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Posted on 03/10/2006 10:20:01 AM PST by Reagan Man
President Bush has repeatedly said that he is not for providing “amnesty” to illegal aliens in the United States, but he has not always made clear exactly what he means by the word “amnesty.” White House spokesman Scott McClellan defined it this week, however, when I put the question to him at a White House press briefing.
Webster’s Dictionary defines “amnesty” as “the act of an authority (as a government) by which pardon is granted to a large group of individuals.” McClellan, however, said that the President believes “amnesty” would be anything that “put someone on an automatic path to citizenship.”
In other words, legislation that grants pardon “to a large group of individuals” for entering and/or staying in the United States in violation of our immigration laws while converting all, or most, of them to legal guest workers without even making them first go home would not be an “amnesty” in the President’s view.
This is in sharp contrast to the view of Rep. Tom Tancredo (R.-Colo.), chairman of the 90-member Congressional Immigration Reform Caucus, who gave Human Events a definition of amnesty that seems consistent with the dictionary definition. “If you let people stay here, who are presently here after having broken the law getting here, if you let them stay for six years or any other amount of time, that is amnesty, because you are not applying the penalty to the violation of the law that is on the books,” said Tancredo.
When McClellan was asked how an amnesty defined as the President defines it differs from the President’s own proposal that illegal aliens be converted into guest workers, McClellan explained that participants “in a temporary guest worker program get in line [for the process of achieving citizenship] like everyone else.” (He did not explain how being here already was not being ahead of others “in line” to become naturalized American citizens. )
McClellan went on to underscore that the President supported strengthening border security, that he supported greater funding for the Border Patrol, and that this would be paid for by an increase in the airport fees paid by travelers. “It [the airport fee increase] is in the President’s budget,” McClellan told us.
When Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff appeared before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, Sen. Judd Gregg (R.-N.H.) complained to him about being placed “in an extremely difficult place” by being asked to fund “an expansion of the Border Patrol … but being told that the funds to do that are going to be illusory.” Gregg argued that the funds are illusory because the increase in Homeland Security funding is tied to an increase in the airport fee, which Gregg said Sen. Ted Stevens (R.-Alaska) would not allow to go through last year and is unlikely to allow this year.
I also asked McClellan whether the reduction in funding that the President has requested next year for the AmeriCorps program—which uses federal funds to pay “volunteers” (and which the President has called for phasing out over five years)—could be used for funding the Border Patrol. “Well, we continue to act in a way to better secure our borders,” McClellan said. “We’ve greatly increased the number of Border Patrol agents. The President also believes we need to pursue comprehensive immigration reform and there’s a commitment in Congress to do so, and that’s where our focus is.”
Close the borders George....and kick out the illegals(and while your at it kick out all non-citizen Islamics)...make em come back in legally.
Ted Stevens and the rest of the Alaska Republican congressional delegation are a pork barrel embarrassment equal to Robert Byrd.
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
How about going to a flat tax, phase out the IRS and using those positions to fund a beefed-up Border Patrol?
IRS has, what, 100,000 employees? A small army.
Wait till the Gold Card b.s. starts hitting the ground.
This is an issue that is brewing, whether some want to admit it or not. (I just figure those that think it is not of concern to the American people never actually leave their house or go to their county or precint meetings, or a town-hall meeting where this issue is always in the top 3). Anyway, nothing may get done this year, but the time is coming where something will have to be done.
Amen. We're in agreement AGAIN! That's a first. ;^)
Why does Bush continue to ruin the Republican party and our country? He must want to compete with Jimmy Carter as one of the worst presidents of all time.
Bush, close the damn border, and stop being an accomplice to a criminal invasion. If you want their vote, go run for office in Mexico.
When when when when when when when when when when when when when when when when when when when when when is the man EVER going to learn?
I don't see how Bush&CompanyGOP can put this issue off anylonger. The wide open US borders and illegal immigration issue needs to be addressed, ASAP. Don't need any new enforcement laws either. Secure the borders and enforce the IRCA of 1986 NOW. The Feds need to prosecute, fine and punish employers who violate the law by hiring illegals. And they need to stop all the welfare handouts.
Bush's plan for his version of a massive amnesty must be stopped, period, end of story. America cannot afford his deviously crippling scheme. If Bush won't cease and desist in his grand scheme to bankrupt the American middle class then perhaps it's time to start considering outsourcing him by impeaching him. There, I said it. I never thought I'd say it but I'm beyond being fed up with him and his American anti-worker attitude.
Dubya Bush`s years in office might go down in history as the Jekyll & Hyde Presidency. On most foreign policy issues, a majority of people on the political right of center, agree and support the Prez. On domestic policy issues, most Americans oppose his agenda.
"the President believes 'amnesty' would be anything that 'put someone on an automatic path to citizenship'.”
Mr. Presidente, you have put yourself on an automatic path to a failed legacy.
You are not kidding, at this rate he will be pegged as an idiot who had a fortune in "political capital" and lost it all. How many times can one fumble the ball, before they peg you as a "fumbler," and a bumbler...
He is a lucky cat though, he will come out of this one I think, but ONE more stupid trick, and It will be curtains for his presidency.
Bingo on that! Rounding up illegals would be easy. Pay the local sheriffs $100 a head for every one they catch. Of course, this is assuming that ICE will get off their dead butts and come get them, but I digress.
Scamnesty.
Look who his recent bedfollows are. He has a new Brother and sister-in-law. Carter supports him on the ports deal.
McCain/Kennedy and him are lock-step on immigration.
This issue will be the death blow.
However, if Bush said this, we are indeed in bigger trouble than I ever imagined.
That is ignorant beyond belief!
I assume that the White House owns at least one dictionary!
I have been saying now for over a year, GWB wasted all his political capital in late January 2005 and early February 2005 when he decided to push his disgusting, disgraceful, deceitful, damaging, scamensty deal.
At that point, I knew he was done and a dead duck for the next four years. He has only himself to blame since he is not only tone deaf, but intentionally trying to screw the middle class of this country.
Now that we hear about a "Gold Card" where these invaders will be putting money in "worker investment" accounts, I will 100% favor outsourcing him for the remainder of the term.
So, in other words, someone who has been here illegally for years gets to become a guest worker and have a chance to become a citizen, and will pay absolutely no price for being here illegally, thereby giving the shaft to those who have waited for years to enter this country legally. More crap from the Bush Admin on immigration. They must WANT a GOP rift in 2008.
McClellan went on to underscore that the President supported strengthening border security, that he supported greater funding for the Border Patrol, and that this would be paid for by an increase in the airport fees paid by travelers.
Oh, for cryin' out loud, air travellers are not crossing the border on foot or by car. They should not pay for those who are. Cut some pork and some Education Department funding and get the federal government doing something it is SUPPOSED to be doing for a change.
I have to say that IMO the Bush Admin and most of the GOP has shown they are beyond salvage when it comes to illegal immigration. They've had their chance and are now blowing it big-time.
No disagreement from me, I've said the same myself that the GOP failure to address illegal immigration in a manner not involving amnesty will rift the party.
Spinning ... makes ... me... dizzy ....
Is that why Bush signed a bill calling for 10,000 more BP agents - and then only provided for funding about 300 new agents? And had funding for 1,600 new agents rammed down his throat by Congress.
Well, Clinton parsed "is". And now Bush is parsing "amnesty". All things considered, I think the Bush Admin parsing has the potential to cause far more damage to our country.
Bush definitely rates an "F" on improving border security.
The numbers are increasing at a rapid rate.
The Border gaurds are overwhelmed.
Terror organizations are sending people in disguised as migrant workers.
The government give aliens preferred SBA and tax treatment.
George W. wants to give them amnesty, so millions more can be supported by us.
So tell me, is the United States going to remain a Soveriegn Nation?
To me it looks like a plan to dillute the western european culture left in this country, so The New World Order can
integrate us into the United World Government of the elite.
They have used the the world invasion to gain control over most of the civil service jobs. So these people are on the thier payroll.
The borers will be Policed by Montezumas vengful army, to keep us in.
Ops4 God Bless America!
IIRC, the national security bill he signed in November 2004 mandated 10,000 new BP agents over 5 years at 2,000 per year. Even though that was LAW, the administration cut back the allocation to 150 the first year, then was forced to increase to that by a few hundred... But, maybe the 1,600 you are referring to? (I don't think that many, though.)
Anyway, that's what happened.
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Why can't we just send more $$aid to Mexico so their people will stay there?
I'd be willing to buy them off.
Just like Rome went the way of the ages, so shall we.
This is what happens in the second term of a President who really isn't a conservative. Polls and party don't matter now.
The fight over amnesty will make Miers and the port fight look like child's play.
When voting for the current President I was not naive enough to believe the agenda was 100% certified conservative.
The Conservative movement is us, the citizens who want a free and moral country! No political org is going to guarntee us these rights we must stand and fight for them no matter who occupies the White House.
Ops4 God Bless America!
George W. Bush = Monty Hall
I wasn't expecting 100% certified conservative. But he and much of the GOP has moved far left on spending and illegal immigration. If we weren't in Iraq and fighting Islamist terrorism, there wouldn't be much other than judges to back Bush on.
Time to round them up and deport them. I figure a few miles off shore ought to to it, they can swim home from there.
I'm starting to believe that a parliamentary system is now the best way to go.
Pres. Bush is a perfect example of a Big-Business Republican gone bad. His mistakes will cost the GOP, and the country dearly in the future. He will be, if he is not already, regarded as a failed President.
If the borderless brave new world so great why does the it require deception to sell it?
It's Jihad stupid! Liberals, Jihadis and the Mexican elite all deserving of "preemption."
I think we all started seeing a different man from the one we were expecting, but we did not want to beat the gun... and gave him the benefit of the doubt for as long as we possibly could. For me personally was the Miers nomination (Nothing against her!.. she is not the issue). That was a shocker for me! and I still considered it a miracle that somehow Alito made it through. How? I will never know but it happened... then of course, for me, the border still wide open, is something I simply can not comprehend! WHAT IS HE THINKING?.... and then this about the ports, but the worse part was his reaction to the outrage. "I will VETO it..." :), and guess what... :)
No kidding!
The 'bots seem conspicuously scarce on this thread. Hmmm....
Their hiding, licking their wounds.
You are absolutely right!... if that is true that GOP is thinking (not sure about this but heard rumors) of giving amnesty to all illegals out right - Without even attempting to close/secure the border..FIRST. it will unleash an anger that has been building up that will literate NUKE the Reps for years to come.
The solution to the border/illegal immigration problem begins with CLOSING the border shut... then... we can start talking. Not the other way around.
[blink, blink] "It's only amnesty if I say it is. [blink, blink, blink] And I'm gonna say -- er, ah, I'm NOT gonna say it's amnesty [blink, blink] and, ah, so it's not amnesty. [blink, blink, blink] [smirk]
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