Immigration Reform on Bush Agenda

Washington Post ^ | December 24, 2003 | Mike Allen

[sarcasm]

< SNIP >

Lobbyists working with the White House said Bush is developing a plan that would allow immigrants to cross the border legally if jobs are waiting for them. The sources said the administration also wants to provide a way for some undocumented workers in the United States to move toward legal status.

Bush will try to make the plan more palatable to conservatives by including stricter entry controls, including increased use of technology at the border and steps toward better enforcement of current visa restrictions and reporting requirements, sources said.

< SNIP >

The White House plan is being designed by Bush's senior adviser, Karl Rove, in consultation with the domestic policy staff. Sources said the White House's biggest concern is that the new mechanism not penalize people who had followed the law and reward those who had not. McCain's plan, which was introduced in the House by Reps. Jim Kolbe (R-Ariz.) and Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), tries to mitigate that problem by creating a new type of visa for previously undocumented workers who would be allowed to live in the United States legally for three years. Then the workers could apply for the temporary worker visa, which would be the path to a green card, or legal permanent residency. That would amount to a three-year advantage for those who entered legally.

[Reaganwuzthebest]

You should hear them cry when they find out the "anchor baby" trick does not work any more.

I'll bet we see nothing in this "reform bill" about stopping the anchor baby scam, even though Congress is fully in their right to do so.

[Sabertooth]

generation after generation have been complaining about immigration. i'm glad i'm not a "holier-than-thou" conservative, i want our president to be a leader for all the people, not just the people who vote for him.

Are you any good at math?

President Bush won 48% of the vote in 2000.

Even if he gets 60% of the vote next year, that will be less than the 70% of Americans who are fed up with Illegals.

[BOBTHENAILER]

I've put up with this President's nonsense on CFR, on spending, on the expansion of entitlements, on prescription drugs, and other domestic debacles, as well as on the "religion of peace," on the road map, on Saudi Arabia, and lately on Taiwan.

Gimme an alternative, or throw away your vote, your call.

[King Prout]

No need to explain. Imagine my frustration, after pointing out the gathering storm for almost 20 years...

[texastoo]

Did Jesus tell you to break the law?

[BOBTHENAILER]

Merry Christmas to you, as well.

[Jodi]

"12 million illegals is not "someone who thinks differently" but is instead a host of invading foreign tribes?"

a host of invading foreign tribes?! who's the obnoxious, supercillious one?

[BOBTHENAILER]

Bobthe nailer- construction co owner?

A Stephen Hunter fan.

[Torie]

I am sure it is just to annoy you, whatever it is "democratic socialism" means in your lexicon. I am not sure how "free" labor markets fits in with that, which is the topic on this thread, and not that I am in favor of that really, because I am a a bit of a "socialist" on that one, although not as much as most here, in your parlence, but well, you get the drift. You are just slinging around labels in a mindless way, but that is just my opinion.

Actually, mostly I have just posed questions, and have received few answers, except that Saber did manage a couple of good hits. But I want more.

[HennepinPrisoner]

Now all of the GOP- bots have done a 180 and support this lunacy. It is disheartening...

Don't fret.....the only people that have done a 180 are the few Bush-bots. You know, the ones that feel GWB could do no wrong.

Polls consistently show that 70%+ of Americans do not favor this lunacy. Obviously that figure includes some Democrats.

[Sabertooth]

*Stop giving illegals food stamps, free healthcare and free education

**That's why I think GW's plan is good.

The plan is to give them legal status, then all of those things, as well as chain immigration, upon receipt of their green cards.

Great plan.

[Jodi]

what the hell are you talking about?

[King Prout]

who's the obnoxious, supercillious one?

You, Jodi. You.
Do look up the Laeti policies enacted in the Late Roman Empire, and their effects on the provinces.
Learn. Don't flounce.

[america-rules]

"There's a reason why President Bush cynically proclaims that he's against "blanket Amnesty" (since no President has ever supported one), while simultaneously pursuing means of legalizing millions of Illegals. "

It's called Management/CEO 401

If you have a huge problem and there ain't no easy fix "get control" of the problem/process.

What the GOP needs to do is frame the Bill so it can be controlled and then we get a handle on it.

Most people don't know that 1 Jan 2004 nobody will be able to do anything without an ID in the USA. Yup, the patriot act now mandates any bank, business etc. verify your drivers license or official ID to work, open any bank accounts etc.. Anything or any account you open to move any money will require your ID to be verified ! Try opening a paypal account after 1 Jan and they will require you to fax your drivers license.

There's a bigger plan going on here and we're seeing it in small steps !

[Victoria Delsoul]

Ok then how about border patrol or deputizing and giving the willing citizens proper training.

Well it sounds like a good idea, but we would need a lot of deputies and trained citizens to effectively patrol and safeguard our borders, and the cost would be enormous. However, if we are for smaller government we can't demand results that will require much more government.

[At _War_With_Liberals]

A Dean presidency would also force a movement to the right.

But we cannot take the chance of Dean as commander in chief. That is a nightmare scenario.

[BOBTHENAILER]

I remember seeing Republicans on tv complaining like the dickens, and rightly so when Clinton proposed an amnesty.

They will be there, IMHO, this is a non-issue, which will resolve itself favorably, despite the fervor on FR for this issue.

[HennepinPrisoner]

Well it sounds like a good idea, but we would need a lot of deputies and trained citizens to effectively patrol and safeguard our borders, and the cost would be enormous

But what if the cost would be more than offset by the amount of saved healthcare and welfare payouts? I am not certain on that point, but it certainly is worth looking in to.

[At _War_With_Liberals]

"Most people like him are scared to death to go to immigration for anything..for fear they will be sent back. "

False. Old argument. They are fearful, underpaid victims, always on the run from the law.

Then why do millions collect $$$ from 30 different govt programs?

If anything, illegals have been given the message that it is 'safe to come out'.

[LasVegasMac]

Yes, I blame Republicans AND Democrats for this mess. Politicians on both sides of the aisle get their coffers filled, with the return payment being an open borders policy.

I don't see it that way.

How do Republicans "get their coffers filled"?

What I see is hordes of illegal voters / perhaps soon to be legal voters - for the 'Rat party.

Perhaps, you are in a local where this is observable by you - the money part?

Lot's of talk out there that something like this would be the opening round to address the issue.

Not unlike the Medicare issue, where the Republicans also took a bit of a detour.

And I'm not saying that I agree with move.

LVM