Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Immigration Reform and the GOP
The Wall Street Journal thinks the Republican Party has a lot to lose if immigration reform is not achieved:
Immigration reform stayed alive in the Senate yesterday, albeit not without continuing rancor among Republicans. Restrictionists seem to believe the issue will harm the GOP if it succeeds, but we think the political reality is closer to the opposite: The greater danger for Republicans is if it fails.
We've written often about the merits of immigration reform, and we have our own problems with parts of the Senate bill. But it's worth spending some time on the larger politics of the issue, especially for Republicans. They're caught between a passionate minority of their party -- who oppose any reform that allows illegals a path to citizenship -- and the larger electorate, which is more moderate and wants to solve the problem. Like Democrats on national security, this is a classic case in which pandering to the base will harm the GOP overall. Click here for the rest of the piece.
bh
https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/immigration/2007/06/immigration-ref.html
Comments
The leftest myth promulgated by wishful thinkers out of touch with reality: "They're caught between a passionate minority of their party -- who oppose any reform that allows illegals a path to citizenship -- and the larger electorate, which is more moderate and wants to solve the problem."
The the truth is that the vast majority of Americans recognize this bill for what it is, comprehensive amnesty that will only reduce illegal immigration on the border by 25 percent, and will increase illegal immigration by visa overstayers by 12 percent, for a total reduction of 13 percent (Congressional Budget Office data).
From the 4 June 2007 Congressional Budget Estimate showing that, http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/81xx/doc8179/SA1150_June4.pdf
In contrast, the enforcement and verification requirements of the legislation would act to reduce the size of the U.S. population. CBO estimates that implementing those requirements would reduce the net annual flow of illegal immigrants by one-quarter, reducing the projected population by 1.5 million people in 2017 and by 3.6 million people in 2027(including the effects on citizen children). Other aspects of the legislation are likely to
increase the number of illegal immigrants—in particular, through people overstaying their visas from the guest-worker and H-1B programs. CBO expects that the enforcement measures and the higher number of overstayers would, on net, diminish the number of unauthorized immigrants by about 500,000 in 2017 and about 1.3 million in 2027.
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And open to fraud at that. This from the Washington Times:
'Amnesty' fake papers pledged in wiretap
By Stephen Dinan and Jerry Seper
June 27, 2007
ONLINE EXCLUSIVE:
The head of a Mexican forgery ring was convinced he could make phony documents that illegal aliens could use to indicate fraudulently that they were eligible for a new amnesty, says a government affidavit recounting wiretapped phone calls the man made.
Julio Leija-Sanchez, who ran a $3 million-a-year forgery operation before he was arrested in April, was expecting Congress to pass a legalization program, which he called "amnesty," and said he could forge documents to fool the U.S. government into believing illegal aliens were in the country in time to qualify for amnesty, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent said in the affidavit.
In recounting a wiretapped telephone conversation, ICE agent Jason E. Medica said he heard Mr. Leija-Sanchez tell an associate the forgery ring could "fix his papers" to meet the requirements of a legalization program such as the bill the Senate is debating today.................. http://washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070627/NATION/106270081/1001
To sum up, this bill doesn't significantly reduce illegal immigration, but provides a pathway to citizenship for the undeserving and encourages contempt for U.S. laws and sovereignty.
Posted by: Horace | Jun 27, 2007 7:46:53 PM
Here is how you solve this crisis…..Number one you pass a law that gives all illegal immigrants 120 days to register and or leave the country. If the people are acting and living 5+ years in the USA like citizens they will be granted citizenship. If they are temporary workers they must register for a green card and carry it at all times and follow all laws. At 120 days any child born in the USA to an illegal citizen will be illegal too! At 120 days if any illegal immigrant is caught all USA citizens or people or business or government employees or agencies giving each of them safe harbor or support will be fined $5000 dollars too. The following will be charged $5000 fine for any help given. Landlords, Employers, Banks, DHA Government offices, Hospitals, Any government agency, Lawyers, Restaurants etc. etc.…..anyone who gives any support will pay a $5000 fine. One immigrant could stack up fines of $100,000 based on everyone involved. See you have to take away the reasons for coming here and they will go home and not come here! You must fine the behavior that is supported by our own citizens….all fines will pay for the transport and jailing or deportation and programs for all immigration activities and enforcement….no tax dollars for this program! Watch how fast these people leave this country…..and your problem is solved!
Obewan
Posted by: Lew Orban | Jun 27, 2007 10:51:08 AM