So much for the President's down-payment on pandering to Latinos.
"We need more Amnesties."
Posted on 03/23/2002 12:25:55 AM PST by sarcasm
WASHINGTON -- In the weeks leading up to President Bush's trip to Latin America, including a stopover in Mexico, the White House was aggressively pushing Congress to approve a bill allowing undocumented immigrants to stay in the United States while applying for green cards.
The bill passed the House but never made it to the Senate floor for a vote.
The failure to get the bill signed into law in time for the trip abroad was a disappointment for Bush, who wanted to show Mexican President Vicente Fox that his administration was serious about helping the estimated 3 million to 4 million undocumented Mexican immigrants who live in the United States.
Bush, speaking to reporters the day before his Latin American trip, insisted that congressional approval of the measure is a friendly gesture to its southern neighbor.
"I want to show our friends, the Mexicans, that we are compassionate about people who live here on a legal basis, that we don't disrupt the families for people who are here legally," he said.
Passage of the bill would, in fact, allow certain undocumented immigrants to file residency applications without having to leave the country. Current law, covered by Section 245(i) of the U.S. immigration statute, requires such immigrants to return home for as long as 10 years.
To qualify, immigrants would need a family member or employer as a sponsor and need to prove the relationship existed before Aug. 15, 2001. They also would have to pay a $1,000 fine and prove that they were in the country on or before Dec. 21, 2000.
The Mexican government claims between 300,000 and 500,000 Mexicans could be eligible under 245(i).
But immigration experts said passage of 245(i) is a minor issue between the United States and Mexico, affecting a small number of immigrants.
"I think some people in the White House had hoped that this 245(i) bamboozle might fool Mexicans into thinking it was an extraordinary gesture, but the Mexicans understand this one is a minute gesture," said Demetrios Papademetriou, co-director of the Washington-based Migration Policy Institute. A change in 245(i) change "is to pretend as if we were doing something."
If the debate over 245(i) is any indication, that kind of legislation would be doomed.
Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle said objections to the 245(i) provision by Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va, and some Republicans made it difficult to bring the measure to a vote before the Senate left town.
Byrd is chairman of the powerful Appropriations Committee, which has a major say in how much the administration can spend each year.
In an angry speech on the Senate floor this week, Byrd said he opposed the measure because he thought it would encourage more illegal immigration and would reopen "another crack in the system through which a potential terrorist can crawl."
"Section 245(i) acts as an incentive, a lure, for illegal immigration by suggesting that it is quicker and more convenient to enter the country illegally than to wait outside the United States to complete the visa application process," he said.
In one case a state trooper mentioned, there were hundreds of illegals together at a park beside a lake. The troopers were told by INS, "Let them go."
They arrest illegals all the time for various crimes. The first time a guy is arrested, his name is "Juan." He has false ID. "Juan" posts bond and never appears in court. The next time they arrest the same guy, his ID says he "Manuel." Law enforcement officers have no idea who the people they arrest really are! Illegal aliens SHARE the same ID card info with many of their own by simply using different photos on the cards.
We, who are citizens with proof of our identity, are going to be held accountable for our law-breaking. They know exactly who we are. Illegal aliens simply get away with all kinds of things because INS won't deport them and there is such massive identity fraud among them.
These law enforcement officers made it clear. Citizens have fewer rights and lattitude than illegal aliens.
Americans are now second-class citizens in our own country!"
What concievable business is this of Mexico's?
Why have I suddenly fallen in love with Senator Byrd? He isn't afraid to say the things our dear Republicans are terrified to say. I may move over to West Virginia and vote for him next time.
I know what you mean. And all this after the impeachment of Clinton on the basis that he violated the "rule of law". You have to wonder what that phrase means to Republicans (we know what it means to the Dems). Was the impeachment pure politics? Are principles just a farce for the Republican caucus? Is the "rule of law" simply an ad hoc bludgeon to use opportunistically? I don't like what I'm thinking.
So much for the President's down-payment on pandering to Latinos.
"We need more Amnesties."
Don't forget - that's a DemocRAT speaking.
They allowed the slime to "crawl" around in the White House during the '90's and rubber-stamped his initiatives -
and we ended up with 9/11.
Let's not forget that during all this hot-aired bluster.
________________________
I don't think this Frankenstein has been killed yet. But the peasants with torches and pitchforks are chasing it down.
More than a few have floated this theory, and I have posed this (yet unanswered) question to them:
If the Latinos flock to the GOP because the Dems blocked an Amnesty extension...
What will the RINOs have to promise them to stay?
See #20.
"Bush Commits Himself to Industry Leaders
The President met with business representatives and he requested the extension of 245(i). In his message to the Hispanic industralists, Bush called upon the U.S. Congress to approve the section of Immigration Law known as Section 245 (i). Bush also asked the Senate to go ahead with his nomination of judge Miguel Estrada for seat on the D.C. Appellate Cour. "Yes, we believe in Family Values, we understand the value and the importance of the family, and we must pass Section 245(i) in the Congress and give me an opportunity to put it into law", emphasized Bush in his message directed towards the legislators." (El Tiempo Latino, 8 March p. A8).
Original Spanish text available if anyone wants it on FreeRepublic.
Golly, AAAB, I don't know how any of these Bushbots on FR can keep posting 245(i) and keep saying it does do what it in fact does; the Spanish language press in the US and in Mexico is full of references that this is precisely the direction they want to take the country, i.e. regularization and legitimization of the residence status of Illegal Aliens. And Bush is all for it.
Disgusting.
Ludicrous theory.
I think I'd prefer to show our friends the Mexicans that the U.S. has a collective spine.
Even given elitist U.S. desires for uncontrolled immigration (it's both useful and profitable for them), I have long been puzzled by the U.S.'s reluctance, over many years, to step on the Mexican government's toes in any way regarding the northward floods of humanity across the border. Why are our leaders so eager to keep Mexican elites happy by serving as their permanent social safety valve?
This is not a rhetorical question; I am genuinely amazed by U.S. cowtowing to Mexico. Do we need their oil that badly?
The RINOS need to promise them nothing, but conservatives need to recognize their legitimacy.
They are American citizens, with every right, duty and responsibility that you have.
As far as you know...
What will the RINOs have to promise them to stay?
What makes you believe they think that far ahead?
This ridiculous tactic may well have backfired. Don't forget that quite a few Hispanics are opposed to amnesties and this shameless pandering. Add that group to the huge group of irate real Republicans and 2004 doesn't look like a sure bet.
Nobody in their right mind could seriously consider this a good or compassionate idea,,,,
save for El Presidente Jorge Bush.
Hence, my fright...
I wouldn't become smitten with this old KKK'er..
He's holding out for a very large piece of pork.
It's that simple.
Nearly every county in the country has a Republican county committee. Start calling THEM and read them the riot act on this. If you are Republican, state your credentials, or past campaigns you worked in or GOP candidates you donated to.
This hits 'em in the pocketbook. Tell 'em you'll vote with your feet in the next election unless this nonsense stops.
Believe you me, enough calls by GOPers to the Republican local level will make it up the food chain to the state parties and the elected representatives. They'll get the message. This might be a good, value-added strategy for good measure if the phone lines are jammed to Congressmen and Senators on this issue (which they were last week!)
It's gonna blow your mind.
Don't get too worked up over it though. It's just the tip of the iceberg of how we are being sold out by the White House on this one. Freepers are waking up!! ;-)
Whatever works. Though I have no larger illusions about him, myself, too.
Electronic files of fingerprints can solve that one, all they have to do is register all arrested aliens with the FBI database, then do a search through the fingerprints to see how many names the perp has....in theory...
It's true. The "rule of law" has become a meaningless catch-phrase, boob-bait for the bubbas as a famous Democrat used to say. Watch what politicians do, not what they say. Law in America these days has become "situational" like our ethics. It's applied haphazardly, is used as a political weapon and is largely politically partisan. If you want a perfect illustration, get a tape of O'Reilly's Friday program and watch that Democrat robot Robert Ray "explain" his decision not to prosecute the Clintons in Whitewater.
This is a great suggestion and is the kind of practical politics most Freepers should be practicing routinely. I've already done it on this issue and will keep the pressure on. I'm proud to say the representative from my California district, Elton Gallegly, voted against the bill and is a leader in the fight to strengthen our borders.
We often forget to say thanks. Self included. This has a positive reinforcement and helps prevent more Reps. from slipping into the RINO column on issues of importance!!
They are citizens, which is why they can vote.
In the eyes of the law, they are entitled to everything that you are entitled to, if YOU are an American citizen that is.
Not only that, but a good number of them have been on American soil since long before the Irish etc, set foot here.
Thanks for telling me where your coming from.
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