Thread: Traitor turncoat Hastert appears to open door to guest-worke

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nati ... &cset=true

Hastert appears to open door to guest-worker program

By Frank James
Washington Bureau
Published March 30, 2006

WASHINGTON -- House Speaker Dennis Hastert indicated Wednesday that he was willing to consider a guest-worker program as part of the immigration-reform package now moving through Congress.

Meanwhile, the Senate began debate on the issue, with the split on full display between those who support a new path to legalization for undocumented immigrants and those opposed.

In comments to reporters, Hastert (R-Ill.) did not embrace the idea of a guest-worker program such as that in legislation approved this week by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

But he strove to leave the impression that he is approaching the idea of a guest-worker program with an open mind.

"We're looking at all alternatives and we're not going to discount anything right now," Hastert said. "Our first priority is to protect the border. And we also know that there is a need in some sectors of the economy for a guest-worker program.

"But we want to see what the Senate comes forward with and what goes through the conference process," he said, referring to how the House and Senate reconcile bills approved by both chambers.

The Judiciary Committee on Monday approved legislation that would allow illegal immigrants who were in the United States before January 2004 to apply for legal status and ultimately citizenship provided they pay a fine, prove they've paid taxes, learn English and pass a criminal background check.

But the bill is at odds with a House bill passed in December that focused on enforcement. If the House bill becomes law, undocumented immigrants in the U.S. would be guilty of a felony by their presence in this country. The bill also calls for construction of a 700-mile fence on the U.S.-Mexico border.

Another bill in the Senate, introduced by Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.), also focuses on enforcement rather than legalization of immigrants already in the United States.

President Bush has pushed for a guest-worker program. Opponents of that idea say it is tantamount to giving amnesty to illegal immigrants.

One of the senators kicking off the debate was Sen. Pete Domenici (R-N.M.). A conservative who favors a route to legalization for undocumented immigrants, he told an emotional story of his mother, an illegal Italian immigrant, who was arrested during World War II when he was a child.

"I understand [hard-working undocumented families] are just like every other family," he said.

But Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), countered: "The truth is, this bill is an amnesty."

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fjames@tribune.com

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Contact Hastert. Tell him: No Way, Jose!

http://www.house.gov/hastert/contact.shtml

"We're looking at all alternatives and we're not going to discount anything right now," Hastert said. "Our first priority is to protect the border.

There has to be a special place in hell for people who lie like this.

I called his office this morning and told the hateful aide that answered to tell Hastert there was NO Room for compromise.

RR