Posted on 05/19/2007 8:10:39 PM PDT by Baladas
President Bush today tackled head-on a key criticism of the immigration agreement pending before Congress, asserting it would settle the status of illegal immigrants without granting them amnesty.
With the Senate set to debate the measure this week, the clash over what constitutes amnesty looms as one of the major points of contention in the bill, which also would toughen border security and establish a guest worker program.
The legislation would offer probationary legal status to the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants who were in the U.S. before Jan. 1, 2007. Those who then met a series of requirements — including payment of a $5,000 fine and $2,000 in processing fees — could gain citizenship within an estimated 12 to 13 years.
In his weekly radio address today, Bush said the plan "will help us resolve the status of millions of illegal immigrants who are here already, without animosity and without amnesty."
But critics, led by Republican conservatives, argue that any measure that would ultimately clear a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants represents amnesty, regardless of penalty provisions.
As Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) put it earlier this year, "My definition of amnesty is when you forgive and reward lawbreakers with the objective of their crimes."
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
I want amnesty for my speeding tickets. Do you think Jorge Bush will oblige?
I have always defended this President, thought he was a forthright guy throughout this War which I still believe in .
But right Now ..Sit down Mr. Bush and shut up.
One thing they’ll never get from me.
“Duncan Hunter has built 59.25 miles of Border Fence, reducing crime on the border. He stopped the drive-thru smugglers. I know I can count on Duncan to continue leading the fight to secure the border.”
– Thomas Wacker, U.S. Border Patrol Chief (Ret.)
And if millions of them don’t pay their money? What then? You going to deport them, just like you do now? If I was illegal, I don’t think I’d be terribly worried at this point.
I have too on many issues (though not many domestic issues!). Bush makes it very hard to be one of his "supporters."
The times I've defended him, it's been half-hearted and I've felt foolish doing it.
Miers ... I said let her have hearings and gave him the benefit of the doubt. But it seemed like every hour there was something new for Freepers to slap me in the face with.
Iraq ... I continue to believe we did the right thing by invading and we're doing the right thing by staying. But good grief, if they arrest one more dang Marine over there, I'm going to hang up supporting him in Iraq, too. I think his strategy since they decided to let Sadr live has been nothing short of foolish.
Of course, I opposed him on much of what he's done domestically, but always with the caveat - I forgive him because of the WOT.
My forgiveness is running out. Now I can only support him because of my own pride.
He spent all his political capital and is now in deficit. Neither political party now represents the American people.
I vote for Bush both times and have defended him for 6 years.
Not any more. If this putrid “detroy America by turning it into a third world socialist state” bill is signed by Bush, then I’d be in favor of his impeachment and imprisonment. I hate to say it, but it has to be said.
Regarding the war, untie the hands of our troops and let them win the damn war.
Enforce the laws that are there now, and add more security to borders.
The fact the bill is 1000 pages scares me! Knowing that Congress never has time to read the bills they pass, the entire proposed bill should be published online so that our resident legal experts can review all the fine print.
The worst thing he did was make the Democrats right. He made them right about Iraq, and he's making them right that he probably will be one of the worst presidents in our country's history.
Like I said, I still want to support him because it keeps me from having to admit I was wrong.
Of course, the Democrats are right for the wrong reasons, so I've still got that to hold onto.
I want free medical care and all my present and past medical bills reimbursed. Do you think Jorge Bush will oblige?
If the illegals get free medical I want free medical.
Yep. It's all going to unravel now, thanks to immigration. The Republicans keep crossing the line in the sand and we keep drawing new lines. But I think this one is it.
We need to crack heads in Iraq while we still can, because after '08 there won't be anyone in any position of power who will keep the troops there to protect the Iraqi people. We need to kill every bad guy we can and make it clear to the government they will soon be on their own.
Nobody will pay!
Why bother? We all know the “highlights” of this bill and they are unacceptable.
Let’s see...I give you a visa, which automatically calls of the dogs (ICE). Then I expect you to go back home, turn around and come back. Then I expect you to pay me some money.
While I’m waiting for this money, you can get a job and live like a real citizen.
And I expect this from you knowing that you’ve broken the laws to get here and probably illegally got benefits too.
In such a situation, would YOU pay?
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