• Joe Barton (R-TX) Turns To Amnesty Side of illegal immigration debate

    By GROMER JEFFERS JR.
    Political Writer
    Published: 25 April 2014 10:28 PM
    Updated: 25 April 2014 10:28 PM

    Rep. Joe Barton (202-225-2002) said Friday that he was close to introducing a sweeping proposal to overhaul the nation’s immigration system.

    The plan will include a path to citizenship for children in the country illegally and a mechanism to give legal status to adults who are in the country illegally but have not committed other crimes.

    Barton, R-Arlington, said his bill would be ready in a month to six weeks.

    “If it were to become law, it would solve the problem,” Barton said during a recording of Lone Star Politics, which airs at 8:40 a.m. Sunday on KXAS-TV (NBC5).

    Barton said his plan would put a heavy emphasis on border security, which could help mollify the most conservative Republicans in Congress.

    But he said that “minor children” would get a path to citizenship and that there would be an effective guest worker program for immigrants with jobs. And Barton would give adults in the country illegally a chance to gain legal status, but not citizenship.

    “If the only illegal act they committed was coming in the country without proper documentation, we put them on a path to legalization, not citizenship,” Barton said.

    Many Republicans are wary of any kind of new citizenship or legal status for those in the country illegally, saying it amounts to amnesty. A sweeping measure to allow a path to citizenship has passed the Senate.

    Barton said he would have support for his plan from Republicans and Democrats. But he acknowledged it would face significant opposition in his own party.

    He said it was time Republicans took a different approach to the issue, noting that his 8-year-old son attended a school where half the students are Hispanic, including his two best friends.

    “They are Americans, and we need to acknowledge that and find a way, to those that wish to be a part of the American dream for opportunity, to make them legal.” Barton said.

    The lawmaker said being on the wrong side of the issue could hurt Republicans in future elections.

    “Republicans need to start talking about it,” he said. “I’m a part of the majority party in the largest state that’s still Republican, and I want to keep it that way.”
    This article was originally published in forum thread: Rep. Barton to offer bill for kids in U.S. illegally to become cititzens started by Jean View original post