Thread: Immigration bill's critics accept poor 'status quo,' McCain

Immigration bill's critics accept poor 'status quo,' McCain chides
By GRANT SCHULTE
REGISTER STAFF WRITER


June 10, 2007
8 Comments



Newton, Ia. - Congress' failure to strengthen the nation's borders against illegal immigration has created a "big credibility gap" between the government and Americans who expect more than a decades-old status quo, U.S. Sen. John McCain said Saturday.

The Arizona Republican, a presidential hopeful who has campaigned heavily on immigration reform, continued his push this weekend, days after a measure he had supported collapsed in the U.S. Senate. The measure's opponents, he argued, had brought forth no ideas of their own on handling the 12 million people believed to be in the country illegally.

"Just because the Senate failed to act doesn't mean it's going to go away," McCain told a crowd of 90 at Des Moines Area Community College's extension campus in Newton. "If you don't do anything, it's de facto amnesty. It's silent amnesty."

The proposed immigration overhaul would have allowed people in the country illegally to become citizens, but only after they pay up to $5,000 in fines, show a clean criminal record, learn English, pass a bevy of residency exams and wait as long as 13 years.

The bill would have created probationary visas for people in the country illegally as of Jan. 1, 2007, allowing those residents to come forward without being deported. The measure failed to gain enough support in the Senate to end debate and force a vote.

"We can't afford to continue the status quo," McCain said Saturday. "The status quo is unacceptable; at least we should agree on that fundamental of this issue. And so if the status quo is unacceptable, then shouldn't we do something to try to resolve it?"

Immigration is a pivotal issue in Iowa as the state deals with its own influx of undocumented workers. In December, a federal raid at the Swift & Co. pork processing plant in Marshalltown and five other plants nationwide cost the company 1,282 employees, about 10 percent of its work force.

On Saturday, during an hourlong question-and-answer session, audience members pelted McCain with more than half a dozen immigration-related questions and comments.

Richard Martin, a Republican from Newton, said McCain had "a lot of good comments" regarding the issue, which Martin said was a major personal concern for him.

As the forum shifted away from immigration, one woman in the audience raised her hand and said: "Just one final comment."

McCain smiled and shook his head. "I'm afraid there are no 'final comments' on this issue," he said.

Reporter Grant Schulte can be reached at (515) 699-7020 or gschulte@dmreg.com



http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs. ... 056/NEWS09

Immigration bill's critics accept poor 'status quo,' McCain chides

NO, we don't Senator McCain!!! We want our immigration laws that are on the books enforced and you know it!!! LIAR!

Well, as my favorite POTUS said "There you go again".

Idiot.

We in no way accept the status quo. We are lobbying cities and states to enforce the immigration laws, we are filing lawsuits against sanctuary cities, we are filing complaints with the IRS against sanctuary churches, we are shutting down day labor sites, and we are campaigning for politicians who support enforcing the laws. That is why you will soon be a bad memory Mr. McCain.

That's right McCain.

We can't accept this status quo of not enforcing our laws!!!!!!!!

Dixie

Gawd the man never ceases to amaze me, how could anyone even be considering this man for President of the greatest Nation on earth.

I just wish people would set a higher standard for this position just makes you shake your head!!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WE NEED EVERYBODY CALLING, FAXING AND E-MAILING, AND POSTING SO WE KNOW WHAT YOUR HEARING. LET THEM KNOW U.S.CITIZENS HAVE COME OUT OF THE SHADOWS AND ARE SEEING THE LIGHT!!!!!!

Link to instrucions and posts
http://www.alipac.us/modules.php?name=F ... ic&t=67975

Link to Kates new Fax!!
http://www.alipac.us/modules.php?name=F ... ic&t=67814