McCain blasts 'amnesty' for illegal immigrants
03/06/2007 05:10 PM

WASHINGTON -- Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., today opposed the concept of "amnesty" for illegal immigrants, saying that such a policy would only attract more unlawful entrants.

"Our first and foremost obligation is to secure our borders," McCain said. "We are in a war on terror. We have people who may want to cross our borders and do bad things, so the first priority is to secure our borders."
Speaking at a gathering of the National Association of Counties, McCain again called for "comprehensive" immigration reform:

"But there . . . cannot be amnesty. We cannot give that. Because that encourages others to come here illegally as well."

McCain referred to the 1986 Simpson-Mazzoli immigration bill, which he voted against as a member of the House of Representatives. He acknowledged the political implications of another amnesty program.

"In the 1980s, we passed a law, as you well know, that we were going secure our borders and give amnesty," McCain said. "We gave amnesty and we didn't secure our borders. And our people, and including my Republican base, are very angry and upset and frustrated."
However, McCain didn't define "amnesty," which generally means a pardon for a crime. Many critics derided his previous attempt at immigration reform as "amnesty" because it provided a pathway to citizenship for undocumented workers who are already in the country. McCain steadfastly denied that it would have provided amnesty because it included provisions such as fines and requirement to undergo criminal background checks and learn English. But anti-illegal-immigration conservatives on the blogosphere still dubbed him "McAmnesty."

He rhetorically asked what the United States will do with the 12 million illegal immigrants already here. "We can work that out," McCain said, so long as it doesn't include "amnesty." McCain's vision of comprehensive reform includes "a temporary worker program that works," complete with a tamper-proof biometric visa to guarantee legal status.

"Anyone else who has any other document cannot be hired, and if an employer hires one, he should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," McCain said to applause. "That's the only way we're going to dry up this magnet."
McCain also had harsh words for Congress' performance on immigration issues.

At one point, the audience missed its cue to clap:

"You send us here to Washington. We vote ourselves pay raises. We have all kinds of time off. You have a right to expect us to act on immigration reform. (Slight pause.) Applause."

After the subsequent applause and laughter died down, McCain quipped: "I don't want to have to remind you again."

Maricopa County Supervisor Don Stapley, a Republican who is supporting McCain's presidential bid, introduced McCain at the meeting at the Hilton Washington.

Stapley, who serves as the National Association of Counties' first vice president, tells McCain Central that illegal immigration is a top concern for counties:

"It directly affects the jails and the criminal-justice system and health-care. It's huge."