Bush Reforms Immigration

Minnisota Daily ^ | 11/19/04

[NJ_gent]

"I can see why the government would want temp visas for illegals so they can now try and benefit by taxing thier income."

Shall we grant temporary deferment of prosecution to murderers, rapists, and terrorists so long as they give money to the government? Which other criminal acts (aside from violating the national sovereignty of the United States) shall we 'tax' rather than prosecute? Perhaps we should simply eliminate jails altogether and simply make anyone who commits crimes pay higher taxes? That should make for some interesting IRS letters:

"Mr. Andrews, our records show that you've had 4 DWIs, one of which resulted in the death of 3 people following an accident. Our records further show that you've robbed a convenience store at gunpoint and that you regularly beat your wife. We regret to inform you that your tax rate has been increased from 28% to 44% as a result of these records. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us."

Wallet-before-country is no way to live.

[Marysecretary]

I agree as well. They're coming anyway so we may as well be sure they're documented.

[NJ_gent]

Perhaps border states should begin asking for volunteers to help enforce the borders. I'll bet that they could find plenty of citizens to spend a couple weeks a year guarding the state from invasion.

[NJ_gent]

"They're coming anyway so we may as well be sure they're documented."

That's rather defeatist. I'm certainly glad the Israelies don't share such a view. When they saw an unsecured border, they went to the ancient playbook of what's worked for 10,000 years - build a wall. It's a shame we've yet to learn from history.

[blaquebyrd]

"Illegal immigrants are just as crucial as the trade deficit in the process of managing the US's #1 export; inflation."

If what you say is true then change the law and just let everyone in. We don't need border agents risking their lives for a law President Bush isn't willing to enforce.

[Marysecretary]

There are a lot of jobs, especially in the food industry (McD's, etc.) that go begging because many American kids are too damn lazy to take them. They have been spoiled by parents who want them to have everything THEY didn't have and it's been the ruination of this generation. They don't want menial jobs. They want $35,000 a year. Well, surprise, surprise. You get better paying jobs working your way up.

[blaquebyrd]

"Any politician suggesting amnesty of any type should be subjected to a recall or impeachment...George Included!!!"

Couldn't have said it better. If President Kerry had proposed this amnesty we'd be marching on Washington. Congress will roll over on this and all we'll say is Kerry would have been worse.

[rightinthemiddle]

What happens after these workers have been Americanized and Unionized? Someone will let them know they are victims of oppressive corporations. Someone will tell them they shouldn't work for such a low wage, that they are "victims." Then there's health care, benefits, etc.

All because some "unemployed" Americans are too good to work at such menial jobs.

How about we build all the factories along the border, bus 'em in every day, then bus them back home at night? They get paid in the U.S., pay taxes in the U.S., but live in Mexico?

Simplistic, but a starting point for the long term. I'm not advocating, just bringing it up.

[SuziQ]

It wisely stops short of amnesty by requiring immigrant workers to eventually return home

Then it's NOT an amnesty program like it has been breathlessly reported? Sounds like a plan to encourage those who are here illegally to make themselves known so that they can get work without being exploited, but also so that we can know who's here, and so that they can eventually become legal immigrants. It also sounds like there are some long needed reforms of the whole immigration process in this bill, which may include reducing or restricting immigration from countries known to sponsor terrorism, or allow the use of their country as a harbor for terrorists.

I think it deserves more looking into and less knee-jerk opposition.

[moehoward]

bump

[blaquebyrd]

Do you honestly believe that folks who have already broken the law will voluntarily "eventually return home"? This is amnesty plain and simple it's ridiculous to try and spin it any other way.

[WRhine]

Perhaps border states should begin asking for volunteers to help enforce the borders. I'll bet that they could find plenty of citizens to spend a couple weeks a year guarding the state from invasion.

It's an excellent idea that would be shut down by our benevolent Federal Government. Citizens helping defend our borders from invasion conflicts with the Federal Agenda of encouraging Illegal Immigration.

[txdoda]

The major downside of the proposal is that we all understand that many workers securing these permits will not return, but we will at least have a legal record of them and it might not be quite so easy for them to "stay underground" as it is for completely undocumented workers.

Hey, we've *been* looking for some 300K (*identified*) & already ordered deported since 9-11......we're soooo good at this that these (*identified*) 'absconders' now number over 400K.

If we cannot NOW locate 400K that refuse to leave, how will we locate millions in 3/4 years ???

What makes you think that millions of illegal employers are all *suddenly* going to become LEGAL employers ?? (after they have received the true amnesty in GB's *plan* ??)

So far as illegals paying a *mordida* to the US gov't to become legal, we've BEEN doing just this with the 245(i) amnesties......& they did not STOP the border invasion, & most believe many MORE illegals sneak in to await the NEXT reward.

[NJ_gent]

"It's an excellent idea that would be shut down by our benevolent Federal Government. Citizens helping defend our borders from invasion conflicts with the Federal Agenda of encouraging Illegal Immigration."

Now that's something I'd love to see - the Federal government trying to interfere with a state government and its voluntary citizen militia protecting its borders from invasion... Such an event could very well spell the collapse of the Federal government if both sides held their ground.

[Fatalis]

By no means is the President's plan perfect. But faced with the difficult alternatives as we now are it appears to me that it is the best we can do.

Congressman Tancredo has a better guest worker proposal that would encourage illegal aliens to leave for positive oportunites and would provide negative consequences for staying. The Tancredo plan is also more politically viable than the President's in that it won't legalize any illegal aliens. If President Bush seriously desires immigration reform, he should drop the McCainian amnesty aspects of his guest worker proposal and incorporate Tancredo's plan.

[NJ_gent]

It's all about reaching equilibrium - which is far easier to do without artificial influences like illegal immigrants taking an under-the-table pittance. If you think we need more immigrants in this country to take these sorts of jobs, support reforms that would allow more immigrants to legally enter the country. Supporting criminals and the companies that illegally hire criminals just isn't the way to go.

Wallet-before-country is just wrong.

[TheOracleAtLilac]

Facts: illegal immigration is a MAJOR problem that is totally out of control & must be dealt with
illegal immigration is not limited to border states
wholesale rounding up & deporting of illegals (& dependents) is not practical/feasible

Where do we start ?
get a "handle" of the situation by "registering" illegals & potential employers of same
Once done, further steps will become evident.

[Fatalis]

Lock down Arizona and they will simply move to the next easier area -

That's why the solution isn't going to be found with overemphasis on more border band aids, but rather with better interior enforcement coupled with a reasonable guest worker program that requires applications from the workers' home countries. Reduce demand and regulate supply.

[txdoda]

But with an aging populace I can see why the government would want temp visas for illegals so they can now try and benefit by taxing thier income.

There is NO SHORTAGE of people wanting to come to the USA LEGALLY.

In only 2 months some 9.5 MILLION people registered for the 50K visa's the US hands outs yearly, in our 'visa lottery'.

[JoeBob]

There are already civilian volunteer groups trying to protect our southern borders. They appear to be tacitly supported by the rank and file Border Patrol agents but opposed by the upper echelon. Go to the following non-government sites to read more.
www.ranchrescue.com; www.americanborderpatrol.com; www.immigrationcontrol.com; These sites will open your eyes.