Thread: Bush pushes immigration reform at citizenship ceremony

http://www.azcentral.com/business/artic ... 24-ON.html

Bush pushes immigration reform at citizenship ceremony for 3 injured soldiers

Associated Press
Jul. 24, 2006 08:20 AM


WASHINGTON - President Bush presided over a citizenship ceremony on Monday for three soldiers injured in Iraq, calling them "men who knew the cost of freedom and were willing to pay that cost so others could live free."

Bush also used his visit to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center to promote his stalled proposal for overhauling the nation's immigration laws. He urged Congress to break the current stalemate and pass legislation that "must be comprehensive."

The three injured soldiers who took the oath and became citizens were Spc. Noe Santos-Dilone of Brooklyn, N.Y.; Spc. Sergio Lopez of Bowlingbrook, Ill.; and Pfc. Eduardo Leal-Cardenas of Los Angeles.

Santos, who stood on crutches while the other two were standing on their own at the ceremony, was injured last Sept. 6 when the convoy in which he was riding was bombed. Lopez was injured when his Humvee was hit by a roadside bomb south of Baghdad last Jan. 6. Leal-Cardenas was injured by a roadside bomb last Dec. 6 while returning to his base from a mission just south of Baghdad.

Bush called it, "a joyful day for these men, a joyful day for me to be here with them...It's a privilege to be their commander in chief."

"This isn't going to be the first time these men have made such a promise. They took a similar oath when they became soldiers of the United States Army. And their presence here bears witness that they kept their word so that others might be free," Bush said.

"As our nation debates the future of our immigration policies, we must remember the contribution of these good men and all who dream of contributing to this country's future," Bush said.

After the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, Bush signed an executive order making foreign-born members of the U.S. military immediately eligible for U.S. citizenship when they serve on active duty.

"It made sense to me: If somebody's willing to risk their lives for our country, they ought to be full participants in our country," Bush said. He noted that more than 33,000 non-U.S. citizens currently serve in the military.

Trying to break the deadlock on immigration legislation, Bush said securing the nation's borders must be the first goal. After that, he said, it must offer a temporary worker program, tougher penalties for employers who hire undocumented workers, resolve the status of the million of illegal workers now in the country while honoring "the great American tradition of the melting pot."

The Senate earlier in the year passed a bipartisan immigration bill offering a chance at citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants and generally delivering on the goals outlined by Bush.

But the House, which in 2005 passed a far-more-restrictive bill that would make it a felony to enter the United States illegally, is holding a series of time-consuming hearings on the subject, hearings that have been criticized as a political maneuver to delay the legislation and help Republican candidates in an election year.

Bush is actively seeking to get his reform speech in the media at every opportunity. The three soldiers he legalized probably hadn't even served their mandatory year of service yet. I wouldn't be surprised to find out the administration already had a call into Walter Reed Army Medical Center requesting notification when a couple permanent resident soldiers came in injured. Nothing Bush does to push his agenda surprises me at this stage of the game.

This is even worse than Bush waving babies around when he gave a speech on his intention to veto embyronic stem cell research. This guy is a pandering, self righteous jacka--.

Bush also used his visit to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center to promote his stalled proposal for overhauling the nation's immigration laws. He urged Congress to break the current stalemate and pass legislation that "must be comprehensive."

It's disgraceful that Bush would use wounded soldiers to make a political point.

Trying to break the deadlock on immigration legislation, Bush said securing the nation's borders must be the first goal. After that, he said, it must offer a temporary worker program, tougher penalties for employers who hire undocumented workers, resolve the status of the million of illegal workers now in the country while honoring "the great American tradition of the melting pot."

This is a major shift in his previous policy. You notice he is now saying secure the border first, then work on the other issues. He has definitely shifted his view in the direction of the "Pence" plan.

http://www.nytimes.com

July 24, 2006
Bush Tries to Gain Momentum on Immigration
By DAVID STOUT
WASHINGTON, July 24 — President Bush tried again today to generate momentum for immigration legislation, declaring at a naturalization ceremony that the United States could be “a lawful society and a welcoming society at the same time.”

“Congress is now considering legislation on immigration reform,” Mr. Bush said. “That legislation must be comprehensive. All elements of the problem must be addressed together, or none of them will be solved at all.”

The president spoke at a citizenship ceremony at Walter Reed Army Medical Center for three soldiers who were wounded in Iraq. “The three men we honor today have brought honor to America,” Mr. Bush said. “Like those who have come before, each of these men chose to protect our country because they love what America stands for.”

In calling on Congress to act, Mr. Bush was trying to bridge a wide gap between the Senate and House. Each chamber has passed an immigration bill, but the two versions are vastly different in intent and content. The Senate version would offer eventual citizenship for many illegal aliens, while the House version is far tougher and focuses on border security.

With Congressional elections approaching, there has been speculation that an immigration bill may not emerge from the full Congress this year. But Mr. Bush signaled today that he is not ready to give up.

The president, who much prefers the Senate version, said today that border security must be a paramount concern. But he added: “We must resolve the status of millions of illegal immigrants who are here already. We shouldn’t be granting people automatic citizenship, nor is it possible to kick people out of the country.”

Mr. Bush reiterated his support for a temporary-worker program for foreigners willing to do jobs that Americans will not do. He has said repeatedly that citizenship must not be automatic for illegal aliens, but that it should be attainable for those willing to pay penalties and wait their turn in line.

The soldiers who became citizens today are Specialist Lito Santos-Dilone of Brooklyn; Specialist Sergio Lopez of Bowlingbrook, Ill., and Private First Class Eduardo Leal-Cardenas of Los Angeles. All three were legal immigrants who benefited from an executive order signed by Mr. Bush after the Sept. 11 attacks, making noncitizens who serve on active duty in the United States military eligible for expedited naturalization proceedings.

“We are stronger and more dynamic when we welcome new citizens like these,” the president said today.

At least he's been trained to not do this again.

"As you can possibly see, I have an injury myself -- not here at the hospital, but in combat with a cedar. I eventually won. The cedar gave me a little scratch. As a matter of fact, the Colonel asked if I needed first aid when she first saw me. I was able to avoid any major surgical operations here, but thanks for your compassion, Colonel." --George W. Bush, after visiting with wounded veterans from the Amputee Care Center of Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas, Jan. 1, 2006

On the other hand, I see he's back to using all his favorite phrases again.

I get the feeling that he cannot even make his own decisions. It appears to me that he is just being "pushed" like a puppet by forces from behind.

Does anyone else think this ?

I get the feeling that he cannot even make his own decisions. It appears to me that he is just being "pushed" like a puppet by forces from behind.

I think it's just plain stubborness, which can be a good trait at times, but in this case, he seems willing to walk off a cliff, rather than listen to his constituents. Maybe because his brother is married to a mexican, it has become very personal for him. Who knows, maybe his sister-in-law is an illegal.