McCain, Flake and Kolbe introduce immigration legislation

Associated Press ^ | 07-26-03

[Brian S]

WASHINGTON -- Members of Arizona's congressional delegation introduced a proposal to dramatically reform immigration law, shifting the focus from enforcing borders to creating a regulated, market-driven flow of immigrant workers.

The sponsors -- Sen. John McCain, Rep. Jim Kolbe and Rep. Jeff Flake, all Republicans -- admitted passing the legislation in this Congress will be difficult, but McCain suggested those unwilling to budge on reform should see the human consequences of inaction.

"They're so far from the desert of Arizona that they don't see the concern or urgency that we do, where today some innocent person is dying in the deserts of the Southwest seeking only what we seek -- a better life," said McCain.

The bill would not cap the number of worker visas that could be issued. Instead, the number would be determined by the demand for guest workers. Jobs listed on a Labor Department registry for 14 days and not filled by U.S. workers could be given to an immigrant guest worker.

After three years holding the job, the worker could apply for legal permanent residency status.

For illegal immigrants already in the United States, the bill does not offer amnesty, but does provide a six-year process to earn permanent residency.

Undocumented immigrants working in the United States would have to pay a $1,500 fine and obtain a restricted visa for three years, then a normal guest worker visa for three years. At the end of that time, they could apply for legal permanent residency.

By creating a legal structure for guest workers to enter the country, the congressmen said resources could be focused on criminals and terrorists, increasing national security.

Flake said efforts to build up security along the border have proven deadly in some cases and prevented the typical flow of immigrants in and out of the country. He said that while immigrants once stayed in the United States for an average of 2.2 years, they now stay nearly seven.

"I would say we really haven't stopped anybody who wants to get here, because the lure of jobs is too great. What we've done is make sure that those that get here stay," he said.

Flake said he hopes the Bush administration will eventually back the proposal. Kolbe said the sponsors have discussed the bill with White House staff, but the administration has not endorsed it.

"There are provisions in here that I never would have dreamed a couple months ago that I would have supported," Kolbe said, but compromises were necessary to get a bill passed and solve the problem.

Frank Sharry, executive director of the National Immigration Forum, a pro-immigrant group, said it would have been unthinkable in the late 1990s for three Republicans from a border state to make such sweeping proposals.

However, significant changes must be made to the proposal, Sharry said. It raises too many hurdles for undocumented immigrants to get worker visas, it should do more for immigrant families and needs tougher labor provisions to protect migrant workers from abuse, he said.

The National Council of La Raza expressed similar concerns in a statement

[Carthago delenda est]

Anything is better than our current system.

[squidly]

Anything is better than our current system.

Yeah, and almost anything is better than this proposal.

[Malesherbes]

We need a digitized national ID card with enough information on it to fully establish identity and citizenship. Conservatives who oppose it are simply assuring continuation of the current chaos. The government already knows everything there is to know about each of us in its many databases, and so a national ID would be an invasion into the privacy of only those people who are illegally here.

[Kadric]

"They're so far from the desert of Arizona that they don't see the concern or urgency that we do, where today some innocent person is dying in the deserts of the Southwest seeking only what we seek -- a better life," said McCain.

How are these people that receive a visa and enter through the ports of immigration dieing? If they have not received a visa and entered through one of the recognized ports they are not innocent, they are committing a federal felony.

[meenie]

Actually the legislators and their fellow travelers that introduced this bill are violating their oath to defend and protect the United States which is a Federal felony.

[inchworm]

Who wrote this bill, Hilliary & Ted?

[Tancredo Fan]

Let's see here.... The U.S. is losing jobs by the millions due to bad management at the top and foreign competition, illegal aliens are driving wages so far into the ground that Americans can't compete, the economy is in the tank and continues to get worse, the POTUS has left the borders wide open, and we need 'guest workers'? What are these three RINOs smoking?

[Digger]

All part of the "Two-Party Cartel" who are bought & paid for by the elites. Do not plan on you getting your issues addressed until you vote them all out.

[goldstategop]

Nothing will be done about illegal immigration til the American people become riled up enough to demand something be done about it.

[Republican Wildcat]

Flake? Am I reading that correctly? The other two are the usual suspects. No surprise.

[expatguy]

We should be using electric fences and Telsa coils to solve the illegal immigrant problem.

ZAP !!!

[Republican Wildcat]

Your cure is worse than the disease.

[Brian Allen]

<< "They're so far from the desert of Arizona that they don't see the concern or urgency that we do, where today some innocent person is dying in the deserts of the Southwest seeking only what we seek -- a better life," said McCain. >>

"Some 'innocent peson?'"

When did illegal invasion and/or the deliberate violation of Our Sovereign Border cease being a felony? Or its perpetrators, criminals?"

When did this organized criminal invasion become misnamed "seeking a better life?" [And who says we owe it to the bastards?]

And why isn't RICO used -- and the Army -- to stop it?

Close the borders! Deport evey criminal alien and his spawn. Let the bastards get in line [After ten years] -- and wait their turn!

[Age of Reason]

" . . . today some innocent person is dying in the deserts of the Southwest . . . .

Innocent?

That person died in the act of breaking the law.

Good.

One less criminal invader to worry about.

[WRhine]

Let's see here.... The U.S. is losing jobs by the millions due to bad management at the top and foreign competition, illegal aliens are driving wages so far into the ground that Americans can't compete, the economy is in the tank and continues to get worse, the POTUS has left the borders wide open, and we need 'guest workers'? What are these three RINOs smoking?

That pretty much sums it up TF. This insane piece of legislation shows just how detached from reality these RINOs are. I giving them credit for being out of touch with the Real World. The only other explanation is that they are consciously trying to run this country into the ground.

[Tancredo Fan]

Anybody who croaks unlawfully sneaking into the United States has committed suicide. That's the way it goes.... what a bummer. NEXT SOB STORY........?

[WRhine]

All great questions. Just say it McCain. Our immigration laws are Null and Void. The U.S. Constitution is Null and Void. And RINOs, such as yourself, will continue to do everything in your power to destroy America’s Sovereignty.

With politicial Shams like you America needs no enemies.

[mindjam]

The National Council of La Raza expressed similar concerns in a statement

Of course the Hispanic KKK has to weigh in on this. Doing more for immigrant families? First, let's call them what they are: Illegals. Second, when they come here, sterilize them (ok, reversible if needed) so they don't breed a whole pile of kids and continue to suck up more resources. Why should we have to "do" anything for them anyway? Yeah, I know, I'm preaching to the choir here. ;-)

[Brian Allen]

<< let's call them what they are: Illegals. >>

They are NOT "illegals."

Their actions and activities are illegal -- and people who engage in illegal actions and activities -- in this case in felonious actions and activities -- are CRIMINALS! FELONS!

These bastards are CRIMINAL ALIENS!

Get them out, every last one of the mongrel bastards!