Free Republic

The "Gang of Eight" senators argue that their bill (S.744) is not an amnesty because illegal immigrants would have to pay a fine and fulfill other requirements as a condition of legalization. Yet seven recent tax and parking-ticket amnesties imposed conditions and payments on those who violated the law, and in every case these programs were considered to be amnesties by elected officials, the public, and the media. Like the Schumer-Rubio immigration bill, each of the amnesties discussed below set aside the normal penalty, but still required payment. Examples of recent amnesties: * In 2012 Rhode Island offered what the...

Instead of promoting amnesty, Sen. Rubio could demand that the Obama administration enforce 8 U.S.C. § 1302, "Registration of Aliens", which makes it "the duty of every alien" to register their presence in the United States if they remain here 30 days or longer.

Chuck Schumer's Triumph RICH LOWRY 4/17 Everyone presumes Sen. Chuck Schumer, the media hungry Democrat from New York, wants to be the next Senate majority leader. If his performance in the Gang of Eight negotiations over immigration is any indication of his skills in such a role, Harry Reid should abdicate and turn over his leadership position to the New Yorker immediately. Schumer has been at the center of crafting a bill for a mass amnesty of undocumented immigrants that has high-profile, bipartisan support and a chance of becoming law. He had the shrewdness to realize what he needed to...