Posted on 12/15/2004 7:26:47 PM PST by nanak
If President Bush is going to keep his promise to spend political capital on a bold second-term agenda, he should include comprehensive immigration reform that offers deserving illegal immigrants a path to citizenship.
To do so, he'd have to face down a noisy, but not large, anti-immigrant claque in the Republican Party that's determined to use the threat of terrorism as an excuse to, in effect, erect "Stay Out!" signs at the U.S. border, even to restrict legal immigration.
In reality, creating a process to legalize illegals would help homeland security by allowing law enforcement agencies to concentrate on border security and tracking down criminals and potential terrorists — rather than chasing after millions of ordinary undocumented aliens, especially Hispanics.
This logic seems to have impressed border-state Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who has told immigrant-rights groups that comprehensive immigration reform is his top priority for the next Congress.
McCain has begun working on reform with Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., who favors granting legal status — and, eventually, citizenship — to illegals who have been in the country for several years, have jobs, pay taxes, maintain clean records, learn English and pay a fine.
Bush has a record of favoring immigration reform, but it remains unclear how far he's willing to go with it. In 2001, he seemed to favor a process that would allow illegals to earn their way to citizenship. This year, he's advocated a worker-permit program that may or may not lead to permanent legal status.
It's a good sign that the administration worked to exclude language sought by House Judiciary Chairman Jim Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., from the intelligence reform legislation that recently passed Congress.
Bush will face a new test when Sensenbrenner's measure — which would bar states from giving drivers' licenses to illegal aliens — comes back for consideration next year. He and other restrictionists argued that, because some of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorists gained access to aircraft using drivers' licenses as identification, all illegal aliens should be denied them.
But this is simply a device to make life more difficult for illegal aliens. The 9/11 terrorists, or any terrorists, just as easily could have used their passports — or could use phony passports, or drivers' licenses — to board aircraft.
The commission that investigated the 9/11 disaster specifically declared that its report called for "strong federal standards for the issuance of birth certificates and other sources of identification, such as drivers' licenses, to avoid the identity fraud that terrorists can exploit. We did not make any recommendations about licenses for undocumented aliens. That issue did not arise in our investigation, as all hijackers entered the United States with documentation ... (and) were therefore 'legal immigrants' at the time when they received their drivers' licenses."
To foster humane and effective immigration reform, Bush will need to re-educate the public, which tends to hold (according to polls) that America would be better off with fewer immigrants, both legal and illegal.
In fact, most serious studies show that immigrants are a net asset to the country. Illegal immigrants tend to take menial jobs that Americans won't. They pay taxes. But because they live in the legal shadows, they often get exploited by unscrupulous employers.
On Sept. 6, 2001, with Mexican President Vicente Fox at his side, Bush said, "There are many in our country who are undocumented, and we want to make sure their work is legal."
Soon after, in a White House briefing, officials told immigrant-rights groups that the administration leaned toward allowing illegals to earn their way toward citizenship.
But all work on immigration reform stopped after Sept. 11. It resurfaced this year as Bush worked to expand his support among Hispanic voters. At one point, he called for a work-permit system for illegals and told the League of United Latin American Citizens, "We will keep working to make this nation a welcoming place for Hispanic people, a land of opportunity para todos (for all) who live here in America."
On the other hand, apparently in a bid to appease restrictionists in the GOP, administration officials also indicated that workers would have to return to their home countries when their work permits expired. This provision almost surely would discourage illegals from signing up.
Though analysts differ on the quality of exit-poll data on Hispanics, the Election Day numbers do indicate that Bush gained anywhere from five to nine points among Hispanics. Future growth for the GOP in this demographic depends upon who calls the shots on policy — Bush and McCain, or restrictionists such as Reps. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., Elton Gallegly, D-Calif., and Dana Rohrabacher, R-Calif.
Even though Tancredo and company get wide publicity — and have been aided recently by anti-immigration television and radio hosts, such as CNN's Lou Dobbs — their legislative power in Congress has actually been waning.
In 1995, by a vote of 257-173, the House passed an amendment offered by Gallegly that would have required public schools to expel the children of illegal immigrants.
By contrast, this May, the House defeated, by a vote of 331-88, a Rohrabacher proposed amendment that would have prevented hospitals from being reimbursed for medical care provided to undocumented immigrants unless they reported them to the Homeland Security Department.
On the other hand, this November, Arizona voters approved ballot Proposition 200, a measure designed to squeeze illegal immigration, by almost 60 percent. (Its implementation is being held up in court.)
McCain cited Prop. 200 — plus vigilante action by Arizonans against illegals and the deaths of illegal border-crossers in the Arizona deserts — as his motivation for making immigration reform his top priority.
In the 108th Congress, McCain sponsored, along with Reps. Jim Kolbe, R-Ariz., and Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., legislation similar to Kennedy's that would have granted a path to citizenship to qualified illegals.
Kennedy's legislation, however, also would have expedited citizenship for the spouses and children of legal immigrants, clearing backlogs of five to seven years, depending on the country of origin.
It's not clear whether Bush will propose his own legislation next year or wait for Congress to act and get involved, as he often does, when House and Senate conferees are hammering out final legislation.
On this issue, though, having Bush's leadership early on would be welcome. He could also order the Homeland Security Department to use judgment before it summarily expels illegals who are parents of small children or locks up asylum-seekers whether they present a terrorist threat or not.
Restrictionists will charge that "amnesty" simply encourages illegal immigration. Bush can respond that "earned legalization" recognizes the reality that 9 million illegal aliens are not leaving — and that authorities should stop chasing them and focus on terrorists.
I only included the first part of the sentence because the rest after "pool," wasn't pertinent to my point. It doesn't help or hurt my assertion that the rich disgust you. I think it is plain to every body that the Mexican worker disgusts you also. There was no need to point out your digested by Mexicans.
I just think it's funny how "real patriot, God fearing, and flag loving, conservatives" wish TB on others and then another twit chimes in with "amen." That's very Christian of the holier-than-thou moral soldiers of the right fringe.
More La Raza talking points.
Got proof?
They steal, buy, or make up social security numbers.
What is it about the term "illegal" do you not understand?
I understand the word fine.
First, all crimes are not equal. People who speed break the laws. People who litter break the law. And people who trespass (like illegals) break the law. They are criminals. See? I got it right. None of these offenses is necessarily punishable by jail or even fines. Many people get warnings.
Most of the illegals work multiple jobs, pay taxes, and love God, their family, and America. Their crime is wanting a better life and crossing a border. Last Oct the limit for guest workers was met in one day. Chances are they would never be legally allowed in America with the system we have today. I think that is sad, because their is so much room in America for people who want to work hard and make their community better. The INS and immigration rules are screwed up. They need to be changed and they will be. I don't think legislation is coming because immigration is in the news. We have had an immigration problem for a long time. Dubya promised immigration reform when he ran in 2000 and only 911 postponed it. The reason why you are hearing about illegal immigration in the news is because legislation is coming. There will be a debate and reason will win out.
Second, the law is wrong. There used to be a time when it was illegal for slaves to run away from their master. Those who broke the law and were not caught before the law changed were not later rounded up, sent back to the master, and told they must now remain slaves because they didn't play by the rules.
Third, your anger at business is misguided and naive. State rules differ, but the federal government requires employees to fill out a W2 for taxes, and I-9 for legal identification. If a new hire comes in with fake documents the employer is NOT authorized to question the documents. He can only file them. If an employer made the mistake of questioning a legal worker's document he would open himself up to litigation, and charges of discrimination. The employer does not have the right to dispute the documents. That is the responsibilty and duty of the INS.
The I-9 requires 2 forms of ID like birth certificates, drivers licenses, and other document that are not standardized from state to state, county to county, city to city. The right fringe recently tried to stop everyone else from passing regulations and standards for birth certificates and drivers licenses, along with more border agents, holding cells for captured illegals, and information gathering streamlining. They got shrill and puffed out their chests. They pounded on the podium and declaired loudly "THIS WILL NOT STAND! We ARE the majority!"...but they failed. Like they always fail. It must be a conspiracy...a conspiracy of the sane.
Do you ever wonder why you never get a choice? Why the best voices for your opinion are pariahs? I think it must be because you have no idea how you sound.
But a major party nominee against illegal immigration is a completely different story. And I think you might be surprised at what happens if the Dems wisen up, and put an anti-amnesty candidate on the ticket in 2008, againt a pro-amnesty Republican like McCain, Giuliani, or Frost.
Hillery would be the best thing that could happen to us. She would guarantee the biggest Republican turnout in history. If she wants to offend minorities and civil rights groups so much the better. I pray for the day that civil rights, the rights of the unborn, and human rights are returned to their rightful place in the Republican Party. The rats never deserved those issues and they have failed miserably to advance the lives of anyone in the last 50 years.
Who is Ander Obermann? I did a search on "Ander Obermann" and came up with only 3 hits all of which are connected with this article. I bet this is a letter to the editor from some kook spaced out on cough syrup and wood alchol. When the hell did Ander Obermann interview Reagan? No one have ever heard of him before Oct 18, 2004. Are you kidding me? This is your proof against an man's entire life's work? I think Ander Obermann is Woodward. He got the confession from Reagan on his deathbed. There isn't even a quote. Get out of my face.
Those are good points I can't dispute them.
I don't believe he would advocate shooting defenseless children crossing the border or tattooing scarlet letter I's on the faces, but that's just the moral relativism of the right fringe.
Huh? What do you know about that? Do you think those 200 voters voted for Bush too? Even when they knew what a RINO traitor he is? Well, I'll be darned.
I read your post and I've already refuted everything in it.
My feelings are hurt, you haven't responded.
Bush was smart for staying away from the immigration issue in this election. He'll be smart if he stays away from it for the next four years. Let the Buchananites duke it out with the WSJ consersatives in 2008.
I think that is a stupid idea. Why send back hard working trained illegals who have a history and place in their communities? I'll meet you half way...if the illegal is unemployed and receiving aid from the state ship them back and replace them with guest workers/future citizen. If the illegal has a history of trouble with the law ship him back and replace him with guest workers/future citizens. If the illegal refuses to register ship him back and replace him with guest workers/future citizens. Once the guest worker program is hammered out and in place, there should be exceptions for the first 2 examples and none for the last.
If a guest worker is recently laid off but actively looking for work some time should be allowed, and some misdemeanor violations should not automatically trigger deportation.
A good work history with the ability to provide for the family and sustained roots in the community should qualify most illegals for legal work status. Reasonable people can determine what constitutes a good work history and the rest.
Is it so hard for you to believe I admire these people and I want them to have a shot at the American dream and the future they are already helping to create? In many illegal families both the mother and father work, sometime 16 hours a day while an extended family member helps raise the children. Employers like Mexican workers, legal or otherwise, because they work hard and rarely call out sick. Then they thank the sweet Mother Mary for their blessings, unlike many spoiled American teens who think the world owes them a job even though they didn't learn a damn thing in school.
And I'm sorry to go off on a tangent but even if the schools were better, and more parents cared, there will still be some stupid lazy screw up American teens, who would no doubt grow old with disgrace and indignity. Later when they reached the age of cantankerous and grizzled they would join the Constipation Party so they could blame the rest of the world for their status in life. Employers do not owe them a job just because an American drug store was closed on a "hot" weekend.
I see illegals being treated the same way the Chinese were treated in 1875, and my great grand parent at the turn of the 20th century. I think the current immigration laws leave illegals with little choice but to cross the border. I am proud that Bush has the guts to move the issue forward just as Reagan did in 1986. Reagan's efforts failed many but about 3 million illegals did win citizenship. I hope Dubya has greater success. I know some of the brightest minds on the planet are advising him, and I believe Dubya is praying for divine guidence as well. He's got a good team.
Thank for the very kind words. I actually did post it on an existing thread and I really liked the way it turned out. Glad you liked it too.
How is your pension affected by the number of illegals? The state can't refuse to pay your pension. This doesn't make sense to me. Can you explain it??
Even the liberal state of Washington is doing all they can to keep out immigrants. Being Demo's their just slicker about it.
Then you are getting what you want from the rat party. I don't know if you have to register under a particular party in advance of voting (In Wisconsin we let anyone vote whenever) but you may want to switch parties before it is too late to vote for those patriotic rats who understand sovereignty.
The numbers just don't add up to continue our high levels of immigration. Specially with the "free trade" crowd in control.
I understand that this is your opinion, but I don't agree. I think we need a lot more immigration. I see no downside of admitting workers to come in and work, somebody has got to pay for all the people on pensions.
I saw the Kaiser Steel plant in Fontana, packed up bolt by blot and shipped to China and two plants in Burlington, Washington also packed and shipped off to China. All these facilities paid decent money, and the last time I checked back in Cali, few of the steel workers found jobs paying any where near what Kaiser paid.
Think maybe they packed up their bags because China has cheap workers plus they don't have to pay SS, unemployment insurance, federal, state, workman's comp, etcetera? Do you think America is better off with businesses that stay in the US or move to China. Do you think removing 10 million people from the work pool will drive up wages?
Wages can only go up so far before a business man who is risking his money creating jobs decides it is more profitable to close the business and invest elsewhere.
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