Thread: RNC chair calls for support on illegal immigrant legislation

Back to web version Friday, May 18, 2007
Posted on Fri, May. 18, 2007
RNC chair calls for support on illegal immigrant legislation
By JIM DAVENPORT
Associated Press Writer
Republican National Committee Chairman Mel Martinez on Friday urged GOP leaders from around the nation to back immigration legislation that some critics contend is too soft on illegal aliens.

"If we don't pass this bill, nobody that is in the shadows today will come out of the shadows and be accounted for," Martinez, a U.S. senator from Florida, told about 60 state party leaders wrapping up a three-day RNC meeting here.

The bill, a compromise reached by liberals and conservatives, would offer citizenship to some 12 million immigrants now in the United States illegally. It also would mandate tougher border security and workplace enforcement and provide for a guest worker program.

Critics complained that it would reward illegal immigrants with a way of gaining legal status and staying in the U.S. permanently without being punished.

The bill would allow illegal immigrants to come forward right away, but they could not get visas or begin a path to citizenship until the border security improvements and a high-tech worker identification program were put in place.

It "is important for people to understand it before they dismiss it, you know, because it is in many ways a very conservative approach to immigration," Martinez said in an interview with The Associated Press.

Under the proposal, illegal immigrants could obtain a renewable "Z visa" that would allow them stay in the country indefinitely. After paying fees and fines totaling $5,000, they could ultimately get on track for permanent residency, which could take between eight and 13 years. Heads of households would have to return to their home countries first.

If there is one element of the package likely to be bargained on, it's the $5,000 fine and some will "try to nickel and dime it down some," said Martinez, the Senate's only Hispanic Republican.

Jim Herrin, chairman of Mississippi's state GOP, said the border security issues are key.

"My sense is if there's a real effort being made to establish border security for homeland security purposes among others, than everything else will be much easier to deal with," he said.
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"If we don't pass this bill, nobody that is in the shadows today will come out of the shadows and be accounted for," Martinez, a U.S. senator from Florida, told about 60 state party leaders wrapping up a three-day RNC meeting here.

I am so sick of this BS excuse!

if they don't come out send ICE in there to GET them and DRAG their butts out of the country!

Heck you can't get ICE to answer the phones...how would it suddenly change

Martinez...take a leap. You have the most rude office staff I've encountered in hundreds and hundreds of phone calls. If your office is NOT interested in hearing from American citizens, then you might just as well save it.

Under your and Jorge Bush's leadership, and the Comprehensive Destroy the Republican Party Act, the Republican ship is going down!

Originally Posted by redbadger

Heck you can't get ICE to answer the phones...how would it suddenly change

ICE would do its job if it had the resources, support and approval of its leaders (I'm speaking to YOU Mrs. Chertoff!!!)

GO BACK TO CUBA, MARTINEZ!

You're NO AMERICAN.........you've made that perfectly CLEAR!!!

These people are not in the shadows. They were on national tv protesting in the streets of America. I wouldn't call that living in the shadows!

The only thing thats going to secure our borders is armed military, Oh ya I forgot we need them to secure Iraq's borders

GO BACK TO CUBA MARTINEZ!! AMERICANS DON'T WANT OR NEED YOU!!