Coalition vows to defeat harsh immigration bill [HR 4437]

Reuters ^ | 1/19/06 | Alan Elsner

[lonewacko_dot_com]

A U.S. coalition of business, labor unions and religious groups launched a campaign on Thursday to defeat a bill backed by Republicans that would turn some 11 million illegal immigrants into felons. [NOTE: I believe that was downgraded to a misdemeanor.]

The coalition of 24 organizations, many of which rarely agree on politics or economics, denounced the bill passed by the House of Representatives last month [HR 4437] and called on the Senate to enact legislation to include a guest worker program and a path for illegal aliens to gain legal status.

... "We are extremely disappointed with the proposal that passed the House last month," said Thomas Donohue, president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce which represents some 3 million businesses...

... Andy Stern, president of the Service Employees International Union, which has 1.8 million members, called for comprehensive reform to take control of the border and provided a way for illegal aliens to gain legal status...

... Other groups joining the coalition include associations representing builders and contractors, health care providers, the hotel and restaurant industries, Latino organizations, farm workers, the American Jewish Committee and Catholic bishops...

[lonewacko_dot_com]

Note that they support the McCain-Kennedy mass amnesty.

Note also that the AFL-CIO opposes a guest worker plan.

I've tried and failed to find any kind of a press release announcing this coalition at uschamber.com or seiu.org.

I'd really like to find the URL or at least the name of this new coalition.

See also this older coalition:

immigrationforum.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=581

[gubamyster]

ping

[clawrence3]

I think there are more important national issues than turning some 11 million illegal immigrants into felons too.

[rcocean]

The only interest group in favor of the bill:

250 million Americans who love their country and support the rule of law.

C of C - anything for a buck. They'd support handing the country over to China if they'd be guaranteed a profit.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

Start building the fence.

It should be made a felony for Criminals who overstay their visas and Invaders.

I believe we should give amnesty to these poor CRIMINALS or INVADERS.
This should be a 2 week amnesty to get the heck out of our Country.
The ones who ignore this amnesty should be buried in a tent city jail and fined $10,000 or buried elsewhere.
All aiders and abettors of these CRIMINALS or INVADERS should get 1 year in a tent city jail and a $10,000 fine for each CRIMINAL aided.
Those in government should be the first ones charged.

[jneesy]

I think there are more important national issues than turning some 11 million illegal immigrants into felons too. not in my book

[clawrence3]

Interesting. You know that advocating violent overthrow of the government is illegal too, right?

[clawrence3]

What "book" is that? How about the 40 million plus unborn children killed since Roe v. Wade - that's not just slightly more important?

[NJ_gent]

"You know that advocating violent overthrow of the government is illegal too, right?"

Not if he's in New Hampshire, where the right of the people to rebel against the government is a part of the state constitution. :-)

[clawrence3]

It's against the UNITED STATES Constitution (see e.g. Civil War too ; )

[NJ_gent]

"How about the 40 million plus unborn children killed since Roe v. Wade - that's not just slightly more important?"

Reversing Roe V Wade tomorrow won't stop abortions. What it would do is make some states abortion states, other states non-abortion states, and the rest at some point in between. This is doable now, while the other takes time and starts with getting like-minded people on the SCOTUS. We -can- work on more than one thing at a time, you know.

The fact remains, this is important. In fact, this is as vital to our national security as any defense bill passed in the last 20 years. If we don't start securing our borders and ports, we may as well surrender publicly to Osama and hope for the best.

[clawrence3]

Harisiades v. Shaughnessy 342 U.S. 580 (1952) held that advocating violent overthrow of the Government is unprotected speech.

[tropical]

This legislation is going to be interesting to watch as it makes it way through the senate.

[clawrence3]

We disagree (obviously). I think overturning Roe v. Wade is much more important if, for no other reason, the number of innocent human lives taken pale in comparison.

[clawrence3]

P.S. we can keep terrorists out of the U.S. short of closing the borders and throwing every illegal alien out.

[Reaganwuzthebest]

I think there are more important national issues than turning some 11 million illegal immigrants into felons too.

That's not going to happen, if you were paying attention you'd know Sensenbrenner attempted to strike that provision making illegals potential felons but the democrats all voted against it because they wanted to kill the whole bill. It will be reduced to a misdemeanor by the Senate and approved in conference.

And btw, I can't think of anything more important than to start enforcing all of the nation's laws, including those related to immigration.

[NJ_gent]

"It's against the UNITED STATES Constitution"

Really? Where does it say that? The only place I see something like that mentioned is in the Declaration of Independence. Pray tell, under what circumstances was that document written?

"(see e.g. Civil War too ; )"

Heh, citing an illegal invasion of a foreign entity along with an attempted genocide (see: Sherman's correspondance with his wife) isn't about to win me over.

All that aside, the original poster wasn't talking about overthrowing the government, but rather, prosecuting those who have and continue to explicitly aid illegal immigrants. I would imagine he's talking about BP agents who've taken bribes and public officials who've actively assisted illegal aliens.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

WHAT? Are you an aider or abettor of these criminals?

[Andy'smom]

It seems like he is.

[mthom]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1560900/posts

lol That thread will tell you all you need to know.