Thread: Bush faces more trouble over immigration bill

http://today.reuters.com

Bush faces more trouble over immigration bill
Tue Mar 14, 2006 2:33 PM ET

By Alan Elsner

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President George W. Bush, whose administration suffered a stinging setback over a Dubai company's deal to operate some U.S. port terminals, faces another brewing Republican revolt over immigration reform.

With the full Senate due to take up the issue before the end of March, Republicans are split over what to do about the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in the country. Whichever way they turn, some part of their governing coalition will be furious, analysts said.

The issue could also antagonize Hispanic voters -- a swing group Bush has targeted as a source of Republican growth -- before November elections in which Democrats are seeking to regain control of Congress.

"I have seen virtually no agreement on anything when it comes to this immigration bill. Emotions are running at an all-time high," said Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. He spoke as debate began in his committee on an ambitious overhaul of U.S. immigration law.

Specter is pushing Bush's proposal to create a guest-worker program for jobs that Americans either cannot or will not do. The committee is also trying to agree on a provision for illegal aliens to gain legal status.

That has angered a sizable anti-immigration wing in the Republican Party. More than 90 House members, nearly all Republicans, have joined a caucus headed by Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredo, who has vowed to derail Bush's guest-worker plan and any legislation that smacks of what he calls "amnesty" for illegal immigrants.

"There is a loud group of anti-immigration folks out there for whom this is the main issue they care about. They make a lot of noise, send e-mails and write and call their congressional representatives," said John Gay of the National Restaurant Association, which backs a guest-worker program and a way for illegal immigrants to become legal.

"This issue splits both parties but it splits the Republicans more," he said.

In a debate roiled by charges of xenophobia and lax security, Republican lawmakers broke with Bush this month and forced a Dubai company pull back from its plans to acquire management of some terminal operations in six major U.S. ports.

On immigration, Massachusetts Democrat Sen. Edward Kennedy has pushed for a guest-worker program and a path for legalization, but many Democrats have been content to watch the Republicans fight, said Steve Camarota of the Center for Immigration Studies.

One Republican aide said the party needed a major accomplishment before the November election. But others doubt an immigration overhaul can pass this year because the issue is so divisive.

The House of Representatives, where anti-immigration sentiments are stronger than in the Senate, passed a bill last December to tighten border security and toughen enforcement against illegal immigrants.

700 MILES OF FENCE

It included money to build 700 miles of fencing along the Mexican border. But there was no guest-worker program and no mechanism for illegal aliens to become legal.

"The House bill electrified the Hispanic community. Tens of thousands have showed up for rallied against it. This could really turn out the Latino vote in the November mid-term elections," said Michele Waslin of the National Council of La Raza, the country's largest Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization.

The House bill also included a clause stating that anyone who helps undocumented immigrants live or remain in the United States, or transports or harbors them knowingly, could face prosecution and even imprisonment.

Opponents said the provision could make criminals out of doctors, social workers, welfare agencies, teachers or priests who assist illegal immigrants. Supporters said the provision was aimed at alien smugglers and those who knowingly exploit illegal immigrants by giving them low-wage jobs.

Bush won 44 percent of the Latino vote in the 2004 presidential election. But he may have little influence on the immigration debate because of his low approval rating, said Tamar Jacoby, an immigration expert with the Manhattan Institute think-tank.

Polls show Americans are worried about the porous southern border. However, a Time Magazine poll in January found around three quarters favored allowing illegal immigrants to become legal if they leaned English, had a job and paid taxes.

This is one hell of a biased article.

W

Originally Posted by ALIPAC

This is one hell of a biased article.

W

Remember! George has never left his home alone.
George has never been "One of the Guy`s"
George has never been "Broke".
George has never needed anything he didn`t get.
I doubt if george has ever played Little League Baseball.
George bush has never been American.
George bush is not a "Veteran".
George bush has nothing to do with America yet he is the leader of this country.
If I were georges "Veteran Father",I would be asamed to go out in Public.
If I were georges"Veteran Father",I would embarrassed to go the any Veteran functions.
I resigned from the "American Leagon" because thay allowed "george bush" to ware a hat with the word "Veteran" emblazed on it,in their own house.
George bush gives support the 1947 Alien,ie "Space Man" Capture in Rosswell........."Hanger 51"
george bush knows nothing about "Real America".He has never seen it.
[/code]

That has angered a sizable anti-immigration wing in the Republican Party.

"There is a loud group of anti-immigration folks out there for whom this is the main issue they care about. They make a lot of noise, send e-mails and write and call their congressional representatives,"

It gets so tiresome to hear this lie repeated time and time again. There is not one piece of anti-immigrant legislation before congress or proposed that I know of. The issue is about illegal migration. Where is this phantom group of loud anti-immigration folks? The issue that people are speaking out about is those criminals who break immigration laws. Nobody is complaining about legal immigrants. But writers like this, just like dumbass Bush, purposely lump illegal aliens together with legal immigrants so they can accuse 80% of Americans of being "anti-immigrant."

George never reached full emotional and behavorial maturity. That is a typical psychological characteristic of persons with addiction disorders.

Remember, George is and alcoholic and cocaine addict. He never matured beyond the point in time when he first became addicted to either.

http://www.alanelsner.com/bio.htm

Homepage
http://www.alanelsner.com/Contact.htm

gatesofinjustice@aol.com

Mr. Elsner:

As I searched for your e-mail address, I traipsed upon your photo with your arms around President Bush and the graphic distortions and bias found in your article were explained by that picture worth a thousand words.

Is George Bush arranging for you to be paid for this tripe you consider journalism? Interestingly enough, your e-mail title is "gatesofinjustice' and that certainly defines your article 'Bush faces more trouble over immigration bill'

First, you claim the immigration issues in congress could antagonize Hispanic voters. Did you bother to seek any empirical information about this statement or did you just make a racial assumption about the matter? Several polls show that over half the LEGAL Hispanic population of America opposes benefits for illegal immigrants. Over 47% of Hispanic voters voted for the tough Proposition 200 in Arizona that denies all benefits to illegal aliens and calls on state employees to report them to ICE. I would expect someone writing statements about the views of Hispanic voters would check on these facts.

You then allow Senator Specter to ramble on about "no agreement" on immigration issues in DC without bothering to mention there is a great deal of consensus with the American public. Poll after poll after poll shows over 80+% of Americans want employers fined, the borders secured, local police enforcing immigration laws, and benefits removed from the hands of illegals.

Then, ignoring the anger of the American public, you focus on Republicans in the Congress and call them anti-immigrant. This is a lie no matter how many times you repeat this lie. Most of these Republicans ARE NOT ANTI-IMMIGRANT.

They oppose illegal immigration. That makes you a BIG LIAR. In fact, you repeat this false claim with the help of your source John Gay before repeating it yourself several more times in the article.

When quoting La Raza, would you mind putting a translation of their name next to their quote? It might interest your readers to know that it means "The Race" Are you aware of any other leaders like Michele Waslin that speak for groups that claim to represent a whole race?

Finally, you quote that bogus poll claiming "around three quarters favored allowing illegal immigrants to become legal if they leaned English, had a job and paid taxes."

Take a closer look. Guest Worker has 72% opposition here in North Carolina. When NC likely voters were asked if illegal aliens currently in the US should be allowed to stay and gain legal status or be deported 72% said DEPORTED according to a JWP Civitas Poll.

The Civitas poll reading is consistent with all of the other voter attitude polls on these issues. The poll you cited does not conform to the vast majority of other polls on this issue.

So Mr. Elsner, I suggest you remove the title of "Journalist" from your bio if you plan to falsely malign those that stand up for the American public as "anti-immigrant", allow people to speak for an entire race and misrepresent the true views of said groups, and exclude the prevailing views of a super majority of Americans while closing with an outlier poll that serves as propaganda for the Guest Worker legislation you clearly support with your writings. Articles such as this should have a "Paid For By" disclaimer at the bottom to match other campaign or issue materials in print.

I enjoy fiction as much as anyone else Mr. Elsner, just not when it comes to matters vital to the security of my nation, the rule of law, or political opinion pieces masquerading as news and journalism.

William Gheen
President, Americans for Legal Immigration PAC ALIPAC
Post Office Box 30966, Raleigh, NC 27622-0966
Tel: (919) 787-6009 Toll Free: (866) 329-3999

email 3/15/2006

Quote:
"The House bill electrified the Hispanic community. Tens of thousands have showed up for rallied against it. This could really turn out the Latino vote in the November mid-term elections," said Michele Waslin of the National Council of La Raza, the country's largest Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization.
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This really makes me mad. There arent enough hispanics to make any difference toward the votes.
However, if lawmakers dont come up with a solid plan to insure people who vote are legal citizens, then we better watch out. When will groups like LaRaza realize they cant keep making up laws for us? GRRR!

Way to go William! I love it!

William!! All I can say is 'wow'....way to go...

RR

ANOTHER good friend.

Great, William ! Thank you so much for writing that.