Rand Paul's immigration speech

03.19.13 | Hon Sen Rand Paul (KY)

[Perdogg]

Por favor disculpen mi Espanol. Como creCI en Houston -es un poco ‘espanglish y un poco Tex Mex. I lived, worked, played and grew up alongside Latinos. As a teenager I worked alongside immigrants mowing lawns and putting in landscaping around businesses.

I remember once asking one of the immigrant workers how much he was being paid. “Cuanto le Pagan por el trabajo?

He responded “tres dolars.”

I responded, “Yo tambien. Tres Dolars, por hora . . . ?”

He shook shook his head, “No tres Dolars, por dia!”

At a young age, I came to understand that it makes a difference whether you are a documented immigrant or an undocumented immigrant, that the existence was not easy for the undocumented but that opportunity in America somehow trumped even the poor living conditions and low pay.

I wondered what circumstances must have been like in his country to choose an admittedly tough life in the shadows.

Growing up in Texas I never met a Latino who wasn’t working.

In school, everyone took Spanish. I sometimes wish I had paid more attention in class. As a teenager, I was not always the model citizen that I am today…

In my middle school Spanish class, my exuberance sometimes overcame my restraint and I would be asked to go to the principal’s office. My Spanish teacher would scold me,

“En boca cerrada no entran moscas!”

Cuando no lo escuchaba, I would often be sent to the Principal’s office.

In those days we had corporal punishment. After a few such trips to the principal’s office, I discovered that my Spanish teacher was married to the Assistant Principal and they were getting a divorce.

So when I was sent to the principal’s office, I would make the decision to go instead to the Assistant Principal’s office. He and I would commiserate: Oh man she’s crazy! You’re right kid, just sit here today and go back tomorrow.

As a consequence, I never became as proficient with my Spanish as I would have liked because I spent a great deal of time in detention.

I read Miguel de Unamuno in college. I think he gives Republicans some good advice,

He wrote, “Miremos más que somos padres de nuestro porvenir que no hijos de nuestro pasado”

Republicans need to become parents of a new future with Latino voters or we will need to resign ourselves to permanent minority status.

The Republican Party has insisted for years that we stand for freedom and family values. I am most proud of my party when it stands for both.

The vast majority of Latino voters agree with us on these issues but Republicans have pushed them away with harsh rhetoric over immigration.

Immigration is a contentious issue in American politics. In our zeal for border control, we have sometimes obscured our respect and admiration for immigrants and their contribution to America.

Republicans have been losing both the respect and votes of a group of people who already identify with our belief in family, faith, and conservative values. Hispanics should be a natural and sizable part of the Republican base.

That they have steadily drifted away from the GOP in each election says more about Republicans than it does about Hispanics.

Whether we are discussing hard work, respect for life or the quest for freedom, immigrants bring with them the same values that previous generations of immigrants did.

Defense of the unborn and defense of traditional marriage are Republican issues that should resonate with Latinos but have been obscured by the misperception that Republicans are hostile to immigrants.

Somewhere along the line Republicans have failed to understand and articulate that immigrants are an asset to America, not a liability.

My German great-grandparents didn’t speak much English when they came to America. They didn’t have much, but they also didn’t ask for much-all they wanted was an opportunity.

They began in America peddling vegetables. They finally got that opportunity when they started a dairy business in their garage, scraping together a living, raising a family, and constantly working to give their children a better life than they had.

My great-grandfather came to America in the 1880′s. His father died after only six months in America. At 14, my great-grandfather was alone.

He survived and ultimately thrived in his new country with a new language. In their home and their church they spoke German.

Republicans who criticize the use of two languages make a great mistake.

As the son of immigrants, my grandfather, who only had an 8th grade education, would live to see his own children all go to college. They became ministers, professors, doctors and accountants and one of them became a Congressman.

My family’s story is like that of millions of others who came to this country. Every generation of immigrants wants these opportunities.

Many have faced intolerance and bigotry. It was not always easy to be German American in the face of two world wars started by Germans. Intolerance is not new, and it is not limited to one language or skin color.

But through our rich history, and for many millions of immigrants who came to America, such sacrifice and hardship was worth it. They wanted what all Americans want-better lives for themselves, their children and grandchildren.

For the American Dream to be achievable for all, we have to have an educational system that believes that all students have the capability to succeed.

Unfortunately, the education establishment seems to casually discard Latinos, blacks, and others into crummy schools with no hope.

I argue that the struggle for a good education is the civil rights issue of our day.

I love the story of Jaime Escalante.

In the area of East Los Angeles, in 1982, in an environment that values a quick fix over education and learning, Escalante was a new math teacher at Garfield High School determined to change the system and challenge the students to a higher level of achievement.

Escalante was at first not well liked by students, receiving numerous taunts and threats.

As the year progressed, he was able to win over the attention of the students by implementing innovative teaching techniques.

He transformed even the most troublesome teens into dedicated students. While Escalante was teaching basic arithmetic and algebra, he realized that his students have far more potential.

He decided to teach them calculus. To do so, he held a summer course in pre-calculus.

Despite concerns and skepticism of other teachers, who felt that “you can’t teach logarithms to illiterates,” Escalante nonetheless developed a program in which his students can eventually take AP Calculus by their senior year.

Taking the AP Calculus exam in the spring of their senior year, his students were relieved and overjoyed to find that they have all passed, a feat done by few in the state.

My dream is that we transform the education monopoly into a thriving, competitive environment where Hispanic students get to choose what school they attend and that no student is forgotten or ignored.

America’s strength has always been that we are a melting pot with room for those who dare to dream. I’ve seen firsthand what it is like for new immigrants in Texas.

I’ve never met a new immigrant looking for a free lunch.

The question is: How do we now reflect this in our 21st century immigration policy?

It is absolutely vital for both the success of our immigration policy and for the purposes of national security that we finally secure our borders.

Not to stop most immigrants from coming-we welcome them and in fact should seek to increase legal immigration.

The Republican Party must embrace more legal immigration.

Unfortunately, like many of the major debates in Washington, immigration has become a stalemate-where both sides are imprisoned by their own rhetoric or attachment to sacred cows that prevent the possibility of a balanced solution.

Immigration Reform will not occur until Conservative Republicans, like myself, become part of the solution. I am here today to begin that conversation.

Let’s start that conversation by acknowledging we aren’t going to deport 12 million illegal immigrants.

If you wish to work, if you wish to live and work in America, then we will find a place for you.

In order to bring conservatives to this cause however, those who work for reform must understand that a real solution must ensure that our borders are secure.

But we also must treat those who are already here with understanding and compassion.

The first part of my plan – border security – must be certified by Border Patrol and an Investigator General and then voted on by Congress to ensure it has been accomplished.

This is what I call, Trust but Verify.

With this in place, I believe conservatives will accept what needs to come next, an issue that must be addressed: what becomes of the 12 million undocumented workers in the United States?

My plan is very simple and will include work visas for those who are here, who are willing to come forward and work.

A bipartisan panel would determine number of visas per year. High tech visas would also be expanded and have a priority. Special entrepreneurial visas would also be issued.

Fairness is key in any meaningful immigration reform, but this fairness would cut both ways:

The modernization of our visa system and border security would allow us to accurately track immigration.

It would also enable us to let more people in and allow us to admit we are not going to deport the millions of people who are currently here illegally.

This is where prudence, compassion and thrift all point us toward the same goal: bringing these workers out of the shadows and into being taxpaying members of society.

Imagine 12 million people who are already here coming out of the shadows to become new taxpayers.12 million more people assimilating into society. 12 million more people being productive contributors.

Conservatives, myself included, are wary of amnesty. My plan will not grant amnesty or move anyone to the front of the line.

But what we have now is de facto amnesty.

The solution doesn’t have to be amnesty or deportation-a middle ground might be called probation where those who came illegally become legal through a probationary period.

My plan will not impose a national ID card or mandatory E-Verify, forcing businesses to become policemen.

We should not be unfair to those who came to our country legally. Nor should we force business owners to become immigration inspectors-making them do the job the federal government has failed to do.

After an Inspector General has verified that the border is secure after year one, the report must come back and be approved by Congress.

In year two, we could begin expanding probationary work visas to immigrants who are willing to work. I would have Congress vote each year for five years whether to approve or not approve a report on whether or not we are securing the border.

We should be proud that so many want to come to America, that it is still seen as the land of opportunity.

Let’s make it a land of legal work, not black market jobs. Let’s make it a land of work not welfare. Our land should be one of assimilation, not hiding in the shadows.

On immigration, common sense and decency have been neglected for far too long. Let’s secure our borders, welcome our new neighbors, and practice the values of freedom and family for all to see.

Some say to generalize about any ethnic group is be a racist. There is a hilarious Seinfeld episode where Jerry admits that he loves Asian women but he frets and worries, “Is it racist to like a certain race?”

So it is with trepidation that I express my admiration for the romance of the latin culture. I am a fan of Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

In Love in the Time of Cholera, Marquez gives some advice that Republicans might consider,

“. . . human beings are not born once and for all on the day their mothers give birth to them, . . . life obliges them over and over again to give birth to themselves.”

Likewise, Republicans need to give birth to a new attitude toward immigrants, an attitude that sees immigrants as assets not liabilities.

No one captures the romance of the Latin culture more than Pablo Neruda.

I love how Neruda in “Si tu me Olvidas” issues a passionate threat but ends by saying,

“Pero

si cada día,

cada hora,

sientes que a mí estás destinada

con dulzura implacable,

si cada día sube

una flor a tus labios a buscarme,

ay amor mío, ay mía,

en mí todo ese fuego se repite,

en mí nada se apaga ni se olvida”

How can we not embrace such passion. How can we not want that culture to merge with and infuse the American spirit. They are not called the romance languages for no reason.

As we move forward on immigration reform, I for one will work to find a solution that both adheres to the rule of law and makes room for compassion.

My hope is that today we begin a dialogue between the GOP and Latinos.

A dialogue that shows that the GOP sees all immigrants as assets and that Latinos can come to see the GOP as the party of opportunity, the party of the American Dream, — El partido del sueňo Americano.

[Will88]

It is absolutely vital for both the success of our immigration policy and for the purposes of national security that we finally secure our borders. Not to stop most immigrants from coming-we welcome them and in fact should seek to increase legal immigration. The Republican Party must embrace more legal immigration.

Just admit it, Rand, your position is open borders, just as open borders is the libertarian position.

Republicans need to become parents of a new future with Latino voters or we will need to resign ourselves to permanent minority status.

Total delusion. Amnesty will insure permanent minority status for Republicans. 60/40, 70/30? The most recent arrivals (illegal aliens) will break even less for Repubicans. Probably near 80/20.

Hopefully, the state of Kentucky will see fit to find a real conservative senator when Rand is up for reconsideration.

[Vigilanteman]

At a young age, I came to understand that it makes a difference whether you are a documented immigrant or an undocumented immigrant, that the existence was not easy for the undocumented . . .

Well, Rand, you are supposed to be a smart free market guy. If your friend gets suddenly legalized and make tres Dolars per hour, what is going to stop the next unscrupulous employer to bring in his replacement illegal at tres Dolars, por dia?

[The Sons of Liberty]

Imagine 12 million people who are already here coming out of the shadows to become new taxpayers.12 million more people assimilating into society.

This is a pipe dream. If they come out of the shadows, it will be to collect welfare checks. They will never be assimilated, unless we decide to start speaking Spanish to accommodate them.

[knarf]

What a bunch'a re-hashed numbers and dumbocrat talking points.

Looks like Paul/McCain in 2016.

[Little Ray]

Imagine 12 million more people on unemployment and medicaid because, being legal, the price of their labor goes up and they’re replaced with new illegals.

Imagine 12 million people, who owe more loyalty to Mexico that to the USA being able to vote. Imagine 12 million more people more loyal to Mexico, sending for their families...

What an idiot Rand Paul is!

[Girlene]

This was actually a very good speech to appeal to Hispanic voters. BUT, Paul does not seem to think illegals will vote Democrat, use our welfare system (food stamps, Medicaid, etc.), or be a gateway to bringing their extended families into the US.

Why? He’s not stupid.

[kabar]

I am not opposed to everything like many here are, but I am very against giving illegals the vote to vote Dem.

This isn't about the vote but legalization of status, which gives the lawbreakers everything but the vote. It is an amnesty pure and simple. And there is no way the courts would ever uphold two different classes of legal permanent residents, i.e., one with a path to citizenship and one without. They will get the vote eventually.

Politically how does this help the Reps? The Dems will benefit even if there was an attempt to withhold voting rights. The Dems will just use it as ammo against the Reps politically. The next step would be pushing for a path to citizenship citing the fact that the new legalized residents must pay income and payroll taxes, be eligible for the draft, etc. It is a loser politically.

Let's not focus on voting as the central issue. It should be legalizing their status. And let's get real about legal immigration. Every ten years we have what amounts to an amnesty. With 1.2 million LEGAL IMMIGRANTS ENTERING ANNUALLY, they will be able to vote eventually and two thirds of them will vote Dem. Illegal immigration is the shiny little bauble that distracts us from the real game changer--legal immigration. The status quo will make the Dems the permanent majority party. Amnesty just hastens the process.

[maxsand]

Just curious. Does anyone know if you have to press 1 for Spanish in Mexico?

Kinda Like I was wondering if you are of American heritage
and live in South Africa, are you an American-African?

[odawg]

I think, first of all, that Paul has to go back to Kentucky and explain to those who elected him just why he did not run on that platform so they could decide. If he had, he would not be a senator today. Also, the American economy can not provide a place for millions of its native citizens and support entitlements presently. That speech was feel-good stupidity. I got a mailer from him yesterday. I can write more direct in his return envelope.

[FlingWingFlyer]

The really bad news will be released four or five years down the road when the Ken and Barbies on the evening news announce that they had misjudged the number of foreign nationals in this country illegally. The “12 million” turned out to be somewhere between 20 and 30 million.

[HiJinx]

Ping!

Click the keyword Aliens to see more illegal alien, border security, and other related threads.

[bgill]

Let’s start that conversation by acknowledging we aren’t going to deport 12 million illegal immigrants.

Let's start that converstion by acknowledging you aren't going to get my vote.

[GBA]

I'm not sure who he's talking to with much of this speech, but I see that he's showing he's not a heartless monster.

Still...if I only read the first parts, I'd be inclinded to think he had sold out, that he abandoned the Constitutional principles he stood for and those who follow the laws, those who immigrate the legal way, as did his ancestors and mine, and those who work, or want to, and those who spent a lifetime "contributing" to the social systems now diluted, those promises broken.

The progressives tell us that we are told to embrace this unlevel playing field tilted in favor of those who have bypassed the gates, the many who now ride the train for free. Don't tell me they are the same as those who followed the rules, through good times and the bad.

So, while I reject his opening remarks and syrupy emotional framing of illegal immigrants as not speaking to me and starting to piss me off, the more I read, I find the points that need to be made to support this statement:

My plan will not grant amnesty or move anyone to the front of the line.

1) Lock down the border. ("Trust and Verify" whatever that means and looks like.)

2) Increase/reform legal immigration. "Modernize" the system and border security.

3) Document the "undocumented" workers with work visas.

He has repeatedly said it starts with border security.

He left me with the impression he wouldn't support anything that didn't secure the border first.

On this point, I completely agree. Start, or stop, there.

[kabar]

Why? He’s not stupid.

He is ill-informed or he thinks we are stupid. There are so many falsehoods and Orwellian uses of language in this speech, it is disgraceful. Why is he doing it? Naked political ambition and his libertarian bent that sees the free movement of labor regardless of borders. It is naive and dangerous.

Not to stop most immigrants from coming-we welcome them and in fact should seek to increase legal immigration.

The proposition that we need more legal immigrants while 23 million Americans are looking for jobs is insane. During the decade ending in 2010, we had more legal immigrants enter this country in our history, 13.9 million. During that same period we suffered a net loss of 400,000 jobs.

The U.S. adds one international migrant (net) every 36 seconds. Immigrants account for one in 8 U.S. residents, the highest level in more than 90 years. In 1970 it was one in 21; in 1980 it was one in 16; and in 1990 it was one in 13. In a decade, it will be one in 7, the highest it has been in our history. And by 2050, one in 5 residents of the U.S. will be foreign-born.

The nation’s immigrant population (legal and illegal) reached 40 million in 2010, the highest number in our history. The U.S. immigrant population has doubled since 1990, nearly tripled since 1980, and quadrupled since 1970, when it stood at 9.7 million. Of the 40 million immigrants in the country in 2010, 13.9 million arrived in 2000 or later making it the highest decade of immigration in American history, even though there was a net loss of jobs during the decade.

[manic4organic]

Ted Cruz?

[sickoflibs]

RE :” And there is no way the courts would ever uphold two different classes of legal permanent residents, i.e., one with a path to citizenship and one without. They will get the vote eventually. “

I get this argument all the time and it is bogus. The courts dont award citizenship. If your argument is that the Dems will continue to win POTUS elections (by continuing to get hispanics to vote) and will then put more Wise Latino’s on the court to award illegals citizenship, then all bets are off anyway. But congress passes immigration laws.

But courts do NOT award US citizenship.

Calling hispanics brought here as little kids say 5 and raised here getting a US public school diploma (maybe even a college degree) criminals for ‘being illegal’ is a great way to get more Wise Latino’s on the court.
It looks like putting on a white hood demanding they wear gold stars for being 'illegal'.
Those coming here as adults or trafficing their kids here is another story. There is a good case against them.

And as I said, Bohner will pass anything Reid sends him, VAWA now includes protection for illeagls.

How many GOP Senators does Reid need to give illegals the vote? McCain, Grahamnesty, Rubio, Paul....??

Wait till illegals vote in GOP primaries ...

[Jane Long]

FWIW, I called Sen Paul's office and said the exact thing. Not that it will make any difference - it's just sad to see him go "so quickly off the rails".

sigh :(

[Will88]

The “12 million” turned out to be somewhere between 20 and 30 million.

That would happen. In 1986, I think they pretended to expect 1.5 million and got around 3 million. And the 11 million number for illegals has been used for almost ten years now.

[kabar]

40% of the 12 to 20 million illegal aliens came here legally and overstayed their visa. The border is only part of the problem. We need to fully implement the 1996 US-VISIT program to track and deport visa overstays.

My plan will not grant amnesty or move anyone to the front of the line.

An absolute bald lie. His plan is an amnesty that will grant blanket legal status to every illegal in this country and allow them to stay and work here. They are at the front of line, which really begins in their home country. What about the 4 million intending LEGAL immigrants who have filled out all the paperwork and are waiting their turn to enter?

Words have meanings. The Democrats and the mainstream media have hijacked the language surrounding the immigration issue to the point that we had Michael Chertoff, the Secretary of Homeland Security and our nation’s top immigration official at the time, testifying before Congress using the term “undocumented workers” to describe illegal aliens. John McCain and Barack Obama studiously avoided the term “amnesty” to describe their comprehensive immigration reform plans and despite the evidence, baldly declared that it was not an amnesty. Instead, they used such euphemisms as “getting to the back of the line,” “an earned path to citizenship,” and “coming out of the shadows.” The Democrats and pro-amnesty crowd know full well that the American people are against amnesty, hence the avoidance of the “A” word.

[matginzac]

Just heard on Fox, Ryan is in agreement with Paul, Rubio, et al.