illegal takes home more pay by claiming witholding exemption / a million dependents.

Employer of illegals pays less labor costs and worries less about suits brought under government labor law.

Neither gains much under this proposal, so compliance will not be voluntary and a very big stick will be needed to enforce it. But enforcing is something we've proven unwilling to do. Thus the demand for a path to permanent residence or citizenship. In the absence of enforcement that'd probably be the only way to get voluntary compliance.

[Tauzero]

"This gentleman is turning out to be nothing but a carbom copy of 1964 Jack Kennedy."

Except Kennedy cut taxes more.

[Sabertooth]

Last year, I donated $200 to Cornyn's Senate campaign, because I wanted a GOP-controlled Senate. As of right now, I am feeling like a dissatisfied customer.

Tell him.

[Sabertooth]

Wow, am I ever stupid. I thought we already HAD an avenue for "some folks" to get legal. Good thing that's cleared up.

The racist assumption underlying efforts to grant guest worker status to Illegals is that it's unreasonable to expect foreign-born Latin Americans to follow the legal channels already established.

There is always a strong element of self-congratulatory condescension behind any institutionalized governmental compassion.