Could GOP Endorse Hiring Illegal Workers?

National Journal ^ | 8-6-2012 | Fawn Johnson

[Tau Food]

Straight out of red-state Texas and a free-market mentality, restaurateur Brad Bailey is trying to get Republicans to endorse a radical idea: Let businesses hire foreigners, even ones here illegally, if they can’t find American workers. His target is the Republican National Convention, where he is hoping to win over the most conservative of conservatives to an immigration plan that Bailey says makes sense for businesses and, ultimately, for the GOP.

Much to the surprise of many politicians, the idea won the support of the Texas Republican Party at the state convention in June. It probably helped matters that the plan also accommodated two top priorities for immigration hard-liners: anticounterfeit Social Security cards and an end to automatic citizenship for all children born to immigrants on U.S. soil. The proposal also includes the obligatory nod to border security, complete with explanation point: “The U.S. border must be secured immediately!”

Now Bailey is traversing the country attempting to secure support among Republican opinion leaders who will convene in Tampa, Fla., next month to nominate former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney for president. The Texan is well aware that he faces major political hurdles at a time when Republican candidates endure a public skewering for a mere whisper that undocumented immigrants should be given legal status. The mission statement of his nonprofit group, The Hard Work Clean Hands Initiative, states as one of its goals, “To sensitize conservatives about the rhetoric on immigration.”

“Privately, elected officials will tell you, ‘Hey, we understand the problem. Deporting 11 million people is impossible.’ But when they come out publicly,” Bailey said, “they are retaliated against.”

[Tau Food]

Conservative thinkers agree that the GOP has softened on immigration since McCain ran for president, which could mean that a plan like “The Texas Solution” could fly at the national convention. It doesn’t have “amnesty,” but it does offer a plausible path for illegal immigrants.

Do you personally know any conservative thinkers who believe that it's time to soften opposition to illegal immigration?

[Politicalmom]

A perfectly “plausible path” for illegals exists now. It leads BACK TO THEIR HOMELAND.

[ansel12]

Romney has a long time relationship with and personal endorsement of illegals in America.

[muawiyah]

AFter 4 years of extraordinarily high unemployment rates most Conservatives would probably agree with a plan that included capital punishment for employers who hire illegal aliens.

[cripplecreek]

I believe in the free market principles of supply and demand. It applies to employer as much as to the buyer.

[Tau Food]

Well, as you can see, there are people pushing to change attitudes in the GOP. They’re attempting to make it sound as if importing illegal aliens for cheap labor is a grassroots “conservative” movement. It’s ridiculous, but there it is.

[cripplecreek]

Oh give Mitt a break. He “warned” his illegal gardeners on multiple occasions. LOL

[Plumres]

I have an idea for the Republicans where they maybe able to at least show they care about minorities. The are a lots of intercity youths that commit crimes that will haunt them the rest of their life's. I say that some of these youths as they become young adults, turn their life's around, but companies still will not hire them because they have a record. Maybe a program proposed by Republicans could be created that could help determine if there is a real turn around and clear the record. I would like to save their life and create more tax payers.

This is just an idea, and I know very few would qualify.

[DoughtyOne]

Frankly, I think there’s a large presence of folks right here on this forum that go silent when the subject of illegal immigration comes up.

I can’t explain it, but some folks don’t have clue one when it comes to what we should do with the illegals.

McCain wanted to give them an ‘not an amnesty’ amnesty.

Sarah Palin stated that she wanted to register them so they could stay here and work.

I don’t think Romney or Ryan are particularly hard nosed about it. “Immigration, why yes I am strong on immigrations, mumble, mumble, mumble, mumble, and in conclusion, mumble.”

I’m convinced they don’t think they need citizens like us anymore. And the more I see of their plans, I actually think they’re right.

That’s why they don’t get my votes anymore.

[cripplecreek]

I love the way its portrayed as a free market thing.

Apparently if things get rare or expensive, its OK to steal.

[spintreebob]

Hyperbole, I hope. “Let the free market decide” was the conservative Republican position pre-911. Closed borders was the union Dem position. Pre-911 Hannity and other conservatives ridiculed Pat Buchanan as the only conservative to be against the free market.

So the current effort is to just go back to pre-911 conservativism...but the Reagan-Kemp optimism; not the Buchanan Malthusianism.

[Tau Food]

There will always be a demand for cheap labor if the employer can count on the taxpayer to pay for his workers’ health care, food stamps, and public schooling. Slaveowners were responsible for his slaves’ food, clothing, shelter and health. I don’t think that taxpayers should be expected to cover these costs.

[SeminoleCounty]

The GOP better get off this fetish for Illegal Aliens. Conservatives will stay home, and, you will not get the Democrats who support strong immigration laws.

If this guy cannot find American workers to hire...he should consider something other than running a business.

I am so tired of those who continue to find excuses to push Illegal Alien Amnesty. Our borders need to be secured, the illegal aliens deported, and all Americans working before even considering LEGAL IMMIGRATION.

[Tau Food]

You're absolutely right. And, the politicians are hearing from important interest groups. Here's what the website of the United States Chamber of Commerce has to say about immigration:

"Immigration reform should accomplish the following goals: control and secure our borders; improve employment verification systems for determining whether an employee is authorized to work in the United States; create an effective and streamlined temporary worker program so that employers can hire immigrant workers when U.S. workers are unavailable; and provide, under certain strict qualification criteria, a pathway to legal status for undocumented workers currently in the United States."

[cripplecreek]

create an effective and streamlined temporary worker program

That statement alone is a lie in the sense that it creates the impression that there are currently no guest worker programs. There have been migrants and guest workers since before I was born.

[Tennessee Nana]

PING

[muawiyah]

Hannity has demonstrated many times that he's not a Conservative ~ he's just a talk show opportunist. I think he's still beating the drum about people not paying any taxes ~

The pre 911 argument was to close the borders. That was the position since the early 1950s when Eisenhower hauled the Mexicans to the border and kicked them out.

Trying to figure out when a real Conservative was in favor of open borders and it does not come to mind. You go all the way back to 1604 and you find King Philippe of Spain handing over much of North America to others with directions regarding BORDERS. He paid to continue a survey earlier commissioned by his father.

Philippe was certainly a Conservative in anyone's estimation!

[muawiyah]

longer prison sentences should easily solve that problem.

[ansel12]

A lot of people don’t realize that the libertarian party has always been for totally open borders, totally open, no Border Patrol, no INS.

[Tau Food]

You’re absolutely right and that’s one of the reasons I’m not much of a libertarian. ;^)