Ted Cruz called for legalizing illegal aliens...in 2013

American Thinker ^ | 11/13/2015 | Ed Straker

[skeeter]

I agree Cruz cannot allow a lie to sit unanswered.

Still its disheartening to see our side use such dishonest tactics.

And even when explained to them, many seem to have their hands clapped over their ears.

[American Constitutionalist]

The Trump supporters are desperate since their guy stepped in it making himself a fool yesterday.

[Pollster1]

There are a lot of possibilities here, and we just don’t know.

Cruz may be trying for incremental progress. First secure the borders. Then deport illegal felons. There is no need to win all at once if we can take a lesson from America’s enemies and just tighten the ratchet one click at a time, but in the right direction instead of toward slavery. Deportation can be discussed once we have secure borders.

Cruz may also be evolving on this issue as he gains a greater appreciation for the fact that America’s enemies are not negotiating in good faith. There is no compromise with evil, and he may have abandoned that goal over time.

Cruz may also be softer on immigration than most of his supporters.

We just don’t know.

All we know for sure is that Trump and Cruz talk like they are the biggest proponents of protecting our sovereignty. I am pretty confident that Cruz means it about securing the border and deporting illegal felons. I am moderately confident that Trump means it too. That and Jeb/Rubio/Christie/Obama/Hillary are all shockingly evil traitors who would destroy our country if given a chance. The rest is a roll of the dice. If this comes up snake-eyes (either we elect a liar who pretended to be a patriot, or votes plus fraud are enough to put a pro-Amnesty thug into power), I’m giving up on the game and finishing my final preparations for the alternative.

[G Larry]

No...Cruz does NOT support legalization!

as former Cruz-staffer Amanda Carpenter explains, Ted didn’t actually support amnesty. He only put this amendment forward in order to show to voters that the Gang of 8 wasn’t telling the truth about whether or not their amnesty plans would eventually result in a path to citizenship for illegal aliens.

Deportation is NOT A PROBLEM!

Require E-Verify for all Employment and Benefits and SELF-DEPORTATION will begin IMMEDIATELY!

[Mariner]

There are hundreds of Cruz supporters on FR that are lashing out a Rubio's campaign for bringing this to light last night.

Many still do not believe it's true.

Weird.

[dschapin]

Cruz proposed that amendment to prove that the democrats wanted citizenship for illegals and would settle for nothing less. It was designed to simply prove that point.

[Mariner]

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/13/us/cruz-tries-to-claim-the-middle-ground-on-immigration.html?_r=1&;

[Cold Heat]

In an interview with Newsmax, Trump slammed Romney and his fellow Republicans for running a “mean-spirited” campaign that drove Latino and Asian voters towards the Democrats.

“Republicans didn’t have anything going for them with respect to Latinos and with respect to Asians,” Trump told Newsmax’s Ronald Kessler. “The Democrats didn’t have a policy for dealing with illegal immigrants, but what they did have going for them is they weren’t mean-spirited about it.”

Trump was especially critical of Romney’s “self-deportation” proposal on immigration, which he called “crazy” and “maniacal.”

http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/Donald-Trump-Ronald-Kessler/2012/11/26/id/465363/

[Mariner]

Yet he would legalize the millions here now, in place.

On the subject of those here now, he has never wavered from that position...though he tries to avoid it as much as possible.

[dschapin]

It is true that Cruz offered the amendment. However, it was part of a strategy to defeat the gang of 8 bill which Sen. Cruz and other conservatives were able to do. However, if you want to buy into a smear campaign launched by Sen Rubio, the leader of the pro amnesty republicans, against Senator Cruz who helped stop him then I guess I cant help you.

[Mariner]

"No...Cruz does NOT support legalization!"

Unless you can cite quotes or written positions to the contrary, his position is and has always been to legalize those here now...work permits...legal residency.

You need to acquaint yourself with the facts...

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/13/us/cruz-tries-to-claim-the-middle-ground-on-immigration.html?_r=1&

[Cold Heat]

And even when explained to them, many seem to have their hands clapped over their ears

Yes....it the same as the emotionalism exhibited by liberals with the total absence of critical thinking skills.

Many people self identify as being Conservatives, but being a Conservative entails conservative views on many issues, not just a few or perhaps one! (Immigration)

It also includes some basic traits, like the ability to pay attention to detail, to be a critical thinker and not emotionally driven.

If all this was true of everyone on this forum, it is my belief that we would not be discussing Trump.

[Mariner]

"However, it was part of a strategy to defeat the gang of 8 bill which Sen. Cruz and other conservatives were able to do."

Several times before and after that Senate hearing Cruz espoused his support for the legalization of illegals here now. I have never seen a quote contrary to it.

He simply defines Amnesty as Citizenship...not legal residency.

I consider it deliberately deceptive.

It has nothing to do with his legislative tactics. It's been his policy all along.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/13/us/cruz-tries-to-claim-the-middle-ground-on-immigration.html?_r=1&

[G Larry]

You rely on the NYT and consider yourself “informed”??

From Ted’s website:
>https://www.tedcruz.org/news/ted-cruz-announces-policy-to-stop-illegal-immigration/<

Prohibit illegal immigrants from receiving financial benefits and strengthen E-Verify. American taxpayers should not be funding benefits for those who are here illegally, and American jobs should not go to those who are here illegally. A Cruz Administration will protect Americans’ wellbeing by stopping the flow of taxpayer dollars to those here illegally and instituting a strong, widely accessible e-verify system.

[Cold Heat]

The only topic regarding immigration that Cruz had a view that might be contrary to some, would be his original H1b increase opinion that has been well hashed out and he has changed that view..

His view on amnesty have always been the same, he is 4 square opposed to it. He is also in favor of deportation but initially he had no plan, nor does Trump except for some statements.

Trumps immigration views have radically changed since 2012 when he criticized Romney for driving Hispanics into the democrats arms by being too harsh on immigration. He called Romney’s views on self deportation “maniacal”.

Maybe you should also acquaint yourself with some facts before you run headlong into trumps wall and get suckered by another so called conservative who is really a blue dog dem.

You are blinded by the light. Put on some shades and see what you are actually looking at.

[Mariner]

Yes, he supports cutting off benefits and instituting e-verify.

And he also supports legalizing those who are here illegally.

And, one has to ask: If the NYT deliberately mis-quoted him, why has he not protested or filed a libel suit?

[Ironfocus]

So you believe the NYT over his own words?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0h3Mu8BbjM

[trisham]

1. A nation without borders is not a nation. There must be a wall across the southern border.

2. A nation without laws is not a nation. Laws passed in accordance with our Constitutional system of government must be enforced.

3. A nation that does not serve its own citizens is not a nation. Any immigration plan must improve jobs, wages and security for all Americans.

Make Mexico Pay For The Wall

More here:
https://www.donaldjtrump.com/positions/immigration-reform

[Mariner]

"He is also in favor of deportation but initially he had no plan, nor does Trump except for some statements.

Trumps immigration views have radically changed since 2012 when he criticized Romney for driving Hispanics into the democrats arms by being too harsh on immigration. He called Romney’s views on self deportation “maniacal”."

1. I have never seen a quote from Cruz indicating that he oppose legalization in place, nor advocated for deportation. I would love to be edified on this matter if one exists.

Hell yeah, Trump's been all over the board on immigration over the last decade, at least. But he HAS published a position paper that calls for deporting every illegal.

I accept Trump at his word and would accept Cruz' word if he articulated a change in position.

[Mariner]

"So you believe the NYT over his own words?"

Nowhere in your tube link does Cruz say he does not support the legalization of those here now. He only says that he is categorically against "Amnesty" which he subsequently defines as Citizenship or a pathway to citizenship.

It's Ted Cruz' own words in the NYT article.