Paper: scaled-down immigration plan in the works

Austin American Statesman ^ | February 11, 2008 | Eunice Moscoso

[CCGuy]

They apply in their home countries at U.S. embassies with people familiar with the local record systems and departments.

I should know. I pulled two one-year embassy duty assignments during my Air Force career.

You can fight for the rights of law breakers all you want. You know it is wrong to reward people for breaking the law just as much as everyone else does.

A nation cannot exist without borders, a common language, and the rule of law.

[Travis McGee]

[Just another Joe]

I am not fighting for the rights of lawbreakers.
I am trying, unsuccessfully to tell the truth, to come up with an immigration reform that would satisfy people like us, without having to send out of the country every illegal alien working in the USA today.

I really believe that if we try to send every illegal alien in the USA out of the country we will have a level of violence unleashed that we have not seen internal to this country in more than a century.

[3AngelaD]

No, you ARE unclear on the concept. Here it is again: Rule of Law is a PRINCIPLE. Immutable. Unchangeable. Non-negotiable.

Laws are laws. They are passed and can be changed or rescinded. And as far as your cringing, paralyzing fear of violence goes,

The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time, with the blood of patriots and tyrants. -- Thomas Jefferson

[July 4th]

Here’s a thought. Let’s actually create a program that allows skilled immigrants from America-friendly countries to come to the US without the limits and hassles of the current program. I know a few intelligent guys from Spain who would love to be here (and work/create value here) but throw their hands up in the air at the immigration bureaucracy.

[truthkeeper]

I really believe that if we try to send every illegal alien in the USA out of the country we will have a level of violence unleashed that we have not seen internal to this country in more than a century.

I'm ready.

[3AngelaD]

I think all immigration should be skill based. That said, there still has to be come kind of vetting process. I don’t know which limits and hassles of the current program you are talking about, but even skill-based immigration should not be made into some kind of entitlement for the entire world.

[Owen]

What is all the outrage?

FR has already proven it does not care about illegals or amnesty. It did not oppose McCain at absolutely all costs.

There is a tradition of absolutism at FR. FR abandoned that tradition when it chose “nuanced arguments” rather than opposing McCain at all costs. FR didn’t really care about illegals. FR didn’t support the only competent campaign that could have stopped McCain. FR chose instead to reward McCain’s Amnesty effort last year by arranging for him to win the GOP nomination.

[Just another Joe]

And as far as your cringing, paralyzing fear of violence goes

Cringing? Paralyzing?
You're talking to the wrong person and being quite insulting while you're at it.
I have served my country in the military and have no qualms about trying to avoid violence whenever I can.
Violence is, or SHOULD be, the LAST resort, not the first.

All I'm trying to do is come up with an answer that will satisfy most people without having to resort to violence.
I can see that you have no interest in that so I will bid you good day.

[Just another Joe]

You may be ready. You may have a fortified position, enough weapons and ammo to start a small to middling size war, provisions to feed you and your immediate family for an extended period of time, and the guts to actually take on anyone coming for you and yours.

Are you ready to say that everyone you care about or respect is in the same way?

Are you actually willing to have war in the streets if it can be avoided with a good plan?

I'm not saying that I have the plan, but at least I'm willing to put a few brain cells to work to TRY to avoid violence.

[truthkeeper]

I'm willing to put a few brain cells to work to TRY to avoid violence.

Occasionally I read a post on this forum that leaves me speechless. Yours is one.

I'll just add that you REALLY need to come to Southern California and leave it at that.

[Just another Joe]

I understand that there are areas in this country that are, literally, overrun by illegal aliens.
I understand that there is gang violence associated with illegal aliens.
I UNDERSTAND that every job an illegal alien takes is a job that is not available to a US citizen or legal alien.
I understand this makes some people want to deport every illegal alien post haste, whether they would make a good neighbor or not.

I also understand that violence throughout this country is something that anyone with common sense would rather avoid, if at all possible.
I also understand that there are illegal aliens that I would rather have as neighbors than some citizens I have had dealings with.
I also understand that the answer has to be one that satisfies the majority of citizens wants and needs.

I would rather try to find an answer that avoids violence if at all possible.
If that can't be done, I can truthfully tell you, I am ready also.
Just because I have the means doesn't mean I want to use them.

[truthkeeper]

Just because I have the means doesn't mean I want to use them.

I never said I wanted to.

I only said I'm ready.

[Niteflyr]

No one is above the law. No one's behavior is exempt from the law. The law cannot be ignored or jettisoned just because the government or a faction finds it inconvenient.

What part of that do our leaders not understand??????

[Niteflyr]

I really believe that if we try to send every illegal alien in the USA out of the country we will have a level of violence unleashed that we have not seen internal to this country in more than a century.

A lot of blood has been shed to preserve the American way...so your point is????

[Niteflyr]

No one of sound mind wants violence...but it must be pointed out continually it is an option if diplomacy fails...even with our so-called “friends” to the south....

[Niteflyr]

What is all the outrage? FR has already proven it does not care about illegals or amnesty. It did not oppose McCain at absolutely all costs. There is a tradition of absolutism at FR. FR abandoned that tradition when it chose “nuanced arguments” rather than opposing McCain at all costs. FR didn’t really care about illegals. FR didn’t support the only competent campaign that could have stopped McCain. FR chose instead to reward McCain’s Amnesty effort last year by arranging for him to win the GOP nomination.

Sadly I have to agree with you there...

[Just another Joe]

A lot of blood has been shed to preserve the American way...so your point is????

My point was, partially, what you pointed out in post 116.

No one in their right mind WANTS violence happening in our streets.....but, it seems that some folks don't want to try to come up with an answer, a plan, to avoid that type of violence.

I never said it wasn't an option. I even expressed the opinion that if it comes to violence, I feel the USA could handle it.

Some people can't get past the fact that I would like to see a plan, that would avoid the violence, even if it takes some compromise on SOME points.

[TigersEye]

It is hardly scaled down enough. “Scaled down” is just smoke and mirrors.