Many see Bush immigration proposals as non-starter (Proposal Faces "Fierce" Resistence In House)

Reuters ^ | 01.07.04 | Alan Elsner

[Pubbie]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush dived into a heated political debate on Wednesday by proposing to create a class of legal "guest workers" in the United States, but analysts said it was doubtful the blueprint could gain congressional approval in this election year.

In a carefully balanced speech, Bush proposed giving some of the estimated 8 million to 14 million illegal immigrants in the country a way to gain three-year temporary work permits, but offered them no clear path to becoming U.S. citizens.

"Our laws should allow willing foreigners to enter our country and fill jobs that Americans are not filling. We must make our immigration laws more rational and more humane," Bush declared.

The proposal seemed calculated to win Bush Hispanic support ahead of the November presidential election while pleasing employers looking for workers to fill mainly manual, agricultural or low paid service jobs.

"The hype and misinformation that this speech will fuel in the immigrant community will be huge. Unfortunately, the excitement will far outweigh the real effect," said Jeff Goldman, an immigration lawyer with Testa, Hurwitz and Thibeault in Boston.

Bush was at pains to declare he was not offering amnesty for people who entered the United States illegally, but opponents of making concessions to the immigrants said that was exactly what he had done.

"This clearly is an amnesty. It provides not only amnesty but a reward for people who committed a felony by coming here illegally," said Rep. Elton Gallegly, a California Republican.

"There will be substantial opposition from Republicans, Democrats and millions of ordinary Americans once they realize what's involved," Gallegly told Reuters.

CAUTIOUS BACKING

While the proposals won some cautious backing from Hispanic groups and immigration backers, some analysts were doubtful that Bush would put much political muscle behind them in the face of fierce opposition from many in his own Republican political base.

"I don't think it's serious. Bush knows the politics. These proposals don't go far enough for most Democrats and they go too far for around 70 to 100 Republicans in the House of Representatives," said Steven Camarota, research director at the Center for Immigration Studies, which favors more stringent limits on immigration.

"Republican leaders in Congress won't want to bring up this issue, especially this year, because it divides them. Unless Bush twists their arms hard, this is going nowhere," he said.

Legal and illegal immigration to the United States, already at record levels in the 1990s, accelerated further after 2000 despite the economic slowdown, according to U.S. Census data.

From 2000 to 2002, net immigration to the United States averaged around 1.4 million per year, about half a million of whom entered or stayed in the country illegally.

Bush, who won around 35 percent of the Hispanic vote in 2000, would like to raise that proportion to 40 percent or higher this year. Even if he does nothing to push the proposals, the President will be able to incorporate them into his campaign message aimed at Hispanics.

"This makes no sense except political sense. It reeks of bad policy but screams of politics," said David Ray, assistant director of the Federation for American Immigration Reform, a group campaigning for sharply reduced levels of immigration.

FAIR argued that the plan undermined homeland security, granted an amnesty for law-breakers, established a back door immigration program and threatened the jobs and wages of American workers.

On the other side of the debate, immigration backers were disappointed that the plan offered no clear path for illegal immigrants to become citizens.

"The initial proposal falls short in helping newcomers become fully integrated into our society, but we look forward to working with the administration and Congress to shape the final legislation," said Leonard Glickman, president of the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, the country's oldest migration organization.

[KantianBurke]

Awww. You believe that tripe. How cute!

[Tempest]

"Show me the math."

You're right. My bad. You know what I'm surprised that there isn't a bus load of average American citizens lined up in front of the produce farms right now competing for those $5.50 jobs. . .

[McGavin999]

Yeah, I do. I think the INS has been needing the backup for years. By ignoring a law for decades you establish "common law". That is what has been tripping up our LEO's for years now.

A new law, spelling out clearly the rules and punishments, can be enforced. The old laws can not.

[Pubbie]

Actually you are correct - I think I assumed they were going to get a Green Card right away - but this system means they only get the opportunity to apply for a Green Card after they enter the program.

They could become legal citizens but it may take decades for that to happen because of the huge backlog in Green Card applications coming from around the world.

[texasflower]

If borderline voters really think that the country will be better off by getting ANY of the democratic candidates in office, we have far more problems than illegals.

*The workers are going to find a way to be here anyway.*

Yes, they WILL FIND A WAY to get here. It's not some excuse. Just reality.

After reading so many of these angry posts, all threatening to abandon Bush over this, I just feel sick. It's like a great big temper tantrum, just like my kids used to throw.

I can't believe grown-ups would turn on the very best candidate we have, just because he can't possibly satisfy everyone, all the time.

George W. Bush is by far the best candidate in my opinion, and in the opinion of most reasonable people. He will not lose my vote.

[CaptainK]

Don't forget the free schools for their children and emergency room bills that they don't pay.

[Pubbie]

Actually I read more details and it seems it's still going to be hard for them to get a Green Card because the backlog is so enormous.

My main concern is that Bush would make them all citizens and then the GOP is voted into extinction.

IF this system prevents most of them from ever getting citizenship then I won't have too much of a problem with this thing AND it is TEMPORARY.

[glowworm]

He seems to imply that an applicant for a "alien worker" job must have a sponsering company that offers it. PERIOD So if the company doesn't go through th process of defining the job and searching for an US applicant, then they will be in feloneous breach of the law. (And subject to fine or jail time).. So under these conditions I think this is an acceptable part of the proposal if non-registering illegals are escorted out..

As far as registered aliens getting driver's licence.. If registered for the program.. I have no objections if revoked after the term of employment is over..

Also, a disclaimer should be written.. that offspring children will not get automatic US status but remain citizins of the sponsering Country..

One thing I don't appreciate is Mexicans and South Americas being giving higher quota than any other Country. In my calculation.. those Countrys have surpassed their World quota for 10,000 years in respect to World populations.. I assume that Asia, Europe, Africa.. and other peoples will have per capita access to this program.??

I hope the Congress will do the correct thing for the American people.

[navyblue]

They can now apply for Green Cards.

Exactly! And the Green Card is renewable after they 3 Years. After 5 years, the qualify for citizenship.

Ain't nobody goin home my friend!

Ahh, but I'm forgetting. It's not an amensty! Ohhh, no!

[DrDeb]

"It's a non-starter because there isn't much IN there."

"What do mean? I thought Bush gave detailed proposals (Though he isn't sending a specific bill to Congress)"


Did you even read the speech . . . VERY noncommital with generic sentiments that any RATIONAL conservative could agree with . . . all this hysteria over NOTHING!

. . . perhaps we could all take a moment to remember the IMPORTANT issues like our War on Terrorism* and our battle in Iraq (a battle that today may have included the wounding of our precious OhioWFan's brave son)!!!! PERSPECTIVE FOLKS!

[rintense]

It appears no-one wants to ask the question "why" Americans refuse to take these lower-paying jobs, including our President.

It's because they know that government over the past 50 years has bred a society of 'give me, give me, give me, so I don't have to do it for myself.' Why answer a question when they know THEY are to blame for fostering an 'I deserve better than a ditch digging job, and until someone gives me something better, the government is gonna take care of me' kind of society.

[texasflower]

Do you have a lot a border problems there in Ohio? I live in Texas, I've grown up with this issue. My husband, (now-ex) has worked for the Border Patrol for 20 years.

For my entire life, I have never seen any evidence that these workers are going to destroy us or our economy (or anything else for that matter). Neither has my ex-husband. In fact, he often feels a great empathy for what they will go through to feed their families. Many of the agents feel the same way. I would much prefer these men to some of the homegrown jerks we have here who don't want to work and happily abandon their families.

Our water borders are a much more dangerous issue. (no, not the rivers)

I prefer the fact that these people might have the chance to work legally. It will help on the Homeland Security front.

[Kevin Curry]

A new law, spelling out clearly the rules and punishments, can be enforced. The old laws can not.

My nomination for non sequitur of the week award.

[Pubbie]

I read more about this and it appears it is mainly a temporary Worker's program but still makes it VERY difficult for the Illegals to become citizens due to the backlog in Green Card applications.

My concern was that Bush was creating 12 million Democratic voters - but since it will still be hard for them to become citizens, this calms me a great deal.

I guess that is why La Raza was saying "This isn't enough".

[glowworm]

I would rather allow college students to gather produce instead of them being drawn into the Web porn industry to get through their education..

The "Summer Vacation" was originally implemented to allow school students free to work on agriculture.. Seems it would be a better deal.. all around.. and help with college costs and walk around money. Schools could be ajourned during picking time for that exact purpose.?

[McGavin999]

Apparently you aren't reading anything that is not addressed directly to you but I've answered this before. The law that is currently on the books has been ignored for decades. At that point common law takes over. There is established precident for NOT enforcing the law. Therefore, when the lawyers and activists go to court for these illegals they site the fact that a law shouldn't be arbitrarily enforced, it's unfair to enforce it agaisnt their client since it has NOT been enforced against hundreds of thousands (now up to millions) of others.

A new law changes that.

[CIBGUY]

Of course you're assuming that these illegals will obey the law. Why would they? Nothing's happening to them now.

[BiffWondercat]

At twelve bucks a pop, I can quit my job! Let do it!

[Prolifeconservative]

"It's because they know that government over the past 50 years has bred a society of 'give me, give me, give me, so I don't have to do it for myself.' Why answer a question when they know THEY are to blame for fostering an 'I deserve better than a ditch digging job, and until someone gives me something better, the government is gonna take care of me' kind of society."

BINGO!

And let me add to that, why would anyone want to take one of these lower-paying gigs when we have a Congress not quite finished extending and re-extending unemployment benefits. Heck, who knows, maybe they will extend umemployment for 52 more weeks.

There is even more to this issue then the entitlement programs. The supply and demand of the workforce is at work here. These lower-paying jobs might not be so low-paying if the pool of labor wasn't stocked with, you got it, ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS!!!! Just in theoretical practice, let's ask the question......if we would remove these 10 million illegal immigrants who are absorbing these jobs Americans are supposedly unwilling to take, what would happen to wages in this country? Hmmmmmmm, politicians?

[Pan_Yans Wife]

That makes me think that Bush once again was underestimated. He probably knew that Congress wouldn't go for this. I wonder if the House and Senate will both gain Republican seats due to this issue alone?