Thread: Bush changes focus on illegals

http://washtimes.com/national/20051129-121841-2631r.htm

Bush changes focus on illegals
By Bill Sammon
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
November 29, 2005


President Bush gestures during remarks about border security and immigration reform at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base yesterday. (AP)


President Bush yesterday tried to shift the focus of immigration reform away from his unpopular plan for a guest-worker program and toward a crackdown on illegal border crossers.
"We're going to secure the border by catching those who enter illegally and hardening the border to prevent illegal crossings," Mr. Bush said after meeting with border and customs agents in Tucson, Ariz.
"We're going to strengthen enforcement of our immigration laws within our country," he added. "And, together with Congress, we're going to create a temporary-worker program."
The program would allow illegal aliens to remain in the United States for up to six years, which is anathema to conservatives.
"The president's plan is nothing more than a massive illegal alien amnesty on a six-year time delay," said Dan Stein, president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform. "His temporary-worker program, which will be anything but temporary, is the death knell for America's middle class."
The president acknowledged the unpopularity of his plan, but insisted it is necessary.
"Listen, there's a lot of opinions on this proposal -- I understand that," he said. "But people in this debate must recognize that we will not be able to effectively enforce our immigration laws until we create a temporary-worker program."
Mr. Bush wants Congress to pass a comprehensive immigration reform package next year that includes both a guest-worker program and an increase in border security. Senate Republicans generally agree, although House Republicans are working on legislation limited to border security.
Yesterday, for the first time, Mr. Bush praised the House approach as a good first step toward comprehensive reform.
"The House plans to vote on this legislation soon," he said. "I urge them to pass a good bill."
But he added that he hoped the Senate-backed guest-worker program will be incorporated into the final legislation.
"I'm optimistic that Congress will rise to the occasion," the president said. "By passing comprehensive immigration reform, we'll add to this country's security, to our prosperity and to justice."
Democrats found themselves in the unusual position of agreeing with the Republican president, although they took the opportunity to slam House conservatives.
"You have advocated a comprehensive approach to immigration reform, a view at odds with many members of your party in Congress," wrote Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, Nevada Democrat, in a letter to Mr. Bush. "As Congress finally begins to address this problem, I hope that you will stand up to the right-wing of your party and stand up for what is right."
Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, Massachusetts Democrat, said the president "must demonstrate leadership by saying no to his right-wing allies who want to close our borders and yes to the business community, labor unions and Hispanic Americans who want realistic and comprehensive immigration reform."
White House press secretary Scott McClellan acknowledged that the Bush administration spent the first term "emphasizing" a guest-worker program over tougher border security. But that emphasis is shifting, in part to placate conservatives who have long railed against illegal immigration.
Mr. Bush insisted that the two initiatives are not mutually exclusive.
"America has always been a compassionate nation that values the newcomer and takes great pride in our immigrant heritage," he said. "Yet we're also a nation built on the rule of law.
"The American people should not have to choose between a welcoming society and a lawful society," he added. "We can have both at the same time."
He was careful to have much tough rhetoric in his speech, promising "to promptly return every illegal entrant we catch at the border with no exceptions."
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean said that promise is "not just a surrender to the far right, it's an irresponsible policy that does little to make America safer."

Hard headed, isn't he? He cares not a whit about this country or its citizens...only his long range goal to destroy America, obvioulsy with the help of our senate.

RR

I'm confused. It looks like the same plan he had all along.

As a former governor, I know that enforcing the law and the border is especially important to the communities along the border.

Who does he think he is fooling? So far he hasn't done zip.

Illegal immigration puts pressure on our schools and hospitals -- I understand that. I understand it strains the resources needed for law enforcement and emergency services. And the vicious human strugglers -- smugglers and gangs that bring illegal immigrants across the border also bring crime to our neighborhoods and danger to the highways.

So give that man a cigar.

And our responsibility is clear: We are going to protect the border. (Applause.)

APPLAUSE?? What were they smoking?

Our border agents have used that funding to apprehend and send home more than 4.5 million people coming into our country illegally,

And figure a minimum three times that number made it though.

more than 350,000 with criminal records.

Telling me over 1,000,000 criminals made it across!

Good job Mr. President.

bring workers from out of the shadows, and reject amnesty. (Applause.)

What's with the applause?

He's lying!

We face a different set of challenges with non-Mexicans that we -- who we catch crossing the border illegally. When non-Mexican illegal immigrants are apprehended, they are initially detained. The problem is that our detention facilities don't have enough beds.

Meanwhile the President was taking fiddling lessons from Nero.

Since I took office, we've increased funding for immigration enforcement by 44 percent.

So what do we have to show for this largess?

this year, federal agents completed what they called Operation Rollback. It's the largest work site enforcement case in American history. This operation resulted in the arrest of hundreds of illegal immigrants, criminal convictions against a dozen employers,

A dozen?

12?

I'm impressed, aren’t you?

and a multi-million dollar payment from one of America's largest corporations.

Well gee; thank the good Lord for small, very small favors.

As we enforce our immigration laws, comprehensive immigration reform also requires us to improve those laws by creating a new temporary worker program. This program would create a legal way to match willing foreign workers with willing American employers to fill jobs that Americans will not do.

Construction, factory production, my job, your job.

Oh, but I exaggerate, it all ain't that bad. No doubt to keep your job all you need to do is accept third world wages.

A dozen?

12?

I'm impressed, aren’t you?

You bet.

Next time the RNC wants a donation, you better pay up or face the consequences.

The program would allow illegal aliens to remain in the United States for up to six years

This is what I don't like. How do they decide the starting point? If this goes into effect, on day one what is to keep more people from entering illegally going to the local immigration office and telling them they have been here for let's say six months and now they want to come clean and enroll in the program?

Are we going to fingerprint? Take DNA samples? Otherwise, what is to keep them from leaving after the 6 years and then showing up again with another name?

This program needs to go to the bottom of the list. Build the Big Fence first!

Originally Posted by JohnB2012

The program would allow illegal aliens to remain in the United States for up to six years

This is what I don't like. How do they decide the starting point? If this goes into effect, on day one what is to keep more people from entering illegally going to the local immigration office and telling them they have been here for let's say six months and now they want to come clean and enroll in the program?

Are we going to fingerprint? Take DNA samples? Otherwise, what is to keep them from leaving after the 6 years and then showing up again with another name?

This program needs to go to the bottom of the list. Build the Big Fence first!

You make good points John. Some lady on Fox News this morning was whining about her illegal husband and her child. "Who is going to care for my child" she wants to know. "He is here illegally". Let the bawling begin!
I dont understand Bush's logic. He expects people to apply for work, come here for so many years, and then return. Hahaha!
Illegals are plopping down babies, and buying homes with fake id's. Does anyone really think they are planning on going anywhere?
Bush can take his guest-worker plan and shove it.

Bush’s Lies on the Border!

1. "We're going to secure the border by catching those who enter illegally and hardening the border to prevent illegal crossings,"

How? Are you reaching for straws because your poll numbers are going and going down? He just doesn’t get it!

2. "We're going to strengthen enforcement of our immigration laws within our country," he added. "And, together with Congress, we're going to create a temporary-worker program."

How are you going to enforce something you have turn you back on and have reduced the budget and when congress asked for 10,000 more BP you gave them 200! Congress isn’t going to work with you on your temporary worker program because their district are Po’d at your lack to do anything at all but reward those that have come here breaking our laws. Mr. President can’t get it though his head, WE DON’T WANT AMNESTY! The president's plan is nothing more than a massive illegal alien amnesty on a six-year time delay. It will be the final nail in the coffin w/ his temporary-worker program, which will be anything but temporary, is death for America's middle class.

3. "But people in this debate must recognize that we will not be able to effectively enforce our immigration laws until we create a temporary-worker program."

Well Mr. President we can and need to be realistic in enforcement and you are the one that is unrealistic in believing that we cant affectivity control our border is because he is unwilling to do anything but reward the Illegals and Corp America. If we do nothing like he has when do we put a stop to it and how much longer can our schools, civil services, Hospitals and other agencies can hang on till we are willing to do something. Also by that time I am it will be to late to do anything.

4. "America has always been a compassionate nation that values the newcomer and takes great pride in our immigrant heritage," he said. "Yet we're also a nation built on the rule of law.�

Perhaps then he should enforce the law! The American people shouldn’t be asked to burden a population that came here breaking our laws and welcoming them with open arms into our society. We might be a nation of immigrates, but how much can we endure to the point it will drive down the poverty rate further and have a population that will demand equal rights when they don’t have any? We built this country on immigration and people came here in legal ways and when they did they were turned away or refused to enter. We can’t handle allowing thousands of other nations to keep allowing their people to come into our nation illegally.

Pro