What’s the GOP plan for illegal immigrants?
Over the weekend, the Senate refused to pass the DREAM Act, which would have put no more than a million young illegal immigrants — potential model citizens — on the path to legal status. As I wrote recently:
Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) has called the bill a “reckless proposal for mass amnesty.” It is nothing of the sort. It’s a narrowly tailored measure that would apply only to people under the age of 30, who came to the U.S. before they were 16, and who’ve lived here at least five years. The vast majority of them were brought to this country by their parents when they were too young to know anything about immigration laws.
The legislation requires them to complete two years of college or military service and to abide by other laws to be eligible for a ten-year conditional residency. Because of its requirements, immigration experts think that about 800,000 illegal immigrants would ultimately be eligible.
After ten years, DREAM Act beneficiaries could apply for permanent residency. After five years of permanent residency, they could apply for citizenship.
That series of steps — at least fifteen years before citizenship, according to DREAM Act provisions — gives the lie to the claim that beneficiaries could become immediate sponsors to their undocumented family members. They couldn’t. Besides, any family member who came here illegally has to go back to his country for ten years. That’s 15 years before an undocumented mother or father has a prayer at U.S. citizenship.
Previously, Republicans such as Orrin Hatch and John McCain were sponsors of the DREAM Act. But, deferring to their nativist constituencies, they walked away from it.
So, here’s the question: What’s the GOP plan for the 11 million or so illegal immigrants already here? Do they plan to round them all up and deport them? If so, at what cost — financially and spiritually? If we were to attempt such at thing, it would cost hundreds of billions. Are we prepared to pay that? Are we prepared to witness armed federal agents breaking down doors to drag children out of their homes?
GOP officials continue to insist that the US must “secure its border” before they will consider any sort of immigration reform. Here’s another question: What’s the definition of “secure border”? President Obama has presided over a record number of deportations, far more than were carried out under President Bush.
He has also Increased border patrol agents. According to PolitiFact,
The 2011 proposed budget, for example, includes $94 million to expand the number of Customs and Border Patrol officers — putting the country on target to reach Bush’s goal of 20,000 officers. Between 2007 and 2011, the Border Patrol budget increased from $2.3 billion to $3.6 billion. The budget for inspections at ports of entry increased from $1.8 billion in 2007 to $2.9 billion in 2011. In addition, Obama’s proposed 2011 budget calls for $1.6 billion for customs enforcement programs to identify and remove illegal aliens who commit crimes; and $137 million to expand immigration-related verification programs.
If that’s not good enough, Republicans need to let the country know, specifically, what they plan to do about illegal immigration.
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518 comments Add your comment
Atlanta Native
December 21st, 2010
10:13 am
The simple plan:
1)
Keep up the good fight!
December 21st, 2010
10:14 am
Markie…yes, AZ is just flowing in money and jobs. Why look there is another opening on the death panels and the governor telling people to ask the federal govt for more money. Are you counting the headless bodies in the desert that keep popping up?
Do you have a reliable source for your claims or just making it up? Any analysis?
ButtHead
December 21st, 2010
10:14 am
The problem with the liberal left and CT is they don’t understand what “Illegal” means, so here it is, it means you have broken a law of this country and you should be punished not rewarded. But the Obozo administration rewards failure with tax dollars, just look where the TARP money went. Only people making millions got TARP money, how odd….But the GOP makes way too much sense for a liberal to understand, secure the border then deal with the problem, otherwise you are putting a band aid on a severed jugular. Another point is why should “Illegal aliens” jump to the head of the line of the people who are following the laws?
retiredds
December 21st, 2010
10:15 am
Cynthia, since GA has so many Republicans as our representatives ( and I use the latter term loosely), I would like to see you present these questions to them and ask them to publicly, in print, to answer them one by one. It would make for interesting reading.
I also think it is time for them to answer to all Georgians their political decisions, not just those who voted for them.
Keep up the good fight!
December 21st, 2010
10:15 am
native…that is definitely simple. lol
markie mark
December 21st, 2010
10:17 am
how can getting rid of illegals cost the state? I will be happy to look at your numbers, but no Granny, I will never agree with you on this subject. I dont get to pick and choose the laws I have to follow, and no one else should. I believe a guest worker program is the way to go, not the dream act…what about the other points? Reasonable military service, like a normal citizen signs up for? what about NV being sued by Obama and Holder for espousing what most of the left complain about?
markie mark
December 21st, 2010
10:17 am
and how did the cookies come out ?
markie mark
December 21st, 2010
10:18 am
2nd change of subject – anybody heard from USinUK? is she sitting in Heathrow somewhere, havent seen her on here….
cosby
December 21st, 2010
10:18 am
Get over it..There is a right way to enter the USA and an illegal way. Illegal is just that, against the law. the Federal Government’s main function is to protect the boarders which it is not doing and is even suing Arizona for doing so. That being said, look at the cost of illegals draining the health care system, putting extra burdens on the school systenms, infiltrations of Latino gangs into the streets. they also take jobs that US Citizens do not want while the taxpayers pay for them not to work, troubling. Rossevelt, Truman and Eisenhower all rounded up illegal immigrants to provide jobs for returning GI’s, so what is the problem. The authorities do not have to break down doors, just have the authority to check legal status on a ongoing basis and ship them back home with a big invoice for expenses to the Mexican government. Or, perhaps we should also parden bank robbers if they agree to be good. This entire argument is ridicules.!!
markie mark
December 21st, 2010
10:20 am
Keep…the Nevada law was discussed on here a couple of weeks ago – both stories were in the AJC and I quoted the AJC extensively at the time regarding NV….as to the AZ, I assume you are referring to the count of 100,000. I will have to try to search for the source, but I read that about 3 or 4 weeks ago…I read “the Week” weekly, AJC cover to cover daily, nights its ABC news and FOX. Not sure of that source right now, will try to find…
Brad
December 21st, 2010
10:21 am
Racism is as racism does.
Atlanta Native
December 21st, 2010
10:21 am
The simple plan:
1) All illegals get six months to leave the country. Advertise on all media. Deadline is strict
2) Build a large processing center along the US/Mexican border
3) Allow guest workers to enter freely after screening for background – initial 1 year pass given
4) After one tear with no arrests, proof of insurance and proof of paying US taxes, new permits issues at 2 year intervals
5) If after 6 month period, still here or fail to renew worker pass – harsh punishment plus deportation
7) Make compliance over a period of years a pathway to citizenship
This way they get to come here and work. This way we do not reward illegal entry. This way we can weed out the criminals and such and let the majority of good people come in. They can do the jobs that the “progressive” voters would rather receive welfare for than do. The US gets the benefit of hardworking and industrious foreigners who seek the American dream and they start a path to citizenship, if they want it. Nowhere near to need of jackbooted thugs rounding them up, just give incentives to legal admittees to turn them in.
Maya
December 21st, 2010
10:22 am
Hum, I’m not a Republican but dead set against Dream or any other bills to reward ILLEGALS. I don’t care what party you are in, if you reward ILLEGAL aliens I will do everything in my power to see you don’t stay in office. Everyone really knows that Dream was a gift of “special rights” for Latinos to get their vote. Yes there are others groups but Dream was for them. Rewarding ILLEGAL behavior creates more ILLEGAL behavior! If we had 300,000 ILLEGAL aliens in our country that would be a serious problem. The reality is we have between 12 – 30 million ILLEGALS in our country. That is more than a problem, it is an INVASION and a danger to our culture and way of life. There is NO diversity when you flood a nation with one group of people!
markie mark
December 21st, 2010
10:22 am
and Keep, even though you were sarcastic, I was making a valid point. If the reporting is true regarding the illegals leaving AZ, then we should be hearing crying about no one to fill all those jobs. It is one point of the left, is it not, that no American would do these jobs? Thats why I asked, and I DID ASK, if someone had seen a mention of labor needed…..
Del,
December 21st, 2010
10:25 am
The pandercrats see illegal Hispanics as a potential voting block that would help keep their worthless butts in office. Getting elected/reelected is all that’s important to left wing politicians.
ronald
December 21st, 2010
10:26 am
“Over the weekend, the Senate refused to pass the DREAM Act, which would have put no more than a million young illegal immigrants — potential model citizens”
I’m going to cut you off right there, Cynthia. You can’t be both ILLEGAL and a “potential model citizen” at the same time. Breaking into our country, whether alone or with your family disqualifies you from “potential model citizen” status. Cynthia, you are a total clown.
markie mark
December 21st, 2010
10:26 am
Sorry Granny….
The study was commissioned by The Center for American Progress, a progressive organization that opposed the bill.
I would treat this info about like you would if I quoted FOX…..aint happening…
markie mark
December 21st, 2010
10:27 am
wow, no bias there, huh?
markie mark
December 21st, 2010
10:31 am
and NOT ONE of you has bothered to comment that it is Obama and Eric Holder that are suing Nevada….CT, do you have the nerve to comment or support that from your dream of a president? Isnt this what I see over and over, “the republicans should go after the employers”?
joe
December 21st, 2010
10:32 am
Yes, the GOP does need a plan, but to CT’s point:
“Do they plan to round them all up and deport them? If so, at what cost — financially and spiritually? If we were to attempt such at thing, it would cost hundreds of billions”
I doubt it would cost hundreds of billions…but it would be expensive to do…but then again, so it the billions in taxpayer dollars we’re spending on their food stamps, section 8 housing, health care, kids education, etc. So, take that money and use it to deport those who have any sort of criminal offense, then grant amnesty to those who are here, able bodied and are already providers, contributing to our tax base. If they are not contributing and are just birth machines, deport them.
lester
December 21st, 2010
10:32 am
If there are any hispanic immigrants on this site that aren’t real citizens, please know that you are not welcome in the U.S. and we are doing everything in our power to have you deported. We are tired of paying for your free health care in our emergency rooms and we are tired of you sending your spanish speaking kids to our kids’ classrooms which slows down learning for everyone. We are also tired of the crime you’ve brought to Gwinnett County and the drug problem that you’ve exasperated in all of metro-Atlanta. Just pack up your bags and go back to Mexico and leave us the h*ll alone.
ronald
December 21st, 2010
10:33 am
+1 for Lester.
TheAtleeAppeal
December 21st, 2010
10:33 am
CT, what do you think our officials in Washington should do to curb illegal immigration? The DREAM Act was nothing more than an attempted reward to the parents who illegally brought their kids into our country with giving them a path to citizenship that did not require going back through the borders.
I propose: Cut off the supply of what it is that brings these people to illegally cross our border. Make it illegal for companies to hire illegal aliens. Make it illegal for landlords to rent out homes to illegal aliens. Make it illegal for illegal aliens to attend schools. Make it illegal for illegal aliens to receive ANY and ALL forms of government help. If you take away the supply, there will be no demand. Once that is implemented, these illegals will have nowhere to go but back to their respective countries. This would keep the costs of deportations much, much lower as one can imagine many of these people would deport themselves. Please tell me of another country that bends over backwards to accomodate people who knowingly and willingly violate its immigration laws…
Keep up the good fight!
December 21st, 2010
10:36 am
Markie…yes ther are estimates that 100,000 have left because of the new AZ law. However that has not help AZ much on its budget and there is a great deal of concern about what will happen when the economy recovers or if this will impact the recovery of AZ. There is also the cost to legal immigrants and citizens who are the subject of discrimination.
But this really does not relate directly to DREAM as a start toward real solutions,
granny godzilla
December 21st, 2010
10:39 am
markie mark
I know where the study came from silly! I asked that you verify it on your own.
You may note I quoted Fox News earlier in this post. They aren’t always wrong, but again I verify everything. It’s very rewarding to
find the truth.
Zillette# 2 is doing the cookies this afternoon..I’ll let you know!
Common Sense isn't very Common
December 21st, 2010
10:42 am
markie mark@10:06 am
I agree with you on everything but need to clarify something
“by the way, H1B visas shall only be issued when it is deemed the employer could not first find an American citizen of the required skill.”
The visas are being issued without that requirement being met.
The recruiters that try to skirt that part of the law are mostly of the same nationality as the people they are recruiting.
Mala Cori
December 21st, 2010
10:43 am
Cyntia…Agian..Boring..Boring..Boring….All Americans welcome legal immigration (GOP/non-GOP)..there is no question about that. But rewarding people for illegal activity…PLEASE STOP!… I used to be a liberal/democrat, but the party has just gone looney. We need a ‘common sense’ party where people think for themselves and use logic to make a case for something.
And yet...here you are
December 21st, 2010
10:44 am
The GOP does not care to discuss such things when they are in power. We just had a 2 termer who did absolutely nothing regarding illegal immigration during a time when our borders were at highest risk! It’s not like his predecessors -Bush I and Reagan- paved the way or anything. The GOP is FULL OF IT. If it aint about cutting taxes for the rich or inflating military spending (read: lining their big business buddies’ already heavy pockets at the expense of our soldiers’ lives) they could really care less
Grob Hahn
December 21st, 2010
10:44 am
There is no logic to this issue. On the face it’s simple, they are here illegally, they need to go. ALL of them. And no, it’s not “impossible” to deport millions of illegal border jumpers AND their offspring. This is what makes Americans SO mad. When outsiders come in and twist the very meaning of our statutes into a perversion that doesn’t serve Americans at all. In most cases it takes advantage of Americans and reduces the benefits for people who actually belong here. There is no country on the planet that allows this. Why us?
Grobbbbbbbbbbb
Waldo
December 21st, 2010
10:45 am
“Record number of deportations” – do a little fact checking Cynthia – Obama administration tweaked the numbers to produce this result (with fun little tricks like declaring 14 months = a year)
Cynthia=HUSSY
December 21st, 2010
10:45 am
Hey, people are out there breaking speeding laws everyday. Lets get rid of that law too!
J Moore
December 21st, 2010
10:48 am
This is a no brainer. Ship these mofos back to wherever they came from. BTW, don’t let the lying CT fool you. Remember ther Marxists first advocated passing Medicaid for “children”. Then as soon as Obozo got in office, they extended benefits to the “kids” parents. I hope people don’t let this happen again. Again as the “kids” get citizenship–guess what. They will be able to drag their families along to citizenship also. I say send them ALL back now!
The Educated One
December 21st, 2010
10:49 am
Bottom line: America already has a process to citizenship. Get in line behind the people who are doing it correctly. Otherwise, you get shipped back to where you came as you do not respect our laws!
Enough Said!
ronald
December 21st, 2010
10:50 am
+1 for J Moore. Obama’s soft stance on immigration is another vote grab for the Democratic “Big Tent”. They are basically adding anyone to their ranks, criminals included.
Finn McCool
December 21st, 2010
10:51 am
Funny thing is-
Republican voters want illegals out of here and walls put up.
Republican money donors need those illegals here to keep their wages low and keep their bottom line as high as possible.
Who do you think will win this? Hehehehe. Why do you think the Republicans talk big before elections and then ALWAYS fall short of ACTUALLY doing something?
Ayn Rand was right
December 21st, 2010
10:52 am
The current administration is so worried about home grown terror…maybe if they closed the open boarders we could focus on the real enemies…nah, they vote D.
Finn McCool
December 21st, 2010
10:53 am
you get shipped back to where you came as you do not respect our laws!
Said by a person who has never driven over the speed limit, rolled through a stop sign, etc, etc,…..
Death of the Dollar
December 21st, 2010
10:53 am
I urge firing squads for illegals, just line em up and shoot em down, like the criminal scum they are, always have been, and always will be.
Mike R
December 21st, 2010
10:55 am
Once again Cynthia slanting the real issue to make Republicans look like they don’t want children to get an education which is so far from the truth. HERE IS THE ISSUE FOR ALL YOU BONEHEADS OUT THERE!!!
DO YOU KNOW THAT IF DREAM ACT PASSED THERE WOULD BE AN ENOURMOUS AMOUNT OF ILLEGALS FLOODING INTO THE COUNTRY TO GET THEIR CHANCE TO AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP. IT WOULD BE NICE IF WE LIVED IN A PERFECT UTOPIAN SOCIETY BUT THE REALITY IS THAT ILLEGALS DAMAGE OUR COUNTRY IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS. TO START WITH MOST ARE VERY POOR SO THEY ARE WILLING TO TAKE ANY JOB AND ACCEPT BEING PAID NEXT TO NOTHING. ALSO, VERY FEW OF THEM ACTUALLY PAY INCOME TAXES SO THEY REAP ALL THE BENEIFTS THAT LEGAL AMERICANS DO WITHOUT ACTUALLY PAYING A DIME. (THE DEMOCRATIC WAY!!) ALSO, WHEN A CITY HAS AN INFLUX OF HISPANICS IT DESTROYS THINGS FROM PROPERTY VALUES TO LOCAL BUSINESS. I SEE THIS IN THE AREA I LIVE, CERTAIN PARTS HAVE BECOME LITTLE MEXICO AND ALL THE STORES HAVE GONE OUT OF BUSINESS AND TURNED INTO A MEXICAN GROCERY STORE OR SOMETHING OF THE LIKE. THIS IS ONLY A FEW EXAMPLES OF THE DANGER ALLOWING MILLIONS OF ILLEGALS INTO THE COUNTRY. TAKE A LOOK AROUND YOUR TOWN, DO YOU THINK THAT YOU NEED MORE HISPANICS RUNNING AROUND?? IT WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE A PERFECT SOCIETY WHERE ANYONE COULD JUST COME IN AND BE A PART OF IT BUT THAT’S NOT REAL LIFE!!
As usual Cynthia only tells a part of the story, never gives the whole thing!!!
Mala Cori
December 21st, 2010
10:55 am
I went to a friend’s immigration ceremony several months ago and was brought to tears by the event. Over 250 people were sworn in as American citizens and over 150 countries were represented. It’s not just Mexicans and Hispanics that want the America dream. There were people from Haiti, Bosnia, Ethiopia..etc. Cynthia: You should really attend one of these ceremonies and you will change your tune I’m sure. The process to immigration is lengthy, but possible. We have a legal immigration process and hundrend’s of thousand of legal immigrants become citizens everyday. I don’t believe we should reward short cuts. I work 8-10 hours everyday to make a living, but it sure would be easier if I robbed a bank every few years instead. Amnesty and the Dream act are not the answer.
Death of the Dollar
December 21st, 2010
10:56 am
Home grown terror is the Fed printing trillions of dollars out of thin air to bail out ny fat cats like JPigMorgan and GoldmanSlackers. When the dollar dies, and it will, all Americans will find out what it really costs to live our bloated lifestyles.
And yet...here you are
December 21st, 2010
10:57 am
Flinn McCool: EXACTLY why you will only hear the GOP TALK about illegal immigration. Whether they want to admit it or not, they benefit much more than the dems, as illegals cannot VOTE, but they CAN work for $2 an hour! SMH…
Mary Elizabeth
December 21st, 2010
10:58 am
I would like to recommend the Spanish film, “Sin Nombre,” which describes the travels of those illegal immigrants who have tried to come to America illegally. I am not advocating for their illegal choice, but I am saying that the film puts a human face upon them. Most knew that they were going to die in Central America or Mexico by even attempting to come to America.
The Dream Act seems like a fair and humane plan to me.
lynnie gal
December 21st, 2010
11:00 am
I wish America could trade some fellow Americans for more hispanic people. They are hard working, polite, decent people from what I can see. (Some) Americans are rude, lazy and untrustworthy. Let’s make a deal!
And yet...here you are
December 21st, 2010
11:00 am
I’m a liberal AGAINST the DREAM Act, and there are many others like me. But of course it’s great to make sweeping ASSumptions, after all, hasn’t “liberal” become a slur of sorts? Nice
HDB
December 21st, 2010
11:01 am
lester December 21st, 2010
10:32 am
Question: would you have such hostility if the immigrants came across the Canadian border and were of a lighter shade?? Because those numbers have assimilated into the nation unbeknownst to the majority, those aren’t conversed about on the same level!!
@ronald: -2….
Have you forgotten about the wet/dry policy? Are you so preoccupied about Hispanics that many forget about those illegals from eastern Europe that have overstayed their visas…or who came across the Canadian border? What to do about them???
John Galt
December 21st, 2010
11:01 am
If CT says there are a million of them, there are probably at leasy @ million- 95% or more of which are Democrat voters.
They really believe that we are as stupid as they try to portray us.
TheAtleeAppeal
December 21st, 2010
11:01 am
Finn McCool,
You are correct. Us Republican (I’d more accurately label myself as a Conservative) voters are adamently opposed to illegal immigration. For the longest time, the Repubican party has been extremely soft on illegal immigration as not to “offend” anyone. We have a large new group of actual conservatives heading to the House in January. Right now, the economy is priority numero uno. We’ll see if they are as conservative regarding illegal immigration as they are on economic issues.
granny godzilla
December 21st, 2010
11:01 am
Mary Elizabeth
“The Dream Act seems like a fair and humane plan to me.”
Me too, can’t see why compassionate conservatives don’t…
Mala Cori
December 21st, 2010
11:01 am
My biggest concern with the Hisapnic nations is that they don’t govern their own countries responsibly. Insead of focusing our efforts on picking up after their government’s incompentecy, shouldn’t we putting pressure on those country’s to be self sufficient? Shouldn’t Mexico be pressured to ’spread the wealth’ of their economy and take care of their own people? They are a Christian nation, so shouldn’t they be held responsible for taking care of their mothers and children?