Is It ‘Amnesty’ or ‘Earned Citizenship’?
Or neither. That’s our position.
S.F. Chronicle reports: “The immigration debate roiling the Senate and the country often boils down to one charged word: amnesty.”
It is brandished like a loaded gun by opponents of expanded legal immigration and ducked like deadly fire by supporters.
. . .It simplifies deep complexities, promises easy answers to hard questions, sensationalizes an angry debate and obscures truth.
An entire glossary of code words and phrases has appeared for the Senate debate that will occur in the next weeks over what to do about the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants now in the country and the 500,000 who arrive each year.
They include: “comprehensive reform,” “border security,” “temporary worker,” “earned citizenship” and “virtual fence,” among others.
That’s right. Let’s not forget “undocumented.”
So what’s the real debate?
The bill on which the Senate opened debate Wednesday is based on legislation sponsored by Republican Sens. John McCain of Arizona and Kennedy of Massachusetts — and was essentially written a year ago by two conservative House Republicans from Arizona, Jim Kolbe and Jeff Flake.
In addition to tighter enforcement at the borders, it would allow all 12 million illegal immigrants now in the country to legalize their status if they pay a fine, submit to background checks, remain employed, pay taxes, learn English and study American civics.* After roughly 11 years, another fee and more background checks, they could gain permanent residence and, ultimately, citizenship. Roughly 400,000 new temporary visas, based on market conditions, would be granted to new arrivals each year. These visa holders could apply for permanent residence.
Opponents call this amnesty. Supporters call it earned citizenship.
We call it ridiculous. And we’d like to submit a competing bill called “Get Real.”
“This bill provides a direct path to citizenship to people who came here illegally,” said Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., who opposes the bill. “That’s just a fact.”
Well, someone gets it.
At the same time, the plan would require these immigrants to go through many lengthy and costly hoops. This differs from the 1986 amnesty in the last comprehensive immigration bill, which provided a blanket pardon.
“Amnesty means forgiveness. Amnesty means a pardon,” [Ted] Kennedy said. “Every individual is going to pay a penalty and go to the back of the line and have to earn their way through and take 11 years to become a citizen.”
Somebody’s drinking while driving again. Kennedy obviously swallowed the worm to believe that “poor” illegals who are currently taking advantage of the system are going to “go through many lengthy and costly hoops,” only to go “to the back of the line” and wait over a decade for citizenship.
Here’s our conclusion: Until politicians cut the lipservice and take serious actions to stop the inflow of illegal immigrants, America will remain unsuccessful in controlling the problem.
Whether it requires building a wall, fining employers, or even better both, that’s what needs to be done first.
Programs that put the responsibility for corrective action onto the illegal immigrants are nothing more than an exercise in futility. It’s like telling college kids not to drink because it’s bad. Where’s the keg, Ted?
And by offering “amnesty” or “guest worker” status before sealing up the porous and neglected border will only create more incentive for illegals to sneak over. Just like any giveaway, people are going to run for it.
UPDATE:
GatewayPundit: ” Hell No, We Won’t Go!…
And, We Demand You Fund Our College!
Allapundit reports:
The president’s in Mexico today and tomorrow to deliver a stern message to Vicente Fox in Mexico: we’re not going to stand for any more illegal immigrants … so we’ll have to call them “guest workers” instead.
(See the photo of Predator; big game hunting again)
RELATED:
The Documents of The “Undocumented”
They Pledge Allegiance To The Flag…
Only In America: Illegal Immigrants And Their Allies
Rally To Protest Law Enforcement
ALSO BLOGGING:
QandO: “Immigration Reform: First, Control The Borders”
JustOneMinute: “Immigration - Fissures Everywhere”
LaShawn Barber: “Illegal Ingrates”
RightWingNuthouse: “Image Is Substance in Immigration Debate”
Cao’s Blog: “Look at a map; borders still exist”
AllThingsBeautiful: “A Chance For A Better Life”
Euphoric Reality: “An Upside-Down Flag”
RightonTheRight: “A Race War Is Looming”
Decision ‘08: “Immigration remains the topic du jour”
Technorati Tags: Los Angeles, Immigration, Illegal Aliens, Special Interests, Mexico
March 30th, 2006 at 11:43 am
Its amnesty plain and simple, im sick and tired of giving lawbreakers a free pass for their crimes, its not only amnesty, its just about appeasement. It only encourages more and more of the same behavior.
Great post :-)
- James
March 30th, 2006 at 11:47 am
Yeah, these guys could jump through these hoops to “gain permanent residence and, ultimately, citizenship.” Or they could do nothing, pay no fines, and get to stay here anyway.
Excellent point about the enduring incentive this creates.
Just like any giveaway, people are going to run for it.
March 30th, 2006 at 12:09 pm
David Crockett the famous frontier man of the early 1800’s was also a congressman.
He summed up an eloquent speech to his peers by stating that the monies, assets and the country “is not yours to give”.
The government by law has illegally “gifted” invaders the assets owned by its citizens. Further they are “taxing” the citizens to promote an illegal activity that is constitutionally prohibited.
Its going to hurt, but we must not allow this amnesty to happen nor accomodate the transgressions of our government or of those that came here without an invitation.
March 30th, 2006 at 12:21 pm
History provides the best lessons. Thanks for the comment.
March 30th, 2006 at 12:28 pm
Most Americans I know don’t like paying taxes. Does that mean if they stop, they can get amnesty because the idea of paying income taxes offends them?
Laws are created for a reason, and if we got to pick and choose to obey only those that we agree with - chaos would prevail.
And I don’t see how Bush’s guest-worker program could be enforced. The plan would be for an approved worker to start with a two-year visa. After that, the worker would have to return to their home country for a year, the worker could then return with a three-year visa, which could be renewed once. After that renewal  in the worker’s sixth year in the program  the worker or the employer could petition for permanent legal residency, also known as obtaining a green card.
It reminds me of when I used to give my kids a curfew. Nine times out of ten they didn’t return home when they were supposed to.
What’s wrong with implementing the same requirement to enter the U.S. from Mexico as we will impose on our Canadian border in 2008 … no passport - no entry.
March 30th, 2006 at 12:40 pm
And another thing about a “guest-worker program” (besides the failures we’ve already pointed to in France and Germany), if politicians don’t have the political backbone to deport illegal immigrants today (i.e. enforce the law), they won’t do it when the “guests” overstay their welcome, either.
March 30th, 2006 at 12:43 pm
A Chance For A Better Life
This is a tough issue, emotionally charged for some, irrelevant to others and an excuse for the remainder to eagerly pull out the racism card…NYT is worried about the GOP loosing the Hispanic vote. Tom Maguire is not impressed.
March 30th, 2006 at 12:47 pm
Governors Weigh In on Immigration Debate
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty talks with Michele Norris about thei
March 30th, 2006 at 1:06 pm
Lack of political will….
Translated, roughly, that means:
a) hurting those businesses that contribute to your party financially and
b) realizing that if you spent, say, $1000 (in wages/resources) to deport 1 person, and you have 10 million illegals, that’s 10 billion dollars. And you have 500,000 more every year….
March 30th, 2006 at 1:17 pm
$10 billion, huh, Matt? Well, that’s what it illegal immigrants are costing California alone.
Sounds like you favor getting that fence built.
March 30th, 2006 at 4:37 pm
I will not be flim-flammed again. There will be a lot shouting and beating of chests. But, in the end, even if something is passed, Bush will ignore the borders enforcement just like he is ignoring it now. This issue has split the GOP wide open and you can’t put the pieces back together. I live in the Bay area so it doesn’t matter who I vote for, the Democrat will win. But I will use my money as my vote and support candidates who will (hopefully) do the right thing once they get to DC. Go Kaloogian.
March 30th, 2006 at 6:11 pm
I’m really troubled over this whole matter. I can see both viewpoints, and I haven’t decided which side I’m on. I don’t think the fence thing will work; as you state above,
So, tell me: did the Berlin Wall work? The Great Wall of China? What about the wall they’re building between Isreal and Palestine?
However, a couple of questions come to mind. Who’s going to pick the crops, wash and park the cars, clean the houses… do those jobs that no one else wants to do? And who is responsible for employing all these illegals? Anyone…?
March 30th, 2006 at 7:13 pm
“Who’s going to pick the crops, wash and park the cars, clean the houses… do those jobs that no one else wants to do? And who is responsible for employing all these illegals?”
Perhaps those who performed them before the uncontrolled influx of illegals who pushed them out of their jobs by accepting cheaper wages.
And the employers who hire them should not only be ashamed of themselves for paying such disgraceful wages, but also held accountable legally.
My question is, how can the latinos, who speak of such pride in their heritage, let these cheapskate employers get away with paying them sometimes half as much as an American worker would be paid?
In closing, here’s a statistic I heard on ABC’s World News Tonight.
“By one estimate, employers and illegal immigrants are shortchanging the federal government some $35 billion in unpaid income taxes.”
Add to this the cost of free health-care, food-stamps and welfare that is being given to many illegals, and one can see that Americans are losing much more than just jobs.
March 30th, 2006 at 8:08 pm
“First things first” and the sooner the better
… We aren’t just talking about hard-working people wanting to come here for a better life; as long as the border’s open to them it’s also open to drug runners, jihadis, and other assorted scum. After we get the border under control, using whatever…
March 30th, 2006 at 9:53 pm
I voted for Bush, I even like the guy, personally. But it makes me SO angry to hear him say that Americans wont work. That we need “guess workers” to do the jobs that are, apparently, beneath us.
Wrong, Mr. President - if we killed Welfare TOMORROW, you wouldn’t be able to keep Americans from doing these jobs.
Not to mention, how many times do we need to read about out of work American construction workers who can’t get jobs because illegals are willing to work for nearly nothing, and employers or employees alike not needing to worry about income taxes.
This absolutely outrageous. And what upsets me even more is the deafening silence about Hispanic Supremacists who want a US-Mexico War re-match!
Seriously, in what world is the Bush Administration living in when they think that Mexico’s economy is stable? And thanks to President Fox?? Is he high? If it was so great to live and work down there, why do MILLIONS toil through the southwestern US desserts to come work and live here, leaving behind all that is familiar and comfortable? Normal people don’t want to do that unless it SUCKS where they came from.
But this goes far beyond that. The reason we’ve got to do something about that is because these are not like the immigrants of America’s past–where they came here to adopt OUR language, OUR culture, OUR values. They come here, refuse to speak English, demand that official documents come in Spanish, fly foreign flags on our soil and march in the streets of Los Angeles, claiming that this place REALLY belongs to Mexico.
Don’t these Republicans who SOLD US OUT in the Senate recognize what is going on? Where is Bill Frist!? Why wont he talk to these turncoats and find out WTF is going on? This is insanity!!
March 30th, 2006 at 11:29 pm
As George Will pointed out in his recent article, the Berlin Wall did work. That’s why Ronald Reagan asked for Gorbachev to tear it down.
But even still, what is the proposal among prominent California Democrat politicians to address this issue? Fabian Nunez, Diane Feinstein, Barbara Boxer, and Nancy Pelosi all advocate doing nothing to the 11 million here illegally, and accelerating future illegal immigration. They literally see this as a huge boost in future Democrat voters. The state of LA hospitals and schools doesn’t matter, because what matters is the huge increase in votes.
March 31st, 2006 at 6:29 am
“if politicians don’t have the political backbone to deport illegal immigrants today (i.e. enforce the law), they won’t do it when the “guests†overstay their welcome, either.”
Then its up to the American voters to show them to the door.
And by “them” I mean the “guests” and the politicians.
March 31st, 2006 at 6:43 am
AthlonGuy, you nailed it. Dairenn, passionate words and opinions we share. Thank you.
As for “showing ‘them’ the door,” sounds good in principle, but in practice…
Everyone remembers the political heat and negative press heaped upon the Minutemen. And that was for simply standing along the border (e.g. guarding) to prevent illegals from entering.
Imagine the news if they began rounding ‘em up (e.g. like law enforcement should be doing), and shipping them out. As one reader emails, “Why wait? Do it before they multiply.”
March 31st, 2006 at 7:36 am
[...] Fan Mail Friday: “You are nothing but Limbaugh Lite” » The Democrats’ National Insecurity Plan » The Debate We Should Be Having» Hippies Smell » Culture of Corruption Update » Democrats’ Real Security » Nancy Pelosi Unveils Real Security, DNC-Style » Is It ‘Amnesty’ or ‘Earned Citizenship’? » Flag Of Their Fathers » Berkeley, California Is “Smartland” » Iranians Terrified by UN Resolution » State Senate Candidate Announces CRA Endorsement » The Hillary Plan to Capture Osama Revealed » Editor & Publisher Caught Spinning » Can You Hear Me NOW?? » The AP’s Misrepresentations » They Pledge Allegiance To The Flag… » Steve Jobs Pays Nearly $300M In Taxes » Silicon Money: Perks For Capitol Hill » Who’s Behind the Immigration Rallies? List all posts » [...]
March 31st, 2006 at 10:02 am
[...] Caught Spinning » Can You Hear Me NOW?? » The AP’s Misrepresentations » They Pledge Allegiance To The Flag… » Steve Jobs Pays Nearly $300M In Taxes List all posts» [...]
March 31st, 2006 at 12:33 pm
[...] California Dreamin’: Illegal Immigrants Demand Tuition Break » LAUSD: Confronting The Beast » Mexico’s Weapon » Fan Mail Friday:“You are nothing but Limbaugh Lite” » The Democrats’ National Insecurity Plan » The Debate We Should Be Having » Hippies Smell » Culture of Corruption Update » Democrats’ Real Security » Nancy Pelosi Unveils Real Security, DNC-Style » Is It ‘Amnesty’ or ‘Earned Citizenship’? » Flag Of Their Fathers » Berkeley, California Is “Smartland” » Iranians Terrified by UN Resolution » State Senate Candidate Announces CRA Endorsement » The Hillary Plan to Capture Osama Revealed » Editor & Publisher Caught Spinning » Can You Hear Me NOW?? » The AP’s Misrepresentations » They Pledge Allegiance To The Flag… List all posts » [...]
April 2nd, 2006 at 11:18 am
[...] RELATED: Is It ‘Amnesty’ or ‘Earned Citizenship’? [...]
April 2nd, 2006 at 1:22 pm
Pundit Roundtable
Hello again! Welcome back to PUNDIT ROUNDTABLE, our weekly roundup of blustering opinion. I am your host, Ken McCracken. Here are our topics for this week: Topic 1: Where do you stand on illegal immigration? Is it primarily a…
April 11th, 2006 at 7:27 pm
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April 12th, 2006 at 4:54 pm
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April 25th, 2006 at 10:09 am
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May 1st, 2006 at 11:13 am
[...] The third one is the kicker for illegal immigrants. Obviously, if you are here illegally, you are not going to have any of this documentation. So, luckily for illegal immigrants, the black market has rushed to the rescue by creating the multimillion dollar industry of selling counterfeit Social Security cards, and even entire “citizenship kits†containing, in addition to the Social Security card, a drivers license and birth certificate.* This is where the fun begins for you and me. Where do you think they get the information on these documents? Sometimes from death records or “dumpster diving†through your trash to find a misplaced piece of personal information. But more often than not, they are just made up. [...]
August 28th, 2006 at 12:43 pm
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June 26th, 2007 at 3:01 pm
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