Bush Immigrant Plan Likely to Fail (Y'all are getting hot and bothered over nothing!)

The Courier News [Elgin, IL] ^ | January 23, 2004 | Daniel Duggan

[quidnunc]

Hastert visits Elgin: U.S. House speaker talks on immigration, energy, politics issues

Elgin – Several weeks ago, President George W. Bush rolled out a program to grant temporary work permits to undocumented immigrants.

But before the program can proceed, it needs to pass Congress — which probably won't happen, U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert told The Courier News Editorial Board on Thursday.

"I don't think there's support to get that through Congress," the Yorkville Republican said. "But I think this is a chance to start a debate."

Hastert acknowledged that immigration problems are growing in the Fox Valley, and with large immigrant populations in Elgin and Aurora, many family members are moving to the area from their home countries. He stressed that there should be a program for people to come to the United States, work for a few years and be able to go home.

With agricultural and factory jobs across Illinois being filled by immigrant workers, Hastert stressed that they are "doing important work."

"And they shouldn't be forced to stay here and hide," he said.

But Hastert puts his foot down when asked if undocumented immigrants already in the country should be given amnesty, rather than proceed through the existing citizenship process.

"If you put amnesty in there, you short-circuit the system," he said. "You can't change the rules and amnesty changes the rules."

-snip-

[quidnunc]

Remember the hue and cry that went up when Bush announced that he would sigh the reauthorization of the assault weapons ban?

Well, he knew that a bill wouldn't even get to his desk because during the election of 2000 gun control was the political third rail for Democrats.

So Bush took an issue away from the Democrats.

The same thing is happening with the immigration proposal.

Bush took something along to give to Fox on that trip to Mexico and earned some brownie points with Mexican-American voters.

So don't get your undies in a bunch until there's a bill on the table, which probably will be… no time soon.

[DMCA]

Didn't we say the same thing about Campaign Fiance Reform?

[quidnunc]

FYI

[annyokie]

You're exactly right. Briliant strategery on Dubya's part.

[rdb3]

I feel pretty confident that this proposal is DOA in the House.

[M Kehoe]

Campaign Fiance Reform?

LOL! That's pretty good.

Welcome to FR.

5.56mm

[Beck_isright]

He's going to sign the AW ban.

CFR wasn't goint to past the USSC also.

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Fool me three times, take me out and shoot me.

[CFC__VRWC]

So don't get your undies in a bunch until there's a bill on the table, which probably will be… no time soon.

If the reception the proposal got at the SOTU address is an indicator, I have to agree. Never heard such a dead flounder hit the table at one of those before.

[Dog Gone]

The chances of an immigration bill/guest worker program passing congress before the election are no higher than zero.

Bush will get some credit from hispanics for raising the issue to national discussion. Whether that offsets the conservatives who will refuse to vote for him is not known.

Something needs to be done, and maybe the political wheels will finally begin to move.

[quidnunc]

DMCA wrote: Didn't we say the same thing about Campaign Fiance Reform?

A different situation.

Everybody was convinced that SCOTUS would declare most of it unconstitutional.

But nobody took into account that Sandra O'Connor might start to do some serious resume polishing so she could get some good-paying gigs on boards of directors when she retired.

[Pubbie]

*** I TOLD YOU SO ***

[Squantos]

I pray that your correct ........seems like a move to make politically.

Stay Safe !

[deport]

The Hagel-Daschle bill is S2010.

I think there are a few others dealing with immigration on the table.... Tancredo filed one in Nov. 03 and I think Cornyn in Jul of 03 ... possibly others.....

Now I agree I don't think any will get passed with amnesty in them, etc.

[BigSkyFreeper]

I gotta hand it to Bush, he really knows just where to jab the Democrats.

[Pubbie]

[mac_truck]

Didn't we say the same thing about Campaign Fiance Reform?

Good point!

[Reaganwuzthebest]

But Hastert puts his foot down when asked if undocumented immigrants already in the country should be given amnesty, rather than proceed through the existing citizenship process.

"If you put amnesty in there, you short-circuit the system," he said. "You can't change the rules and amnesty changes the rules."

That's the Dennis Hastert I'm used to hearing... I hope he sticks by that and doesn't give in to pressure.

[skeeter]

Bush took something along to give to Fox on that trip to Mexico and earned some brownie points with Mexican-American voters.

Thanks to Bush the whole subject of amnesty is now on the table.

It be much better politics if he'd announced he's gonna enforce current immigration law. Now amnesty for illegals is in the realm of possibility. Thanks alot.

[DMCA]

How is it different? The same exact thing could happen with this, the only difference is the names of the players have changed.

[philetus]

(Y'all are getting hot and bothered over nothing!)

Whether it will pass or not, some of us still feel we need to let him know we don't like the idea.