Thread: Nelson wants to stem illegal immigrants

Nelson wants to stem illegal immigrants
By DON WALTON / Lincoln Journal Star

Responding to what he identified as a major constituent concern, Sen. Ben Nelson said Tuesday he will propose a crackdown on illegal immigration.




Nelson will introduce legislation designed to help secure U.S. borders by increasing border patrol agents and improving surveillance.

His bill also would toughen penalties for employers who hire illegal immigrants and require automatic deportation of any illegal immigrant who commits a felony.

“We need to try to stop the flood of illegal immigration and give law enforcement officers the tools they need,� the Democratic senator said.



Nelson’s bill does not directly address how to handle millions of illegal immigrants already in the United States.

“We’ll deal with that later,� he told a telephone news conference from Washington. The first step, Nelson said, is to “stop digging the hole.�

When asked how his bill compares with immigration reform legislation previously sponsored by Sen. Chuck Hagel, his Republican colleague, Nelson said: “I don’t have any amnesty.�

Neither does Hagel’s plan, said Mike Buttry, the senator’s spokesman.

“Senator Nelson must be confused how Sen. Hagel’s bill worked,� Buttry said. “It was not amnesty. Senator Hagel agrees with President Bush on this issue.�

Hagel recently met with senior White House staff members to discuss immigration reform, Buttry said.

Hagel’s plan provided a pathway to legalized status for illegal immigrant workers and their families already in the United States. They would need to comply with a list of requirements and pay a $1,000 fine.

Nelson said not a day goes by when he is in Nebraska that a constituent does not voice concerns to him about illegal immigrants.

Most of the questions he fielded during a recent statewide radio call-in show focused on the issue, he said.

Nebraskans have expressed concern about related tax obligations, the effect on health care costs and quality education, the impact on the job market and the threat to national security, the senator said.

Nelson said his proposal would increase resources to expedite legal immigration.


http://www.journalstar.com/articles/200 ... 492373.txt

Sounds like another open borders clown who's up for reelection in 2006. Funny how all of a sudden he's concerned. I love how they all say their bill is not an amnesty. Name me one politican who will ever admit to giving amnesty to illegal aliens. They have all been coached not to say the A word. Ben Nelson wasn't all that concerned before, so he can get the boot too for all I care.

Hagel’s plan provided a pathway to legalized status for illegal immigrant workers and their families already in the United States. They would need to comply with a list of requirements and pay a $1,000 fine.

Okay Chuck, If it's not an amnesty, can we just call it an undocumented pardon?

IMO, Senator Nelson's announcement is good news in that it at least shows that politicians are starting to listen and are at least giving some lip service to the problem. And coming from a Democrat, abeit a moderate/conservative Democrat, makes it even better because if a Democrat can speak out of the issue, then maybe that will be a green light for some hesitant Republicans to get on board too.

I don't know what Nelson's voting record is like, but it would be hard to imagine that he could be anymore of an OBL than Hagel. When I lived in Nebraska and Nelson was governor we were able to worry about worthwhile things like nuclear waste compacts, the price of corn, ethanol production, and taxes. I long for the good old days when the emphasis was on how to best move forward as an united country rather than spending all of our energy dealing with colonizing 3rd world invaders and all the problems they create.

Any proposal that allows illegal immigrants to stay is AMNESTY!!!

Do not be fooled!!

If you apply to live and work the US legally once you have obtained contractual employment, and can have a employer or legal US citizen family member vouch for you,

YOU MUST THEN LEAVE THE COUNTRY, AND APPLY FOR ENTRY WITH YOUR VISAS OR DOCUMENTS FROM OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES!

If all is in order then Customs will allow you in, any doubts or questions, you go home until you get it straight. This is how "LEGAL IMMIGRATION" into this Country works. Anything less is AMNESTY!

One group obeys get nothing but hassles and bills, the other blows it off and gets to stay. They don't even have to get off the couch of their section 8 housing!

Boil, bubble, stew some trouble..... cheers glenn