A very hearty and sincere thank you to Senator Elizabeth Dole (R-NC) for being clear that she opposed the Kennedy-McCain-Bush-Graham Amnesty legislation from the start and consistently. A less than hearty but still sincere thank you to Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) one of the “NO Amnesty Eight” who rose to the occasion this morning to help drive a stake in the heart of this monstrous legislative attempt to undermine America’s border security and put citizenship up for sale.
If you are a fellow North Carolinian, give a call to Sens. Dole and Burr to thank them for standing up for you today.
**Afternoon Update** — It is great to have a Congresswoman like Sue Myrick! I used to live in Jim Moran (D-VA) who was completely useless. Myrick is great, especially on immigration! Here is her statement on the Amnesty Crash-N-Burn.
Today, the US Senate voted down the immigration/amnesty bill 53-46. Prior to the vote, Rep. Myrick signed onto Secure Borders FIRST (For Integrity, Reform, Safety and anti-Terrorism) Act of 2007, which was introduced in the House today by Reps. King (R-NY) and Smith (R-TX). This legislation would take real concrete steps to secure our borders and put an end to illegal immigration.
“The Secure Borders FIRST Act is what Congress should pass before we consider anything else. I have said it before, and I will say it again…if we don’t secure the borders and enforce our laws, nothing else we enact will work,” said Rep. Myrick. “The common sense policy of ‘enforcement first’ is what the American people want, and that’s why I support this bill”.
The Secure Borders FIRST Act mandates that DHS gain operational control of all our borders within the next six years, authorizes additional border-security personnel, requires expedited removal for any illegal aliens apprehended within 100 miles of the border within two weeks of entry, and makes alien street gang members deportable and inadmissible. The bill also includes strong worksite-enforcement provisions and requires tamper-resistant biometric social security cards to minimize fraud.
Regarding the defeat of the Senate amnesty bill, Rep. Myrick stated: “The American people killed this bill. They want secure borders and they want our laws enforced. It is that simple; until we know these things are done, amnesty bills will continue to fail.”
The one sane Senator left from the state of South Carolina sums up my feelings after this political disaster given to us by President Bush, John McCain, Harry Reid and Lucy Lindsey Graham.
“When the U.S. Senate brought the Amnesty bill back up this week, they declared war on the American people. This act created a crisis of confidence in their government. Thankfully, the American people won today,” said Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC).
“This is remarkable because it shows that Americans are engaged and they care deeply about their country. They care enough for their country to get mad and to fight for it, and that’s the most important thing of all. Americans made phone calls and sent letters, and convinced the Senate to stop this bill.”
“The Senate rejected this bill and the heavy-handed tactics used to ram it through. Americans do not want more of the same – amnesty and broken promises on the border. Americans want legislation to be written in public – not in secret – and they want Congress to engage in an open and fair debate.”
“There is a better way forward without this bill. The President has said that the border security measures can be implemented over the next 18 months, and they can be done under current law. Now the Administration needs to prove it and stop holding border security hostage for amnesty.”
“Once we have secured the border and restored trust with the American people, we can begin to take additional steps.”
For today, at least… We, The People have reclaimed our role. There is much more work to do in order to fully restore our place in this Republic.
In closing…. I hereby nominate Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) for Senate Minority Leader!
-Bruce (GayPatriot)
What, it’s been several hours since the demise of the
ImitationImmigration Reform bill died, and there’s not an accusation of racist or nativist being hurled at us by the usual suspects?Where’s the vitriol?
I hope all the anti-“Amnesty” commenters here are happy…because now that this storm has blown itself out there will be NO meaningful attempt to make any reforms until at-least the 2nd-year of St. Hillarybeast’s first-term in 2010. So take comfort in knowing that the hydraulic economic pressure that draws illegal workers and there families to America; and the guy who tends to the lawn at your condo or office two years from now will still not be paying taxes, lawfully licensed to operate his beat-up truck, nor gaining a vested interest in being an American.
What fence? What mass-deportations?
Come-on in, the economy’s HOT!
So take comfort in knowing that the hydraulic economic pressure that draws illegal workers and there families to America; and the guy who tends to the lawn at your condo or office two years from now will still not be paying taxes, lawfully licensed to operate his beat-up truck, nor gaining a vested interest in being an American.
(shrug) If you care so much about any of those, Ted, why aren’t you enforcing the existing laws that make them illegal?
And that is really what killed this bill; the American people know full well that, when you hire a contractor to lay carpeting and he puts down broken tile, you don’t let him argue that he can make it better by cutting a few windows in the wall. You force him to put the carpet in right first, and THEN you discuss the merits of the windows.
Don’t come pitching a new solution when you wouldn’t even try to make the old one work first. If you want to see “hydraulic pressure” deflate, start cracking down on and deporting illegal drivers, start confiscating the assets of non-taxpaying illegal immigrants and deporting them, and start going after the day-labor centers, lawncare, and other unskilled labor areas in which they’re employed — all of which you are fully empowered to do under existing law.
As an addition, fingerprint them all, and make it clear that, if you sneak across the border again, you’ll be laboring all right — as a prisoner of the United States government on a prison labor program at prison-labor wages. We can still get our lettuce and fruits picked — by chain gangs.
If you remember, my position was that you have to attack the problem at the employer-end of the stick. As for the existing laws, am I against them…no. But there’s the practical realities, I doubt you really want to live under a regime that would actually rigorously enforce the draconian measures some have suggested? And as to am I enforcing the current laws?; I do not employ illegal employees, nor do I hire any companies that might have illegal employees, nor do I rent any property that illegal residents might live-in. Beyond that there is little that a small business owner and private individual can do.
And now that the politicans have taken entrenched-positions, future progress will have to wait for years. Look at how long DADT has been in-place. Clinton pushed the issue into the political arena…and we’ve seen the back-blast. Now the same is true of immigration reform; status-quo reigns and lip-service will pour-forth from both sides until it becomes yet another mantra used to raise funds.
“In closing…. I hereby nominate Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) for Senate Minority Leader!”
I second that nomination! I am also nominating Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) as Minority Whip!
Regards,
Peter H.
But there’s the practical realities, I doubt you really want to live under a regime that would actually rigorously enforce the draconian measures some have suggested?
But of course, nobody has problems with armed agents breaking down the doors of companies and businesses, holding people at gunpoint while they go through the immigration records, and then handcuffing and hauling off in a squad car the owners/people responsible for hiring those who provided faked or forged documents.
Because those people are white and they are likely US citizens.
I don’t think you get the problem here, Ted. The simple fact of the matter is that, when a) you can buy fake drivers’ licenses and birth certificates on any street corner, b) there is no standardized way or system that allows employers to instantly verify the identification given them, c) even when employers receive notice that something is fishy, i.e. Social Security mismatch letters, they cannot take action against employees, and d) when unions and leftist Democrats sue employers for firing people on the basis of illegal status, there is literally nothing that business can do.
And if you want to know why faking ID is so important, consider this; the ID you need to fake to get a job is also sufficient to let you register to vote.
Finally, what is so “draconian” about finding, rounding up, and deporting illegal immigrants? Would you have been standing there complaining had they found, rounded up, and deported the nineteen of them that pulled off 9/11, or the ones who were making the Fort Dix plot? Furthermore, do you really think that anyone’s going to comply with getting a visa that costs them a large sum of money and requires them to pay taxes when they know full well they can NOT do so — and you won’t do anything about it under fear of being too “draconian”?
What we have here is like a spoiled child who has learned that they don’t have to obey Mommy and Daddy, and if Mommy and Daddy start to get tough, they can scream “I hate you!” (“Racist!”) and Mommy and Daddy will back off.
You are not going to get desired behavior by bribing the kid to behave; they already know that they can get the bribe without behaving.
You are not going to get desired behavior by threatening; they already know that you never follow through on it.
The only thing that is going to get you desired behavior is for them to realize that, if they don’t, there will be real penalty.
You will have a land-office rush for visas when people realize that those who don’t have them will vanish overnight.
You will have absolute compliance on border laws when people realize that the second time you are caught means that your labor will be in prison fields, without being able to send remittances home to your family.
You will have absolute compliance on visa overstays when people realize that the government agents will literally walk you to the plane on the day you are to leave the country — if you don’t do it yourself.
I found it amazing that the proponents of this bill were saying basically, “hey what you gonna do, stop the flow of people into our country? Not possible. ” Juan Williams actually said naturalizing the 12 million and continuing to allow further flows across the border was the “nice thing, the American thing to do.” Most conservatives want the government to first prove they can stem the flow of illegals. Then let’s discuss the 12 million and ways to assimilate them. And I’m tired of everyone assuming this is a problem with American business. If the root of the problem…no illegals coming across ended, what any business does with them becomes moot. Business is already tasked with sales tax confiscation, are we now to get FBI training on how to identify an illegal? We already pay taxes for police/fire protection, border protection, natl guard etc. Fix the problem or we’ll find someone who will.
Oh and btw I’m all for doubling or tripling the numbers of legally processed people immigrating to the USA.
“As an addition, fingerprint them all, and make it clear that, if you sneak across the border again, you’ll be laboring all right — as a prisoner of the United States government on a prison labor program at prison-labor wages. We can still get our lettuce and fruits picked — by chain gangs.”
Some people, yes, are for slavery still.
So now we have American consumers who in their demand for low prices at supermarkets, restaurants, etc., hire and therefore invite illegal immigrants to make consumers’ wishes possible. And we have Americans disposed to treating these human beings as slaves. Is the future of this country more government control of the economy to thwart consumption, or the return of slavery to America? Both are ugly possibilities. Shame.
one quick correction, consumers don’t hire, obviously, employers do–to give consumers what they want.
Unfortunately for you, arturo fernandez, imprisoning people who break immigration laws repeatedly is something you and your fellow leftists support — when Mexico does it.
Mexico had an extremely strict immigration law for both legal and illegal immigrants until recent changes brought on by a new bill. Certain legal rights are waived in the case of foreigners, such as the right to a deportation hearing or other legal motions. In cases of flagrant delicts, such as a person declaring they entered the country illegally, any citizen may make a citizen’s arrest on the offender and his accomplices, turning them over without delay to the nearest authorities. Only Mexicans by birth or naturalization and Mexican companies have the right to acquire ownership of lands, waters, and their appartenances, or to obtain concessions for the exploitation of mines or of waters. Mexicans have priority over foreigners under equality of circumstances for all classes of concessions and for all employment, positions, or commissions of the Government in which the status of citizenship is not indispensable. Foreigners can serve in the military only during wartime.
I think the United States should put in place exactly the same immigration laws that you and your fellow leftists support in Mexico.
In fact, I would love to see what happens if US citizens were given the same power as have Mexican citizens to make an arrest on illegal immigrants and turn them over to the authorities.
I know you would love to see that.
Brava! It’s been a pleasure watching your party tear itself apart on this issue. Now the GOP appears to be xenophobic, out of touch AND ineffectual! Truly, a masterful ploy at winning over the american voting public.
I would like to emphasize that you said that you love what Mexico does and want it for the US.
The threat to democracy and liberty that we are seeing is dangerous indeed. Shame.
Even though I’m conservative, I was really hoping this bill would pass. It’s the only hope I have of keeping my partner here as a permanent resident. He’s not from Mexico, he came here legally, he has a college education and very good English skills, but there is literally no legal way for him to change his visa to a permanent resident visa from here in the U.S. And if he goes to his home country, he will have to wait at least ten years for even a chance at a green card. I can’t marry him because the Federal government won’t recognize it, and he can’t marry a woman because the government wouldn’t recognize THAT because he’s gay!
I am a conservative (I’ve never voted for a Democrat for any national or state office), and I absolutely believe in enforcing our border and building a fence, but for me, all other considerations are secondary to my partner staying here with me. My slimmest thread of hope has been dashed once again.
Your Sentate Minority leader:
Voted to prohibit gays from basic training
Voted for a constitutional ban on Same Sex marriage
See how your rabidness has garbled your senses?
We can still get our lettuce and fruits picked — by chain gangs.
Can we get Sheriff Arpaio to head up ICE?
Now the GOP appears to be xenophobic, out of touch AND ineffectual!
What, I pray thee, is xenophobic and out of touch about demanding that people follow the law and not be pardoned for violating it? What’s xenophobic about oppsing putting those people ahead of others who are waiting patiently to go the legal route?
Further, as has been said before, at least we criticize our own unlike liberals who circle the wagons and do their damndest to defend each other to the death no matter what.
I’m just so excited to see the anti-Amnesty bill that is just waiting for the approval of Congress and the President’s signature. Shall we count in unison the number of hours it will take for it to become law?
I have heard today that Home Depot is now lobbying for exemptions to any pending crackdown on illegals being sourced on their properties. (This was in fear of the “Amnesty Bill” we’re all just too pleased was defeated.) Now just who do you think is going to be getting campaign cash for re-election, hmmm?
And who is going to be deporting the illegals my condominium just fired for being illegal? Where are your chain gangs? Oh FBI, where is thy sting?
One thing to remember is that we can’t deport anyone if their home country refuses them entry. THere is no international law that requires their repatriation. Part of the origins of “catch and release” stems from over the 500,000+ illegals that we can’t deport since their country of origin simply refuses to accept them back. What if Mexico simply refused to accept their own citizens? Just dump them wholesale into the sea at the twelve-mile-line off Vera Cruz?
Just look at the effort it took for find asylum for the 5 Chinese nationals that were released from Gitmo. They finally wound-up in Albania at considerable diplomatic and financial expense on the part of the US State Department.
Part of the origins of “catch and release” stems from over the 500,000+ illegals that we can’t deport since their country of origin simply refuses to accept them back.
There are an estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in the United States.
500,000 people represents 4.2% of that.
The argument that, because their home countries won’t allow 4.2% of them return, that we can’t deport the other 95.8% of them, is roughly akin to the Democrat argument that the less than 5% of abortions that take place for rape, incest, or to save the life of the mother justify the other 95% that are done for the mother’s social convenience.
And for the 4.2%, I have three destinations: Iran, Venezuela, and Cuba. Just ship them to Guantanamo and leave the gates open.
Check the polls, most people support the concept of amnesty for illegal immigrants. That’s because most of us have come to realize the following:
– Simply put – this country is addicted to cheap labor. If we somehow kicked out all the illegal laborers now, the result would be catastrophic on our economy. New home construction would plummet because nobody could afford the labor costs of an “all-american” workforce. Grocery costs would skyrocket as farms and slaughterhouses suddenly lost 90% of their employees. Even tourism would take a huge hit, considering the composition of most hotel/resort staffs. So while we talk all tough with these ‘illegals’ out of one corner of our mouths, we’re still making job offers with the other corner. Most people recognize the inherent hypocrisy of this position, and are thus looking for a more equitable solution.
– How, exactly, do we plan on ‘getting rid’ of these illegals? Are we going to employ some sort of gestapo that bang down the doors of all people who ‘dont belong’? Are we going to tear apart families because somebody didn’t sign the right document? Anybody with an ounce of sense realizes that, logistically, we will never be able to simply ‘kick out’ those people who have settled here without following the proper process.
– Finally, most people realize one simple thing: this nation was built by immigrants, legal or otherwise. Just because some of these immigrants didn’t have the financial resources to deal with out hopelessly convoluted immigration system doesn’t mean they don’t deserve our respect.
To SeattleDan, I would like to know what polls you are talking about? I nbelieve most Americans are against amnesty.
As for tearing families apart, maybe the illegals should not put their families in such a position. So according to you we should not convict and imprison any kind of criminals (drug dealers, killers, thieves) because we will be taking them away from their families. How inhumane of us!
Yeah I don’t like paying exorbinant prices for things but it is the Employer who is addicted to cheap labor, Americans would do these jobs if offered a decent wage but why pay that when you have illegals that will work for slave wages.
In response to #23….
<em>How, exactly, do we plan on ‘getting rid’ of these illegals? Are we going to employ some sort of gestapo that bang down the doors of all people who ‘dont belong’? Are we going to tear apart families because somebody didn’t sign the right document? Anybody with an ounce of sense realizes that, logistically, we will never be able to simply ‘kick out’ those people who have settled here without following the proper process.</em>
It is rather simple. Start enforcing the border laws and cracking down on employers who break the law by hiring illegals. According to Mr. Amnesty himself (GWB), this is supposed to be a “nation of laws”. We need to put our money where our mouths are.
<em>Finally, most people realize one simple thing: this nation was built by immigrants, legal or otherwise. Just because some of these immigrants didn’t have the financial resources to deal with out hopelessly convoluted immigration system doesn’t mean they don’t deserve our respect.</em>
Wrong. I don’t want a nation full of lawbreaking immigrants. Our nation has been blessed by immigrants who come here legally and are willing to assimilate. Those who begin their lives as Americans by breaking our laws and refusing to learn English and assimilate do not deserve the blessings of American citizenship.
Period.
Agree. This nation was built by the immigrants who came here wanting to assimilate or honor our laws – not by the ones who break them or don’t give a hoot.
The argument “We’re a nation of immigrants” is shallow and stupid. Because it is trivially, obviously true… while erasing a crucial moral distinction, as regards the type of immigration.
Simply put – this country is addicted to cheap labor. If we somehow kicked out all the illegal laborers now, the result would be catastrophic on our economy.
How so?
Democrats are whining and crying that unemployment is too high. Get rid of illegal immigrants, and you have millions of jobs in which they can put all the welfare cases that supposedly “can’t find work” TO work.
And, since we will have a) gotten rid of people who take jobs and drain the welfare system WITHOUT paying taxes and b) put in their place people who drained the welfare system, but now will have jobs and pay taxes, we can cut taxes across the board.
Right now, with illegal immigration, we have to double-pay; for instance, we have an illegal immigrant who takes a job making $100 per day, but doesn’t pay taxes and takes $25 in welfare, and an American citizen who can’t find a job, doesn’t pay taxes because they don’t have a job, and and takes $125 in welfare. That adds up to the government paying out $150 in welfare to support two people and taxing everyone else to pay that $150.
Get rid of the illegal immigrant, and the US citizen gets the job paying $100 per day; even allowing them the additional $25 in welfare we gave the illegal immigrant, that means the government only has to pay the $25, (reduced by any taxes that the American citizen pays).
In short, we can immediately and drastically lower taxes, since we can put people to work rather than putting them on welfare; that will offset the increased cost of labor.
And now, to deal with this directly:
How, exactly, do we plan on ‘getting rid’ of these illegals? Are we going to employ some sort of gestapo that bang down the doors of all people who ‘dont belong’? Are we going to tear apart families because somebody didn’t sign the right document?
As I stated above, I am amused at how Democrats will scream and cry about enforcing the law against poor immigrant families, but practically demand that white American business owners and citizens be “frog-marched” off to prison, thus “tearing their families apart”, for employing illegal immigrants, even inadvertently.
But Democrats think white people are all racist and evil anyway, so it doesn’t matter.
And we are not tearing families apart; we will gladly deport anchor children — you know, the ones immigrants had so they could shove them in front of the TV camera (after careful coaching for maximum effect, of course) and thus keep the law from being enforced against them — along with their parents; they can come back when they’re adults or whenever they’re deemed able to live on their own.
If you don’t want your family torn apart, don’t break the law. It’s just that simple.
Children born in the U.S. are citizens and not practically deportable and I, for one, would rather fight other battles than trying to change that.
My position is basically: Secure the borders first, and deport terrorist suspects, plus any illegals who have committed crimes beyond coming here illegally, or crimes in their home country. Then work out guest worker / amnesty for the 95% remaining.
For the record, NDT, I don’t agree with all your points. I do think you have a point that it’s interesting how lefties are so completely opposed to enforcing EXISTING immigration law – except in respects where the enforcement target is perceived-white, perceived-upper middle class, etc.
NDT – you’ve got the situation ass-backwards. I’m guessing that, in your mind, all these illegals are being paid via shifty “under the table” cash payments. In reality, 90% of these illegals are forced to provide documentation to their employers. While this information is often falsified, the end result is that taxes are withheld from the illegals’ salary and paid to the government. At the same time, the illegals often don’t enjoy the benefits of these taxes (schools, routine healthcare, etc.) because claiming them would likely expose their status. Most companies require this little dance because it provides them with plausible deniability. To not withhold those taxes would be a clear indication of fraudulent intent.
Honestly, it’s amazing how poorly informed the people on this site are.
I love how these folk flip-flop when cornered.
Before, we were told that employers WEREN’T requiring documentation and thus were hiring illegal immigrants; thus, in order to solve the problem, Democrats insisted we needed to up the penalties and enforcement on employers, rather than enforcing existing laws and deporting illegal immigrants.
Now, we’re being told that businesses ARE demanding documentation and refusing to hire people without it — because said Democrats now need to insist that illegal immigrants are actually paying taxes.
Furthermore, we’re being asked to believe that these illegal immigrants are forging documentation to get jobs, but not to access welfare benefits — or that, indeed, states are requiring proof of citizenship to get free healthcare, welfare, food stamps, and enroll their kids in schools.
Of course the reason Democrats don’t mind immigrants forging documentation — indeed, Ted Kennedy shot down several attempts to stiffen the penalties for doing so — is because the same documentation you forge to get a job also allows you to register to vote.
And meanwhile, SeattleDan, don’t try the whine about “exposing their status” — the Democrat Party has made sure that illegal immigrants can access the entire array of welfare benefits without anyone asking once if they’re a citizen or not, and eftist Democrat leaders like Ted Kennedy and Harry Reid deliberately blocked any attempt to REQUIRE that people enforce or follow immigration laws.
NDT – I’ve never flipped on anything, so try and tone it down with unfounded generalizations. There was a point where I assumed the same thing you did – that these people were freeloading on our system. But I didn’t really know anything, so I kept my mouth shut until I was better informed. I read some magazine articles, checked their references, and then read the references. In other words, I actually did some honest-to-god research. Across the board, everything I read said the same thing: that while there are certainly some illegal immigrants who place a burden on our system (via criminal activity, emergency room services and the like), they are more than outweighed by those people who leading productive life and contributing considerable to the health of our economy. So next time your want to make wild, unfounded assumptions about anything… maybe consider the ‘research’ thing?
And watching the “Hannity & Colmes” marathon on FNC doesn’t count.
Simply put – this country is addicted to cheap labor.
Ahem. If we need cheap labor, then how can we be addicted to it?
Grocery costs would skyrocket as farms and slaughterhouses suddenly lost 90% of their employees.
I think there’s a BLS statistic out there which points out that only 26% or agricultural jobs are done by migrants. Logically, that means that 74% are done by Americans.
Further, isn’t it enough that the War on Poverty has been one massive turd? You want to add millions more to it? Or is it that liberals are running out of victims?
BTW, just think of all the workers we’d have in this country contributing to the economy and Socialist Stupidity if we didn’t abort millions of kids for fun and convenience.
So next time your want to make wild, unfounded assumptions about anything… maybe consider the ‘research’ thing?
And I notice that you didn’t answer a single one of my statements.
So I repeat myself:
Before, we were told that employers WEREN’T requiring documentation and thus were hiring illegal immigrants; thus, in order to solve the problem, Democrats insisted we needed to up the penalties and enforcement on employers, rather than enforcing existing laws and deporting illegal immigrants.
Now, we’re being told that businesses ARE demanding documentation and refusing to hire people without it — because said Democrats now need to insist that illegal immigrants are actually paying taxes.
Furthermore, we’re being asked to believe that these illegal immigrants are forging documentation to get jobs, but not to access welfare benefits — or that, indeed, states are requiring proof of citizenship to get free healthcare, welfare, food stamps, and enroll their kids in schools.
Of course the reason Democrats don’t mind immigrants forging documentation — indeed, Ted Kennedy shot down several attempts to stiffen the penalties for doing so — is because the same documentation you forge to get a job also allows you to register to vote.
And meanwhile, SeattleDan, don’t try the whine about “exposing their status” — the Democrat Party has made sure that illegal immigrants can access the entire array of welfare benefits without anyone asking once if they’re a citizen or not, and eftist Democrat leaders like Ted Kennedy and Harry Reid deliberately blocked any attempt to REQUIRE that people enforce or follow immigration laws.
I cannot find the Secure Borders First bill on the Web. I’d like to read the actual bill.
Can anyone point me to it? Thank you.
Please respond to michaeld1@peoplepc.com with a link!