Newt Gingrich: ‘We are not going to deport 11 million people’
Former U.S. House speaker Newt Gingrich appears intent on keeping high-flying Republicans grounded in reality. From Politico.com:
Former U.S. House speaker Newt Gingrich
“We are not going to deport 11 million people,” Gingrich said Thursday as he kicked off his first forum on Latino issues. “There has to be some zone between deportation and amnesty.”
A possible presidential candidate, Gingrich stressed that his target of establishing an entirely legal work force is “not a call for amnesty.” Rather, he said, it’s about applying common sense to the immigration debacle.
“Dos y dos son cuatro” (two plus two equals four), he said to chuckles.
Gingrich’s comments came as he and other GOP leaders seek to step up their outreach to Latino voters, the fastest-growing constituency in the country and one Republicans have struggled to win in recent elections. Gingrich is billing his first conference — sponsored by The Americano, a bilingual website he launched last year to attract more Latinos to the Republican Party — as a step toward bringing conservative innovation to issues that affect Latinos.
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
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110 comments Add your comment
Ric
December 3rd, 2010
3:00 pm
Cliff,
If your concern is that undocumented immigrants are a “drain on public budgets,” does it really make sense to have them spend 10 years in prison where they’ll be paid for by taxpayers?
In reality, undocumented immigrants do pay taxes. In fact, on the federal level (and many times on the state level), undocumented immigrants are net contributors to public budgets. Undocumented immigrants almost always provide a net fiscal gain to federal budgets, which is one of the reasons Washington refuses to fix our broken immigration system. States with the largest undocumented populations (Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Texas, North Carolina…) typically report net fiscal gains as a result of unauthorized immigration. For example, in 2005 undocumented immigrants in Texas contributed $424.7 million more in taxes than they received in public benefits and services.
More than half of all undocumented immigrants are working on the books. Among those, more than 10% are even paying income taxes, believe it or not. Undocumented workers are paying payroll taxes, Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security taxes. In fact, undocumented immigrants contribute $6-7 billion in Social Security taxes each year that they will never be able to draw and $1.2-2.2 billion in Medicaid taxes that they will never be able to draw.
Furthermore, even most legal immigrants are severely restricted from accessing most public assistance programs. Undocumented immigrants are banned from using public assistance and welfare. Do these undocumented immigrants commit welfare fraud? Of course they do. But cases of welfare fraud among the undocumented are significantly less frequent than welfare fraud among the native-born. When undocumented immigrants do use emergency medical services, they use them much more sparingly than the native-born, consuming less than one-half the dollar amount in medical services than American citizens. Studies have consistently found that public spending on medical care for undocumented immigrants accounted for only a negligible amount of public healthcare budgets.
markie mark
December 3rd, 2010
3:01 pm
“Palin, Gingrich & McCain.. Is this the best the republicans can do? ”
This from the people who gave us Pelosi, Biden, and Obama.
missmollie
December 3rd, 2010
3:02 pm
We conservatives really need to get our act together.. Did I hear on the news today that the President is on a “surprise visit” to Afganistan??? Say it isn’t so??? Newt is one of our new governor’s chief advisors. Smart man with no scrupples….
Native American
December 3rd, 2010
3:03 pm
Have any of you heard the phrase “self-deport”? Make things uncomfortable for illegals and they will leave.
Yeah Sure
December 3rd, 2010
3:04 pm
The expense alone is reason enough to not deport all illegals. Not to mention it will look like the Nazis rounding up the Jews in the during their reign of terror.
Matt K
December 3rd, 2010
3:10 pm
We don’t have to deport 11 million illegals, the sagging economy will send them back to their home. Keep supporting the border fence defense upgrade which will thwart their return and the drug invasion too.
techengineer
December 3rd, 2010
3:10 pm
With unemployment at 10% we need to deport them all and ban all future immigration until wages begin increasing?
techengineer
December 3rd, 2010
3:12 pm
The expense alone is reason enough to not deport all illegals. Not to mention it will look like the Nazis rounding up the Jews in the during their reign of terror.
What about all the Jews rounding up the White Russians after the Red Revolution? Or the Holodomor? Ok for 10 million Russians to be starved to death by Jews?
Repub for guest workers
December 3rd, 2010
3:13 pm
I actually like the idea of a guest worker program. However, I have a twist on it that I think would appease most everyone. Too bad the politicians in Washington won’t listen.
We establish the guest worker program. We determine the number of “guest workers” that we need. I don’t care if this number is one million or ten million. We then establish a “non-deportation” period that would preclude the deportation of any illegal immigrants except for those that committed criminal acts. We could make this period for one year from the date the legislation is enacted.
We then direct these prospective guest workers to an embassy or consulate in their home country. This will be the ONLY way to apply for the program. They must pay a flat-fee to participate in the program. This could be the “processing” fee. A criminal history check will be conducted and upon approval, they can bring anyone that they get approved with them here legally to live, work, and go to school.
From there, once our year period ends, any illegal immigrant remaining in the United States will be permanently deported and barred from re-entry for ten years. In addition, they will be subject to a criminal penalty which can be commuted upon payment of a HEFTY fine.
For those that come here legally under the guest worker program, we set up a path to citizenship for those that come and become productive members of our society. After five years, if their path to citizenship isn’t in the works, we’ll evaluate their guestworker status and see if they still qualify to be in the United States.
This to me is a common sense approach that appeases both parties. First, it allows for the presence of these immigrants and gives them a legal and common sense approach to citizenship. Two, it requires that they leave the country to apply and therefore isn’t amnesty. Third, it puts stiff penalties in place for illegal aliens. Four, it gives illegal immigrants a motivation to leave and come back the right way.
Edster
December 3rd, 2010
3:27 pm
First of all the illegals in this country are already breaking Federal laws and so are the employers who are hiring them. First, let’s totally enforce EXISTING Federal laws incl severe penalties for any employer who hires illegals (incl jail time for repeat offenders). Next lets eliminate all Federal/state benefits currently provided to illegals (i.e. food stamps, education, etc). Lets also take action against “sanctuary cities” that facilitate/support illegals in this country. Next we need to remove the “birthright” citizenship carrot that induces many illegals to come to the USA to have a baby to get defacto citizenship. These measures, and other common sense steps, will result in the “SELF DEPORTATION” of the illegals who will return to their home countries when the gravy wagon stops. BTW, how do you deport 11 mil illegals – ONE AT A TIME. BTW, prior estimates were that it would cost approx $450 Billion over a ten year period to deport the vast majority of illegals. This number pales in comparison to the $2.5 TRILLION deficeit spending run up by the Obama Administration over the just last two years. I’d be willing to increase this by $450 billion if it would help solve the illegal problem in the country.
Angela
December 3rd, 2010
3:32 pm
What’s funny is how poor and middle class people still vote for these people and news flash they rich don’t care about you. I will be glad when people learn all these politicians are the same truthfully they are puppets run by elites. I just think we will soon be another third world country real soon.
markie mark
December 3rd, 2010
3:33 pm
@ Repub – that sounds like a start, but I want another piece. You have to check in with your local INS/ICE office every 90 days and prove employment. I do not want guest workers unseen and unheard from for a year at the time. You want to move from GA to California? Fine. Notify this office here, and then show up with proof of employment in CA within 90 days. No problem.
john
December 3rd, 2010
3:35 pm
Don’t say it too loudly Newtie. Your wacko following might hear you.
William McDougald
December 3rd, 2010
3:42 pm
What is the problem with illegal immigrants,america was formed and builted by illegal immigrants, When the Pligrims came here. None of them had a Passport, Visa, or Green Card, if thats not illegal immgration, what is. they came here to better themselves and did. Now that others want to do the samething, all of sudden its a problem, when will America stop being rasict, how can america tell other countries about human rights, when america treats her own people wrong
chef pierre
December 3rd, 2010
3:48 pm
Hey Newt , OBAMA got your MAMA………LOL
alan
December 3rd, 2010
3:50 pm
We don’t have to deport all 11 million, just refuse to hire them. Any employer that hires illegals should be fined. Refuse all services including education and healthcare and see how many wuill stick around.
No Teabagging
December 3rd, 2010
3:51 pm
Oh yeah Deport them all! Then watch your prices skyrocket at hotels, restaurants,and your services such as contractors, roofers, construction, landscape and other industries.
Are we really ready to pay our fellow Americans a decent wage with benefits AND pay more for goods and services???
Or would we rather keep our legal citizens on unemployment so they can deal crack?
Chuck Allison
December 3rd, 2010
3:55 pm
Just deport them. 11 million devided by 200 per semi tractor trailer truck equals 55,000 truck loads. Using 1000 trucks for a 3000 mile round trip means we could easily do it in one year. Let’s get started this evening. Next job will be to get rid of all the Hispanic textbooks and train unemployed Americans to pick our crops rather than extending unemployment benefits. That can be completed before the early spring crops come in around April 2011. I love it when a plan comes together.
TG
December 3rd, 2010
4:04 pm
Rick, Illegal doesn’t just mean entering the country illegally. There are plenty who are here who entered the country legally but do not go home, including ones from Europe who are here merely via passport. Expired student visas, work visas failure to reapply for green cards, etc.
BitterEXdemocrackkk
December 3rd, 2010
4:06 pm
Newt is a lieberal in republican clothing…sorry Newt you just lost the rejuevenated bits of support I had for you…with that statement, you are NO longer qualified to lead.
Ric
December 3rd, 2010
4:09 pm
Yes, TG, that accounts for more than 40% of the undocumented immigrants in the United States.
gm
December 3rd, 2010
4:10 pm
DogGoneLiberal :divorce, abortion, crime, unemployment, out of wedlock:
Oh I guess Sara Palin daugher did not have a babby out of wedlok? I guess white communities dont get divorce?
This is why conservatives are labled hyproctrites.
Why should minorities follow the Rep party? Rich whites Rep, dont like poor middle class whites, how long will Beck, Hannity, Sara Rush, pimp poor middle class whites?
tpike
December 3rd, 2010
4:11 pm
FAIR TAX
jconservative
December 3rd, 2010
4:11 pm
The last president to do anything about immigration and illegals was Reagan. And his solution was to grant amnesty to 2.8 million illegals.
And it worked.
Would you like to try the Reagan solution again?
Would you like to just say Reagan was a moron?
Chuck
December 3rd, 2010
4:12 pm
He just lost my support.
James
December 3rd, 2010
4:25 pm
Newt,
I believe you would pimp out your own mother for a chance at the Oval office.You lost my vote. Sorry we need less of your kind of politician and some real public servants .
takeourjobs.org
December 3rd, 2010
4:33 pm
they are begging lazy ass entitled white WWE – lovin americans to come out and pick some veggies during harvest… so far I’m told there are less than 6 takers in 6 months.
who’s gonna feed your lazy white asses?
Orange09
December 3rd, 2010
4:37 pm
He must have been drunk again.
muggymug
December 3rd, 2010
4:38 pm
Newt you are a complete jerk. Our government refuses to enforce its own laws. A sad day.
joe
December 3rd, 2010
4:41 pm
11 million my arse. It’s at least 20 million.
Joe the Plutocrat
December 3rd, 2010
4:43 pm
classic! throw “send ‘em back” red meat to the nativists, but “we’re not going to deport you” carne roja when stumping for the Latino vote. que bueno! this defines the very essences of the “immigrant” issue; arguing about the issue is far more profitable (politically) than resolving it, which means it’s really not an issue to politicians beyond the electorial math.
Last Man Standing
December 3rd, 2010
4:46 pm
gm:
“This is the same idiot who lead the march to get Clinton impeached but cheating on his own wife.”
The movement for the impeachment of Clinton was NOT for cheating on his wife. The impeachment was correctly called for because Clinton committed perjury in his sworn testimony.
We are doomed by both
December 3rd, 2010
4:56 pm
NEITHER party is going to do a darn thing about illegals in America. The republicans not only want to get some of the latino votes, they also need to protect their soul mates—big business. Big business thrives on cheap illegal labor. The Dems have to be politically correct, so they are not going to do anything about immigration. We the people are screwed. Oh, and the person who wrote that the illegals do not soak up the money in social programs–have you visited your local charity lately? go to MUST in Canton and see who is in line for handouts. Also go visit the health clinic or any ER. Open your eyes.
Glass House Rocker
December 3rd, 2010
5:07 pm
Typically money earned in a community ‘turns over” about 5 times through local purchases. Each purchase usually collects State and local sales tax. The illegal immigrant population sends billion of dollars directly out of the USA annually. Does Mr. Gingrich have an estimate of how much tax revenue has been lost to local and State governments over the past 15 years just by this procedure? It has to be in the billions. This is in addition to the failure to collect Income Tax.
If anyone uses a fake id–social security number, etc. that person is committing a crime. If someone uses a social security number belonging to another person–i.e. a legitimate social security number–that person is guilty of identity theft. You try it and see what happens.
I have observed this population “working”. Their work is slipshod and they seem to spend more time on a job by seeming to “work hard” but accomplishing very little. I have watched them “dry in” houses whose frames were soaked by a week’s worth of rain.
I have talked to people in north Georgia. During the building boom, developers brought in Latino labor in favor of local carpenters and masons. The locals were essentially put out of work–for awhile. The original work was so shoddy that the new owners had to hire the locals to correct all the problems in the new house.
In a few years we might very well see the USA is the same circumstance as Mexico–except it took over 500 years to bring Mexico to its current state. The school system is overburdened and being wrecked.
I consider myself a liberal in the old fashion sense. Even John Kerry said that the employers should be held accountable when they hire illegal–oops, non documented, right Mr. Gingrich?–immigrants. Amnesty should not be a consideration. We have to require our government to correct this situation–and soon.
Que Pasa
December 3rd, 2010
5:10 pm
I’d like to see the border jumpers deported but Newt’s right, there’s neither the will nor the capability to do it.
So here’s my soloution. Give all persons in the U.S. illegally one year to self-declare with a guarantee that they won’t be deported if they complete a period of meaningful, supervised community service and pay a fine. At the same time extract a sizeable payment from Mexico, say $25 billion, in exchange for not having to take back millions of underclass uneducated peons who would be a drag on their economy. The illegals who remain covert in the U.S. after a year would be aggressively hunted and deported upon discovery.
cs
December 3rd, 2010
5:15 pm
if newt had did his job in the house, there wouldnt be 11 million plus invaders here. he nor any other candidate will get my vote with any amnesty….or defeatism talk.
Asheville Dawg
December 3rd, 2010
5:16 pm
techengineer
You are an idiot. Are saying all the red communists in Russia were Jews who persecuted the “white Russians” ? Why don’t you learn history instead of creating it on the fly?
Maybe you need to trade in those sheets, Bubba.
missmollie
December 3rd, 2010
8:09 pm
You know there really is a simple solution: 1) Give the illegals
90 days to go home; 2) Fine the employers $5,000 for each one in their
employment. The problem is not these hard working people, it is the ones who want the cheap labor. I inderstand that Hall County has the most??? Also arrest them by county and use they as free labor in
exchange for food and shelter…
td
December 3rd, 2010
8:54 pm
Do not deport any illegals. Fine all companies that employee illegals, $5000 per hire for the first offence, $20,000 for the second offence and $50,000 all other offences. If the company is a sub contractor for a large corporation then fine the corporation as well the same amounts.
This will bring in money to the economy and if the illegals can not find work then they will go home on their own and we will not have to deport any of them.
the original and still the best John Galt
December 3rd, 2010
9:27 pm
Palin Gingrich 2012- has a certain ring to it, doesn’t it? Actually it’s the two chairs of the Barak Hussein Obama 2012 Committee.
Drew in Cobb
December 4th, 2010
2:10 am
Newt is puke….. and this in folks…….He is not the smartest man in the Republican Party……He just runs his mouth about things until he thits on one you like then folks calls him smart… no just a smart Axx.
muggymug
December 4th, 2010
4:14 am
If Newt had 11 million ex-wives, I bet he’d want ‘em deported.
federal offense = illegal
December 4th, 2010
6:59 am
a federal offense = illegal.
§ 1325. Improper entry by alien
(a) Improper time or place; avoidance of examination or inspection; misrepresentation and concealment of facts
Any alien who
(1) enters or attempts to enter the United States at any time or place other than as designated by immigration officers, or
(2) eludes examination or inspection by immigration officers, or
(3) attempts to enter or obtains entry to the United States by a willfully false or misleading representation or the willful concealment of a material fact, shall, for the first commission of any such offense, be fined under title 18 or imprisoned not more than 6 months, or both, and, for a subsequent commission of any such offense, be fined under title 18, or imprisoned not more than 2 years, or both.
missmollie
December 4th, 2010
8:32 am
It is said that Georgia has more illegal immigrants than Arizona;
over 600,000…Cheap labor is what is driving it. Go after the employers NOW…start with Hall Conty first (chickens)….then onion, peach and watermelon growers, if you really mean business…Also, lawn/
grounds maintenance.
You people are suckers
December 4th, 2010
11:41 am
The best part of this is looking at all the right wing comments on this blog expressing disappointment. This guy is the creator of the modern Republican strategy for winning elections. In this case, express outrage about illegal immigration, say you’re against “amnesty” and “illegal is illegal” during the campaign. Accuse the duly elected President of the United States of having a “anti-colonial mentality” (which I presume is supposed to mean he hates white people, since being a white person with an “anti-colonial mentality” is what George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, etc. were). Milk bogus questions about whether Obama is an American citizen to rev up the base.
Now that the election is over, go in front of a Latino group and say we can’t deport all illegal immigrants. Two months ago, if Obama or Reid or Pelosi had said exactly that, Newt and his ilk would have been out attacking the Democrats for wanting to have a nation full of (not white) illegal immigrants.
You right wingers are proof that P.T. Barnum was right: There is a sucker born every minute.
UrbanGrounds | Cost/Benefit Of ILLEGAL Immigration
December 4th, 2010
3:25 pm
[...] course we will have to endure the groans and moans of the political animals, such as Newt Gingrich, as well as the weepy uninformed liberals, such as the LA-LA [...]
sochi
December 4th, 2010
5:20 pm
А! وستكون هذه صفحة ويب رائع ، كنت قد تكون مهتمة في القيام مقابلة بشأن مدى أنشأته ذلك؟ إذا كان الأمر كذلك البريد الالكتروني لي!
eatmotacos
December 4th, 2010
6:22 pm
The majority of voters are either lower or middle class – to be successful, politicians, by necessity, have to convince a a portion of this group that they will represent their interest.
The upper class understands this, and it is a given that the politicians will talk out of both sides of their mouths. On the occassion that a politician actually attempts to follow through on promises made, it only requires a threat of retaliation(swift boating) to bring him back into line. Thus, the successful politician(Democrat or Republican), in the end, will always represent the interest of the upper class.
It is humorous to watch the lower class be convinced, and even push for political actions, that clearly, only benefit the upper class.
JDW
December 4th, 2010
9:41 pm
The apocalypse is near…Newt said something that actually makes sense.
Get Real Newt
December 5th, 2010
10:40 am
Hey Newt. Do you really think America can afford another 9 billion a year to pay for 11 million ILLEGALS to go to college and push our American children out? Where in the name of common sense do you reside? Get a grip and forget about running for President. We need a candidate that can WIN!