LINK to original article

Thursday, March 24, 2005
Gingrich urges immigration reform
Two-pronged plan would speed deportation, smooth path to green cards
By AMANDA BECK
The Orange County Register

Former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Newt Gingrich addressed a crowd of more than 750 people at the Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace today and called for a two-pronged approach for addressing illegal immigration.

First, he suggested streamlining the legal system so that illegal residents could be deported within 72 hours. Second, he suggested making it easier for immigrants to obtain green cards.

"Whether you're for or against immigration, in an age of weapons of mass destruction, in an age of terrorism, the United States has an absolute obligation to know who is coming into the country," Gingrich said. "(With these reforms) now you have made it attractive for immigrants to obey the law."

Gingrich also addressed the need for reform in the courts and in education before signing copies of his latest book.