BUSH PLAN A MAGNET:Immigrants cite lure of border proposal

San Diego Union Tribune ^ | January 23, 2004 | Joe Cantlupe

[My2Cents]

They'd come regardless.

[luvbach1]

We told him so!!!

[gubamyster]

ping

[AmericanInTokyo]

Maybe, maybe not. But the fact of the matter is, having read the Spanish language newspapers in Mexico around 8 and 9 January, you would have been a fool NOT to have taken it as a blanket amnesty and a blanket welcome mat.

This is disgraceful.

And this article should be sent to every US Congressmember either on the fence or planning to vote against the President's cockamamie plan.

[My2Cents]

"Bush made certain allusions, and some media outlets have characterized this as an amnesty, which plays on people's hopes, when in reality there's nothing there for them to grab onto," Ramirez said.

You hear that? In order for an immigrant who got here without going through proper channels to actually stay here, there are conditions. Simply being here doesn't guarantee they can stay.

[luvbach1]

They'd come regardless.

You didn't notice the Border Patrol officer said it represented an eightfold increase? And the program hasn't even been passed!!!

[gubamyster]

They'd come regardless.

Just so we have this clear, how much of an increase over prior years will it take before you come to the conclusion that Bush's amnesty plan is causing an increase in immigration?

[RoughDobermann]

Ugh. I'm shocked.

[My2Cents]

This isn't a blanket amnesty, no matter how many of the hardcore hardheads want to characterize it as such.

[Consort]

They don't need no stinkin' lure.

[My2Cents]

And this article should be sent to every US Congressmember either on the fence or planning to vote against the President's cockamamie plan.

Fine. That's your right and obligation to do so. In fact, that would be more constructive than bitching about the President's plan on FR umpteen times a day.

[My2Cents]

You didn't notice that the Border Patrol are actually intercepting these people?

[AmericanInTokyo]

How silly of you. Read the article again. Read the ACTUAL IMPACT. Tell me it is not amnesty, if not de jure, then certainly de facto.

[Right Wing Professor]

How completely and utterly predictable.

[gubamyster]

You hear that? In order for an immigrant who got here without going through proper channels to actually stay here, there are conditions.

We have conditions (laws) now & nobody is ensuring they are met (enforced).

Simply being here doesn't guarantee they can stay.

Who is going to tell them to leave & ensure they are sent home packing? The same people who are currently saying that "we can't round 'em up & deport 'em"?

[AmericanInTokyo]

You are most welcome to kindly read back to me in English the very....first....headline, from this daily Mexican newspaper, a day after Uncle Jorge's announced sellout of our national borders and integrity of the Republic...:

[kevao]

This isn't a blanket amnesty,

What YOU believe is irrelevant. It's what THEY believe that is drawing them here in greater numbers.

[My2Cents]

Let's see....Mexicans are flooding into the nation because Bush's plan is being characterized as "amnesty." You guys are calling it an "amnesty" plan. Seems to me you're only feeding the fever of those who are looking for a free pass to stay in this country. I'd love some Mexican trying to get across the border to tell the media, "I'm coming here for the amnesty...I read all about on FreeRepublic."

[RockyMtnMan]

Call it what you want but it is 'perceived' as an amnesty and perception IS reality no matter what you or Bush call it.