Bush to Seek Immigrant Benefit Protection

Washington Post ^ | January 4, 2004 | Mike Allen

[Ian McGreggor]

CRAWFORD, Tex., Jan. 3 -- President Bush will propose protections for the Social Security taxes paid by the workers who would come into the country under massive changes to immigration laws he plans to announce on Wednesday, Republican officials said Saturday.

Bush's plan would make it possible for such workers from Mexico and perhaps other countries to collect retirement benefits without being penalized by their home countries for the years they spent working in the United States, the officials said.

Officials began releasing details of Bush's plan shortly before Christmas and provided new details over the weekend. The officials said Bush's plan will contain a new system to help workers who want to enter from Mexico or other countries if they have jobs waiting for them. It also includes a mechanism for some undocumented residents to continue working in the United States and get on a path to legal status.

[Libertina]

It is time for elected Rs to start standing up for conservative principles. If this propels them into action, so much the better. About time they got a backbone.

[Pro-Bush]

Bump! Run for office.

[dagnabbit]

So sad that we will again have to hope that Tancredo in the House or Byrd (!) in the Senate can again manage to pull Bush's knife out of our back.

I don't know if this dim bulb in the White House really wants to abolish the USA in favor of a merged state with Mexico, or if he just doesn't care or understand what happens after he panders his way to a second term.

Suport Bush-Amnesty 2007 ! For Illegals Arriving After Bush-Amnesty 2004 The Next Next Amnesty - It's never too early to care.

[FITZ]

In return, Mexico must open up to American investment by allowing the sale of real estate to us and guaranteeing property our rights.

See now --- your whole proposal just fell flat --- you asked one thing from Mexico --- you know the Mexican government will not agree to any changes. Those corrupt laws of theirs suit the few in charge just fine ---- they're getting filthy rich -- they like it just how it is --- they don't intend to give anything. Say "oil for illegals" and they start frothing at the mouth.

[lainde]

This is a trial balloon that needs to be squashed!

[WilliamofCarmichael]

Those who are against this are automatically for Dem rats?

My Congressman, Wally Herger, is NOT for Dem rats. Besides, Dem rats want to include all ILLEGALS not just Mexicans.

The president proposes, the Congress disposes.

One way or the other Congressman Herger will hear my opinions on this and so will White House personnel monitoring public opinion.

[ETERNAL WARMING]

So he took a job most likely few illegals would take for $12 an hour!!!

That's not much considering the cost of living in Chicago. ANY job pays $10 there. Gad.

The same is happening here too...the wages are plunging and citizens can't compete. They simply can't live on what they're paying. Meanwhile, the housing authority ignores residency requirements when Mexicans are involved. They can get away with 20 to a 2 bedroom house. You and I would be out on the street if we tried it.

[FITZ]

Guess you think these companies would have prefered to close their doors and go out of business rather than hire Americans?

Of course they did --- an American would have to be paid $5.15 an hour, given certain overtime benefits. Working Americans tend to like private insurance, illegals don't expect or try for that. Walmart is a good example --- those jobs weren't paying overtime, they weren't paying minimum wage --- it's doubtful they ever advertised for Americans because they wouldn't want to be discovered and reported breaking the wage and other employment law.

They don't really go down to Mexico to recruit because they offered the going rate for a job and intended to obey all the labor laws.

[Sabertooth]

See now --- your whole proposal just fell flat --- you asked one thing from Mexico --- you know the Mexican government will not agree to any changes.

Doesn't matter. Any combination of my proposals will result in fewer Illegals.

Once they start going back, Mexico will have a choice: play ball or take the Chinese-level tariffs.

[Jorge]

Jorge we've had this argument before and I won't waste my time.

Ok. One argument per poster.

But 'know' that you are buying into the media sell WE do not want those jobs, it is a DU myth!!!

Except that many employers say they cannot get Americans to fill these jobs. But I guess they are all lying, right?

[Cultural Jihad]

Assuming he is able to lose his foreign-hosted and unAmerican feline image, here's a burning issue he can use in his campaign for INS Director:

The King of England Kissing the Pope's Toe

[MJY1288]

"Jeepers, the idea that the solution to the border is exclusively at the border is laughable,"

I never said it was, I usually avoid these threads because of the irrational posters who resort to name calling and bashing Mexicans, so I haven't followed your posts on this matter. But if my conversations with you on other matters are an example of your contributions to this issue, I'm quite sure you and I think much alike on the problem of illegal immigration.

My problem with these threads is that they are based on speculation from primarily liberal journalists at first, then afterwords by some concerned conservative journalists reacting to what the Liberals speculate will be in a proposal that quotes no one in the Bush Administration. Sure we can send faxes to the White House and Send emails to our elected Representatives, voicing our concerns, but to condemn this administration or anyone else based on the vague claims made by liberals at the NYT's or some other liberal rag, is playing right into their hands

[ETERNAL WARMING]

Yes Jorge, they're lying. It's a catch phrase for 'I'll hire the illegal and pocket the difference.' The problem with that little scenario is that we taxpayers are stuck subsidizing the livlihoods of these people. Why should we have to pay for his cheap labor?

[FITZ]

The one thing that would get the leaders over there moving on reforms would be to know that the safety valve of immigration was getting a little shut. They know full well things are coming to a boiling point --- the minute that door starts closing --- they'll get to work fast or else they'll know it's too late and they'll head on over to Spain and France.

[Leatherneck_MT]

I signed it.

We need the current laws vigorously enforced and tightened up on. We don't need to make it easier for them to get in. It needs to be a damn sight harder.

[WilliamofCarmichael]

RE: They be people dyin' to give you that right [to vote].

I believe there are other aspects to our Republic that they are fighting for. Borders, language, and culture come to mind.

Those no longer matter to mainstream Republicans?

[dagnabbit]

It was so sad back in the 60's and 70's before mass migration really got cranked up. There were no restaurants, no taxis, no garbage collection, no construction getting done.

Thank goodness Ted Kennedy penned the 1965 chain migration act and the government stopped enforcing immigration law. Now we finally have those things.

Suport Bush-Amnesty 2007 ! For Illegals Arriving After Bush-Amnesty 2004 The Next Next Amnesty - It's never too early to care.

[FITZ]

Except that many employers say they cannot get Americans to fill these jobs. But I guess they are all lying, right?

Do you believe those Walmart janitorial jobs were ever opened to Americans at a wage that Americans can legally work for? I very much doubt they were ever adverstized in the paper or on any job board for Americans to inquire on them.

I know of several illegals working around here --- there is no evidence that a "help wanted" sign or ad was ever posted any where for the jobs they have.

[Jorge]

Walmart is a good example --- those jobs weren't paying overtime, they weren't paying minimum wage --- it's doubtful they ever advertised for Americans because they wouldn't want to be discovered and reported breaking the wage and other employment law.

You've gotta point. And if these companies don't advertise or offer these jobs to Americans, in order to avoid complying with fair wage and employment laws..then they should be prosecuted.

But I still can't blame the poor immigrants who are taken advantage of by these companies for "stealing" jobs from Americans. These people are living a hard life and are just trying to make it.
I can't understand the resentment by some posters here.

[Pro-Bush]

You suck! Being pro-illegal isn't cool in my book.