Posted on 05/29/2007 10:15:03 AM PDT by Rb ver. 2.0
GLYNCO, Ga. (AP) - President Bush attacked opponents of an immigration deal Tuesday, suggesting they “don’t want to do what’s right for America.”
“The fundamental question is, will elected officials have the courage necessary to put a comprehensive immigration plan in place,” Bush said against a backdrop of a huge American flag.
He described his proposal—which has been agreed to by a bipartisan group of senators—as one that “makes it more likely we can enforce our border—and at the same time uphold the great immigrant tradition of the United States of America.”
Bush spoke at the nation’s largest training center for law enforcement.
He chose the get-tough setting as conservative critics blast a Senate proposal as being soft on people who break the law. Hoping to blunt that message, Bush emphasized that any new options for immigrants and foreign workers would not start until tougher security is in place.
The presidential stop came during a congressional recess, with senators back home and facing pressure from the left and right on the immigration plan. Bush’s aim is to build momentum for the legislation, perhaps his best chance for a signature victory in his second term. The Senate expects to resume debate on it next week.
“A lot of Americans are skeptical about immigration reform, primarily because they don’t think the government can fix the problems,” Bush said.
“And my answer to the skeptics is: give us a chance to fix the problems in a comprehensive way that enforces our border and treats people with decency and respect. Give us a chance to fix this problem. Don’t try to kill this bill before it gets moving,” Bush told students and instructors at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.
Bush repeatedly cast the matter as one of political courage.
“Those determined to find fault with this bill will always be able to look at a narrow slice of it and find something they don’t like,” the president said. “If you want to kill the bill, if you don’t want to do what’s right for America, you can pick one little aspect out of it.
“You can use it to frighten people,” Bush said. “Or you can show leadership and solve this problem once and for all.”
The bill would give temporary legal status to millions of unlawful immigrants, provided they came forward, paid a fine and underwent criminal background checks. To apply for a green card, they would have to pay another fine, learn English, return to their home country and wait in line.
The plan also would create a guest worker program. It would allow foreign laborers to come to the U.S. for temporary stints, yet with no guarantee they can eventually gain citizenship.
Both the new visa plan and the temporary worker program are contingent on other steps coming first. Those include fencing and barriers along the Mexico border, the hiring of more Border Patrol agents and the completion of an identification system to verify employees’ legal status.
The legislation would also reshape future immigration decisions. A new point system would prioritize skills and education over family in deciding who can immigrate.
Georgia’s senators both played leading roles in producing Bush’s deal with the Senate. Yet they have also said they may not support the final bill, depending upon how it is amended.
Bush chastised those who say the proposal offers amnesty to illegal immigrants. He called it empty political rhetoric.
He must have some sort of deal with the Mexicans — perhaps the coyotes turn in non-Mexicans to the CIA or FBI in return for not being bothered. I just don’t get the reason why he wants to sell the country out in this manner.
I am very tired of politicians telling me that if I disagree with them its because I don’t want what’s right for America. Frankly it makes them look desperate.
susie
...a comprehensive way that enforces our border and treats people with decency and respect.
::::
I wonder if he ever thought about treating the American citizen’s will and this country, FIRST, with decency and respect ??? Or did he forget the Presidential oath ??
We really do have to mobilize for some primary challenges. For instance, South Carolina and Nebraska are safely Republican, and Lindsay Graham and Chuck Hagel are among the two worst senators. Let’s get them outsed!
>>President Bush attacked opponents of an immigration deal Tuesday, suggesting they “don’t want to do what’s right for America.”<<
They are also racists.
And the minutemen are vigilantes.
And those who oppose Harriet Miers are sexists.
Is it 2008 yet?
Eliminate teh “respect part” and I ditto you!
What the hell is going on with Bush and this amnesty program for illegals?
George? Your “bail water first, plug the holes in the hull later” Amnesty Bill won’t work. Don’t expect the rest of us out here with a functioning fore-brain to fall for it...
Eliminate the “respect part” and I ditto you!
What the hell is going on with Bush and this amnesty program for illegals?
Take citizenship off the table, then we'll talk. Otherwise, we might have to bring a Texas sized truckload of tea down to the Rio Grande.
Mr. President I would prefer that Congress do nothing at all rather then vote this garbage in.
The Prez no doubt considers giving amnesty to tens of millions of lawbreakers (most of whom will be registering Democrat) and giving American taxpayer dollars (in the form of welfare goodies) to these lawbreakers "doing what's right for America."
“Those determined to find fault with this bill will always be able to look at a narrow slice of it and find something they don’t like,” the president said.
Bush no doubt considers the amnesty part a "narrow slice."
The only thing for certain is that we do not trust the politicians regarding immigration. They need to prove some things before we are for anything they propose.
Wrong on this one Mr. President.
We need a conservative party...impeach the RINO’s.
Pinging the fans of:
Borders
Language
Culture
Mark Levin made a good point last Friday. Before Bush had been in office, the GOP had won the Congress though elections for 6 years, even after being viciously attacked. After a few good elections, Bush sqaundered the election in 2004 and in a few years lost Congress. Him and his adminstration are the ones who had been in charge (Rove, Mehlmann, etc.). I find their advice for the past 2-3 years has been atrocious and wrong.
Get the band to play a quick verse of "The World Turned Upside Down" because that is some of the craziest talk I've heard. Shut down illegal crossing of the border for a few years, punish employers who hire illegals and maybe even put in some of the ID requirements and instant legal status checks in the bill. If that works for five years, then the next president might be able to come back and ask "Now that the country is secure, what should we do about the illegals still here?" At that point I would be more willing to listen to plans to let them stay, but not until the government has been doing its job for years.
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