Posted on 06/14/2007 11:16:52 AM PDT by kristinn
A spokeman for the Bush administration sent an e-mail to Jim Robinson and myself confirming the authenticity of a post on Free Republic this afternoon regarding the immigration bill currently before the Senate as having been posted on behalf of the White House.
The spokesman, Nicholas Thompson, works for the White House Office of Strategic Initiatives. The Politico reported yesterday that Thompson and Kerrie Rushton, associate directors in the Office of Strategic Initiatives who work under Karl Rove, would be engaging the blogosphere on the immigration bill.
Thompson's post is on the thread titled Penalty Mitigation in the Immigration Reform Bill, a vanity posted by philman_36. Thompson posted at comment #53.
Thompson's e-mail to Free Republic included a brief introduction and the text of his posted comment:
Hi,
I just wanted to let you know that I just posted a response to the post "Penalty Mitigation in the Immigration Reform Bill."
The White House appreciates the opportunity to respond on Free Republic.
Response:
I would like to point out that the Secretary is authorized to reduce or mitigate penalities against employers who in good faith are trying to comply with the law. Certainly, we understand that not all employers knowingly hire illegal immigrants; this will remain the case, especially before the bill’s new secure documentation requirements are fully phased in. We do not seek to wrongly penalize honest employers who unknowingly hire illegal immigrants, therefore we reserve the right to reduce or mitigate their penalties if the employer can show good faith compliance in following the law.
For those employers who do knowingly hire illegal immigrants, please know that we intend to penalize these employers strongly, and the Administration has already stepped up these penalties in the last couple of years. For example, a 2005 program, “Operation Rollback,” assessed $15,000,000 in civil fines to employers, an amount greater than the sum of administrative fines collected in the previous eight years and was the largest worksite enforcement penalty in US history. In the first quarter of FY07, criminal and civil forfeitures have totaled $26,700,000 for employers.
As a reminder of what’s in the bill, fines for hiring an illegal worker are $5,000 maximum per illegal worker for the first offense, $10,000 maximum per illegal worker for the second, $25,000 maximum per illegal worker for the third , and $75,000 maximum per illegal worker for the fourth. In addition, the bill increases the maximum criminal penalty for a pattern or practice of unlawful hiring twenty-five-fold, from $3,000 to $75,000, and would impose a prison term of up to six months. This represents a significant increase in fines for employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants.
Nicholas Thompson
White House Office of Strategic Initiatives
Just in case someone in the White House missed it...
“Worse than sad
It’s deliberate evil lies from the WH
Now they and the dems say “most of America wants......”
From an LA Times rigged push poll !!!!!
—
The latest Rasmussen poll says 55% of dems are for border enforcement - no amnesty!
Republicans over 90%!
And 80% of all Americans are against this Scamnasty Bill”
You “speak” the truth!
hehe I dare say we have given him a TAD bit to read....
I’ve never seen that happen before, either.
Too wierd...
.
I see all the numbers!
Kick your PCs!
What’s all the growing up stuff all about?
Did you see my copy and paste? LOLOL, I know it didn’t show up there except by magic to you maybe...??
Thanks for adding this. I don't hear any Senators adding this to the bill.
LOL!
My computer is seriesly geriatric.
I don’t want to tick it off. ;o)
hey dixiechick ;)
Until the border is secure, there is nothing to talk about, ‘cuz I know you’re lying.
Last year we were promised a fence, which hardly secures the border, but it’s certainly a start.
Where is the fence? Oh, that’s right, we don’t have one.
If we can’t even get as simple as a fence, something anyone could build, and a hundred companies could be working one all at once, how are we going to get any of the more intricate, difficult border security systems? Answer, we aren’t.
Border Patrol Agents who fulfill their sworn obligation to defend our borders are arrested and imprisoned. THAT is going to convince us that you’re serious about the border? What nonsense.
Our immigration policy is racist. Everyone has to obey the law, EXCEPT those who come from Mexico. A hundred illegal Cubans risking their lives in the ocean? Kick them out! A few Haitians? OUT! A container full of Chinese? GONE! A MILLION Mexicans? Imprison the wayward Border Patrol agent who dares to attempt to detain them.
History is a great instructor. We have six year history of this administration, and it is consistent with Bushes campaign. He campaigned for a more open border. Now, suddenly, his words say it will be secure. The deeds say otherwise. History instructs everyone who listens that you are lying to us.
From your link:
As of 2005, just over 80 miles of federally enforced barriers and fencing were at strategic points on the border, mainly in Texas and California.
This seems to refer to the few miles of existing fence. The law signed in Oct 2006 called for an additional 700~854 miles of new fencing. From what I've read, only 2~11 miles of that fence has been completed.
There you are!
Hey, yourself! ;o)
What is it of your concern? Was I directing it at you? Back off.
Where’s the rabbits? Give me post #’s (lol)
Bravo! Most Excellent choice.
Yes....long past time for the grand old flags!
Had some decent dialogue this morning. Tried to engage several this afternoon, but no luck. Won’t even try (lol)
BUMP DAT FO’SHO...
1000
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