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.

[Jorge]

Go back to Mexico!

I'm not from Mexico.
I'm not even hispanic.
I'm English, and French mostly. With some Scottish, German and Sioux Indian thrown in.

I was born in Upper Darby PA. Where would you like me to go back to?

[Pelham]

The White House plan is being designed by Bush's senior adviser, Karl Rove, in consultation with the domestic policy staff.

Who knew? Can we get rid of him yet?

Fire Rove's boss, and he goes too.

[Jorge]

Just the most minute trace of sarcasm. Used as a levening agent. Kosher for passover.

LOL!

[Jorge]

Hypocrite? Sounds like you're the hypocrite. You have no problem with your friend breaking the law yet you would like to see sabertooth punished more than the infraction legally warrants? What is hypocritical about wanting the law enforced?

Nothing. I just think it's unfair for you to use my own argument against me.

[Jorge]

Nah....I am one anti-illegal that surely won't be staying home on election day. I'll be voting for the candidate that will deport your greedy, selfish, line-jumping illegal friend...pond scum that he is.

How would you like it if I said that about one of your freinds?
Can't you argue your point without making meanspirited personal attacks against people you don't even know?

My friend came here legally, overstayed his work visa when he found out he had a terminal disease.

You call him greedy...but he is barely making it.

He actually spent a few years sleeping in parks while working at day labor jobs making just enough money to eat.
Sounds real greedy and selfish doesn't he?

He came to this country hoping to make a new life for himself. He knows there is nothing back in Belize for him. He is a hard worker. He isn't asking for handouts from anyone. He at least has some friends here who are willing to help him make the best of whatever he has left of his life.

[Jorge]

And how many legal immigrants did we get in the 17 years? Why didn't your friend make the choice to immigrate legally? Why should he be rewarded for ignoring our laws? And whose Social Security number is he using to obtain jobs all those 17 years?

He has no SS#...so I guess he's been working under the table for 17 years.

In any case he came here legally. Just overstayed his visa/work permit or whatever.

And like most who get in this situation, has no understanding of the system, or who to even go to for help.

[Jorge]

You have zero credibility on this issue. You are transparent. This idiotic equating Illegal Aliens crimes with traffic infractions must be the new mantra for the Illegal Alien cheerleaders.

What are you talking about?
Making the statement that breaking the law is breaking the law is NOT THE SAME as saying all crimes are EQUAL.

Get back to us when you comprehend the technicalities of the issue being debated, OK?

[Jorge]

Yep. It's true. LOL

.... staying true to your convictions but showing grace and charity at the same time? God bless you :)

[FITZ]

Maybe your friend has a sad story --- but what about this one friend of mine -- not really a friend but an aquaintance and a very good person. She went to university in the USA, she lives in Mexico, has no relatives here to sponsor her but she'd like to work here instead of over there because it pays a lot more ---however there isn't a great need that can be shown in her type of employment for workers --- but she's doing everything the legal way so coming over will probably take a long time --- if it ever works out for her --- why should someone who chose to ignore the immigration laws be moved ahead of someone who is trying very hard to follow them?

Why should a lawbreaker be given cuts in the line? Why should they be allowed to take a job that someone who is patiently and carefully following the rules is waiting to take?

[FITZ]

If illegal aliens could have come here legally, then they would not need to use someone else's SS number to get a job, the reason they came in the first place.

They could have applied to come here legally --- but to many that is just too inconvenient, they didn't feel like waiting or filling out papers. Lots of people have come here legally ---- there are a large number who have applied to come here legally but haven't been accepted so are waiting and waiting... and waiting. Why should they be punished because someone else chose to break the law and now has the job the legal applicant would have loved to have gotten? Anyhow the whole world can't come here --- but those who do should wait their turn in line --- and their turn in line can depend on the skills they bring with them, how much they might be needed.

[FITZ]

If illegal aliens could have come here legally, then they would not need to use someone else's SS number to get a job, the reason they came in the first place.

And really --- that's like trying to justify bank robberies by saying if the robber could have gotten the money legally, then he wouldn't have to hold the bank up. Or that if the speed limits were all set to 80mph, then those driving 70mph in school zones wouldn't be breaking the law.

[Syncro]

A friend of mine a few years ago was going through the legal process to have his wife come here from Mexico.

He was so frustrated by all the red tape, I don't know to this day if she ever got here.

But I give him kudos for trying to do it the right way, and in the time his wife has been doing all the red tape, millions of illegals have broken the law and come to this country and our Government welcomes them and wants to make them legal.

Something is wrong with this picture.

BTW thanks for what you do FITZ, you have been fighting the good fight for years.

I am honored to have you as a friend.

[FITZ]

Thank you --- it would be a slap in the face to all those who have been waiting patiently, obeying our laws, to find the door possibly closed permanently on them if a massive amnesty is given to all those who would claim they are entitled to it and take up every possible job opening there might be. Those doing things the legal way have to do cartwheels to prove they are needed as employees --- they certainly wouldn't be after amnesty.

[TheDon]

They could have applied to come here legally

Why should they? We aren't going to stop them. Heck, we haven't stopped millions of them. We don't enforce our immigration laws properly.

Why should they be punished because someone else chose to break the law and now has the job the legal applicant would have loved to have gotten?

They are already being punished by us not enforcing our immigration laws properly. The deed has already been done.

Anyhow the whole world can't come here

True. But as we don't enforce our immigration laws, we must not mind the number of illegal aliens that come into the country along with the legal immigrants.

[TheDon]

Only if we don't enforce laws against bank robbery and speeding. BTW, did you speed today? :^)

[FITZ]

No --- I didn't speed at all today. For one the roads are extra packed with cops looking for DWI's.

My compromise solution. We should trade out all non-working legals and illegals or any who require any government assistance at all for those illegals who can manage to work and support themselves here --- with the understanding that the minute they can't --- out they go. If they get sick --- no free health care --- just a trip back to Mexico. If they have a baby --- the baby gets their citizenship and the same rules. I'd be for deporting all our citizen welfare users too ---except there is no place to deport them back to ---- so we should just throw them off welfare, let them find jobs. That's how immigration used to work --- only those who could make it stayed --- one third of the European immigrants went back to Europe within a short time.

[Flyer]

tries to mitigate that problem by creating a new type of visa for previously undocumented workers

Hey, isn't that exactly what we need to do - Locate and identify those that are here illegally? They aren't going to just come forward to clear their conscience

That would amount to a three-year advantage for those who entered legally.

And that might encourage some to return to Mexico and come in legally.

I deplore the invasion of our Nation but I am not prepared for a nationwide "Show me your papers" sweep to identify who is and who isn't here legally.

[Jorge]

Why should a lawbreaker be given cuts in the line? Why should they be allowed to take a job that someone who is patiently and carefully following the rules is waiting to take?

Ok. Then we'll send him back to Belize. And your Mexican friend with her University Degree can have his job as maintenance person for an apt complex, cleaning floors and taking out the trash.
Somehow I doubt if she'll resent him cutting in line for that opportunity.

Actually since he is not in the legal immigration system, waiting to get in the US....he has not cut in the line in front of your friend anyway and has absolutely no effect on her chances to enter this country legally. So it's a moot point.

[JackelopeBreeder]

My nomination for Best Bumpersticker of 2003:

"Viva la Migra!"

(Hurray for the Border Patrol!)

Guaranteed to enrage millions and provide hours of entertainment.

[moehoward]

Making the statement that breaking the law is breaking the law is NOT THE SAME as saying all crimes are EQUAL.

Oh I'm sorry, I was unaware you are SLOW.

You are one of the characters here that attempts to draw a parallel between an American citizen driving a few miles an hour over the speed limit and a foreign invader whose list of offenses BEGINS with violating immigration laws.

This moronic statement IS an attempt (by you and others) to say that these two acts are EQUAL. Absurd.