http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/bushamnesty/ en-us Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:27:42 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1868687/posts NASHVILLE, Tenn. - President Bush sharply challenged critics of his stalled immigration-overhaul efforts on Thursday, suggesting that failure to pass a guest-worker program could trigger a labor shortage in the United States. At a town-hall style meeting, Bush also rebuffed a question about whether he would consider pardoning two Border Patrol agents in prison for the cover-up of the shooting of a drug trafficker in Texas. "No, I won't make you that promise," Bush told a woman who asked about a possible pardon. Many Republicans in Congress have said the men should not have been convicted and have criticized the... Yahoo http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1868687/posts#comment Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:27:42 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1859556/posts "Here the Bush administration has a case to make. Border enforcement has dramatically improved. The catch and release program of OTMs (other than Mexicans) was ended last summer, a month ahead of schedule. Substantial miles of the border fence, voted by Congress last September, are being built. Technology provides us with means to seal the border in thinly populated areas in ways impossible in the 1980s and 1990s. Rhetoric aimed at showing a willingness to accept immigrants has concealed these achievements. Rhetoric emphasizing the increasing toughness and shrewdness at protecting the borders could create another impression." For all of the... Real Clear Politics http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1859556/posts#comment Mon, 2 Jul 2007 13:21:06 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1851177/posts President Bush yesterday told Hispanics to step into the middle of the immigration debate and make sure senators who have been bombarded with calls from opponents also hear from those who support the bill. "There's a lot of emotion on this issue, and it makes sense to have people from around the country come and sit down with members of Congress to talk rationally about the issue," he told those attending the Hispanic Prayer Breakfast in Washington yesterday. He was speaking a day after the bill, which collapsed last week, was revived by the top Democrat and Republican in the... The Washington Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1851177/posts#comment Sat, 16 Jun 2007 05:05:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1848632/posts For the first time in five years, President Bush will attend the Senate Republicans' weekly policy lunch today as he pushes to revive his moribund overhaul of the nation's immigration laws. But even before he set foot in the Capitol, several Republican senators issued a terse warning yesterday: Don't expect much. In the days after the sweeping compromise on immigration collapsed on Thursday, opposition, if anything, appears to have hardened among some senators who had once been willing to consider the deal. The bill's vociferous critics have also had a long weekend to throw dirt on its grave. .... Republicans... Washington Post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1848632/posts#comment Tue, 12 Jun 2007 01:02:50 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1846807/posts A broad immigration bill to legalize millions of people in the U.S. unlawfully failed a crucial test vote in the Senate Thursday, a stunning setback that could spell its defeat for the year. The vote was 45-50 against limiting debate on the bill, 15 short of the 60 that the bill's supporters needed to prevail. Most Republicans voted to block Democrats' efforts to bring the bill to a final vote. The legislation, which had been endorsed by President Bush, would tighten borders, institute a new system to prevent employers from hiring undocumented workers in addition to giving up to 12... NewsMax http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1846807/posts#comment Fri, 8 Jun 2007 04:10:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1843634/posts "I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical." So said Jefferson. It would appear to be time again for a little rebellion in the Grand Old Party – this time against George II. For President Bush has attacked his own loyalists for a lack of patriotism. "If you don't want to do what's right for America," he said of opponents of the Bush-Kennedy immigration bill, "if you want to scare the American people, what you say is the bill's an amnesty bill.... WorldNetDaily http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1843634/posts#comment Sat, 2 Jun 2007 14:10:36 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1839040/posts Today's debate is just beginning. President Bush is also speaking in the Rose Garden today at 11:00 EST on this issue and war funding. (A Live Thread is up on that one too.) I have to leave today so I can only check in periodically. Thus far Menendez (D of New Jersey) is slamming the Coleman-Bond amendment, which will REQUIRE that states and municipalities permanently END "Sanctuary Cities." Of course, his reasoning is tortured; he's pulled out the old crying towel, and is already playing the the Nazi card ("Your papers, please.") Another amendment will be debated today as well... The United States Senate (and Free Republic input) via C-Span 2 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1839040/posts#comment Thu, 24 May 2007 14:46:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1836227/posts The Bush administration insisted on a little-noticed change in the bipartisan Senate immigration bill that would enable 12 million undocumented residents to avoid paying back taxes or associated fines to the Internal Revenue Service, officials said. An independent analyst estimated the decision could cost the IRS tens of billions of dollars. A provision requiring payment of back taxes had been in the initial version of a bill proposed by Senator Edward M. Kennedy, the Massachusetts Democrat. But the administration called for the provision to be removed due to concern that it would be too difficult to figure out which illegal... Boston Globe http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1836227/posts#comment Sat, 19 May 2007 10:54:46 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1835236/posts WASHINGTON - A bipartisan group of senators reached agreement with the White House Thursday on an immigration overhaul to grant quick legal status to millions of illegal immigrants already in the U.S. and fortify the border against new ones. One of the key negotiators, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., said he expects President Bush to endorse it. The deal came after weeks of painstaking closed-door negotiations that brought the most liberal Democrats and the most conservative Republicans together with Bush's Cabinet officers to produce a highly complex measure that carries heavy political consequences. It set the stage for what promises... AP on Yahoo http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1835236/posts#comment Thu, 17 May 2007 17:16:31 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1835653/posts I am beside myself as I listen to the news about yesterday's disgusting Amnesty proposal from the senate. Please, if you feel the same help fan the flame ...see below. A Patriot's Heart http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1835653/posts#comment Fri, 18 May 2007 12:18:08 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1835613/posts Senators and the White House clinched a deal Thursday on bringing 12 million illegal immigrants out of the shadows and securing US borders, which could enhance President George W. Bush's legacy. The pact would provide a path to permanent residency and citizenship for illegal workers, establish a merit-based points system for future immigrants and also establish a temporary worker program. The bill, which emerged from exhaustive round-the-clock talks, and will be debated in the Senate next week, will provide 18,000 more border patrol agents, and scores of radar and camera towers on the US border with Mexico. It is aimed... Breitbart http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1835613/posts#comment Fri, 18 May 2007 08:28:42 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1835638/posts WASHINGTON The Senate is poised to begin debate on the most sweeping immigration overhaul in decades after a bipartisan group of lawmakers announced they have agreed on a deal. Their draft would provide a way for millions of undocumented immigrants to come forward and live and work legally in the United Sates. "Politics is the art of the possible, and the agreement we just reached is the best possible chance we will have in years to secure our borders, bring millions of people out of the shadows and into the sunshine of America,'' Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., said Thursay. Kennedy,... Orange County Register http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1835638/posts#comment Fri, 18 May 2007 11:25:52 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1835371/posts “Sellout.” It may be harsh, but it’s the most accurate and succinct way to sum up how conservatives feel right now about President Bush and Senate Republicans, who have cut a deal that would grant amnesty to the estimated 12 million illegal aliens living in the U.S. — not to mention the parents, spouses, and children of these illegals. Title VI of a draft copy of the bill breaks down amnesty visas into three categories: Z-1 — Illegal aliens present and working in the United States up to Jan. 1, 2007. Z-2 — Parents and spouses of illegal aliens qualifying... National Review Online http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1835371/posts#comment Thu, 17 May 2007 21:41:56 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1835745/posts HH: Now, I’m joined by Congressman Duncan Hunter of the Armed Services Committee. Congressman Hunter, what do you make of the Senate deal? DH: Well, from what we’ve seen of the deal, it’s a bad thing. I would, if I was president, I would veto it. And specifically, I wrote the law that mandates the 854 mile border fence, It’s been advertised as 700 plus miles, but if you add up the actual mileages that were mandated, these smugglers’ routes, it’s 854 miles. HH: Is that double fencing, Congressman Hunter? DH: That’s double fencing. 854 miles of double fencing, and... The Hugh Hewitt Show http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1835745/posts#comment Fri, 18 May 2007 14:30:54 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1835726/posts Around much “celebration,” the U.S. Senate announced on Thursday that a “deal” had been reached on “comprehensive” immigration reform. As I heard the details of the bill, I could feel the collective groans of the conservative movement, just as if we were all punched in the stomach. Why did we work so hard to build Republican majorities? Why did we spend so many hours at phone banks or going door to door? The past six years have seen an erosion of everything we’ve worked for, and now our “leaders” give us immigration “reform.” Following announcement of the deal, President Bush... GOPUSA http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1835726/posts#comment Fri, 18 May 2007 14:03:50 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1835753/posts Grassfire.org President Steve Elliott released the following statement regarding the new Bush-Senate amnesty plan: "The Bush-Senate Z-Amnesty plan is 100-percent amnesty. It immediately offers legal status to every illegal alien in this country, which by definition is amnesty. It creates a clear path to citizenship and illegals do not even have to "touch back" to their home countries to stay in the U.S. indefinitely. "In addition, the so-called 'triggers' are bogus and offensive to American citizens. In fact, illegals are granted legal status before triggers are even considered. We know that once the 'camel's nose is in the tent,' there... Christian News Wire http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1835753/posts#comment Fri, 18 May 2007 14:43:10 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1835592/posts The bipartisan "grand bargain" on immigration announced Thursday -- promising the most sweeping changes to U.S. immigration law in more than two decades -- met a swift onslaught from the no-amnesty right and a warm, if qualified, embrace from leading pro-immigrant groups on the left. No wonder. The pact offers quick legalization of the estimated 12 million people living illegally in the United States as of Jan. 1. Within eight years, it also would provide permanent residence -- the coveted green card -- to 4 million new immigrants, mostly family members of those already here, who have been waiting a... SF Chronicle http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1835592/posts#comment Fri, 18 May 2007 05:42:42 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1775671/posts Just caught a piece of this. There was a confrontation on the Mexican-Arizona border between the National Guard and "Mexicans dressed in combat/tactical gear and carrying rifles." Apparently the Guard had to retreat because it is not allowed to fire even when threatened on US soil. Perhaps other Freepers have more details. If this is true, WTF are we doing about border security? Fox News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1775671/posts#comment Mon, 29 Jan 2007 20:23:05 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1762975/posts WASHINGTON -- As a result of lawsuits, the U.S. government released this week the actual U.S.-Mexico Social Security Totalization Agreement, an understanding signed between the Bush administration and the Mexican government in 2004 that would funnel billions of U.S. Social Security funds to Mexican citizens. TREA Senior Citizens League, a Washington-based nonpartisan seniors group, announced this week that after Freedom of Information Act lawsuits it filed against the government, it had received the secret agreement document. Brad Phillips, a spokesperson for TREA, told NewsMax that the language in the agreement "raises more questions than it answers — such as what... Newsmax http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1762975/posts#comment Fri, 5 Jan 2007 18:42:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1760916/posts WASHINGTON, Dec. 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- After numerous refusals over three and a half years, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has released the first known public copy of the U.S.-Mexico Social Security Totalization Agreement. The government was forced to make the disclosure in response to lawsuits filed under the Freedom of Information Act by TREA Senior Citizens League, a 1.2 million-member nonpartisan seniors advocacy group. The Totalization Agreement could allow millions of illegal Mexican workers to draw billions of dollars from the U.S. Social Security Trust Fund. The agreement between the U.S. and Mexico was signed in June 2004, and is... Yahoo http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1760916/posts#comment Mon, 1 Jan 2007 16:04:50 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1760996/posts Illegal immigrants planning to cross the desert and enter the US on foot are to be given hand-held satellite devices by the Mexican authorities to ensure they arrive safely. Those who get lost or fall sick during the dangerous four-day crossing will be able to activate the device, to alert frontier police on both sides of the border. The satellite tracking service will require would-be illegals to register their intentions before setting off — a paradoxical move, given that secrecy is necessary for success — but Mexican authorities are predicting that about 200,000 devices will be handed out when the... Sunday Telegraph http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1760996/posts#comment Mon, 1 Jan 2007 19:54:13 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1759777/posts Jose Alonso Compean and Ignacio Ramos, were sentenced to 12 years and 11 years, respectively, in October by U.S. District Court Judge Kathleen Cardone in El Paso, Texas. The drug smuggler was granted immunity for his testimony. WorldNetDaily http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1759777/posts#comment Fri, 29 Dec 2006 11:13:42 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1759814/posts COLUMBUS, N.M. - On Sept. 5, a man calling himself Miguel Alfonso Salinas was apprehended off a deserted highway near the U.S.-Mexico border. The tinted windows on Alfonso Salinas' vehicle aroused the suspicion of Border Patrol agents patrolling a dark and desolate stretch of Highway 9, which runs parallel to the border and is the site of large numbers of illegal crossings. The agents discovered three Mexican migrants in the vehicle with Alfonso Salinas. But what they discovered several days later made a far greater impression. Alfonso Salinas was not who he seemed, according to U.S. Department of Justice and... Inland Daily Bulletin http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1759814/posts#comment Fri, 29 Dec 2006 13:34:24 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1759011/posts Retooled immigration legislation that could get a vote in Congress by spring amounts to "amnesty" for millions of undocumented workers, Rep. Peter King (R-L.I.) fumed yesterday. "I just have no support for this at all," King told The Post. "This is clearly amnesty." King was responding to word that a bipartisan bill is being prepared for consideration by the new incoming Congress. According to a Senate Democratic aide, Sens. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.) have already opened "preliminary" discussions with two House members over the revised legislation. Negotiators are considering scrapping a complicated proposal that would require an... NY Post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1759011/posts#comment Wed, 27 Dec 2006 16:58:23 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1758409/posts WASHINGTON, Dec. 25 — Counting on the support of the new Democratic majority in Congress, Democratic lawmakers and their Republican allies are working on measures that could place millions of illegal immigrants on a more direct path to citizenship than would a bill that the Senate passed in the spring. The lawmakers are considering abandoning a requirement in the Senate bill that would compel several million illegal immigrants to leave the United States before becoming eligible to apply for citizenship. The lawmakers are also considering denying financing for 700 miles of fencing along the border with Mexico, a law championed... NY Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1758409/posts#comment Tue, 26 Dec 2006 02:36:59 GMT