Thread: A Questionable Excuse on Immigration

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Washington Matters
A Questionable Excuse on Immigration

At what point will Americans agree that the U.S. has done all it reasonably can to stop illegal immigration?

By Mark Willen, Senior Political Editor, The Kiplinger Letter
June 23, 2010Text Size T T
Comments (44)
Get ready for a big news week on immigration. Unfortunately, a lot of it will be political posturing from both sides, with the serious debate over the important issues hard to find.

For starters, the Obama administration will file suit against Arizona’s new law, which allows local cops to request citizenship papers or green cards from suspects. The law has sparked heated debates in neighboring states over whether they should adopt similar laws, an issue sure to figure in the November elections. It has also prompted a national debate. Polls show a majority of Americans back the law even though a majority also think it will lead to racial discrimination. They’ve apparently decided it’s worth the price.

At the same time, Obama has formally asked Congress for $600 million for additional border security, and he’s promised to send 1,200 National Guard troops to help. Administration officials will travel to Arizona on June 28 to detail their plans to GOP Gov. Jan Brewer.

Not much progress, though, on the broader question of a comprehensive immigration bill -- one that would combine tough border measures with both a guest worker program to alleviate labor shortages and a path to legal status (after paying fines and back taxes and waiting in line) for the 11 million or so illegal immigrants already in the country. Hispanic groups are demanding action on the whole package, and Democrats who need their votes this fall, including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, whose home state of Nevada has a healthy proportion of potential Latino voters are promising to try.

But action is unlikely because Republicans and conservative Democrats don’t want to go near the issue. Even past advocates of a comprehensive bill -- Sens. John McCain (R-AZ) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) -- are shying away from bills very similar to the one they supported and President George W. Bush pushed a few years back.

The GOP cry is that securing the border must come first. “Once we get the border secured, then we can support a lot of other things,â€

NEVER BARGAIN unless these are guaranteed...

End Birthright Citizenship (kill the magnet that draws them here, anchor babies)

Lower cap on number of legal immigrants (maybe 50k to 100kvisa lottery)

Border security a constant. Not cutbacks in a year or two after.

Tough sanctions against employers who hire Illegals

I might consider a few temp green cards to parents of illegals with outstanding credentials, for all of the above...

But the posturing goes on, with no sign of a compromise. Eventually, conditions may change enough to allow progress. A more robust economy will prompt businesses to demand a solution to labor shortages, and the ever-growing political clout of Hispanic voters will force politicians to take notice. But that’s still a long way off.

Two flat out LIES stated in this last paragraph:

Labor shortage? With millions upon millions out of work and this dope says there is a "labor shortage". Spare me.

Politicians ignoring hispanic voters? It seems to me thats all they pander to! All other ethnicities have fallen by the wayside! Again, SPARE ME!

the ever-growing political clout of Hispanic voters will force politicians to take notice.

I thought our politicians have done a great deal in "taking notice," so much so, that I was under the impression the only ones voting in our last national election were in fact hispanics.

Obama meets almost everyday in closed door sessions with some hispanic group, while john mccain actually campaigned in mexico!

Is that not taking notice?

[quoteThe truth is that many who oppose immigration reform will never be satisfied until the border is sealed tight -- which is obviously impossible. It’s a goal the U.S. can never reach, and they know it.][/quote]

If or country can spend millions of dollars to build fences in foreign countries to keep invaders out, then we can build one here. Our borders can also be more secure by adding our military to keep intruders out.