Amnesty

[BlindSeeker]

Of late we have been hearing about amnesty for the illegal immigrants. Why do you think George Bush is doing this?

So as not to leave you hanging about my own concerns . . . could it be so that we can effectually instate a national ID for those already here?

You see what we are requiring of those entering from certain countries . . . . your thoughts?

[Guest LadyC]

i want to start by saying i support our president, in most things, and i think overall he's doing a fine job. however, there are issues on which i disagree with him. our borders, and our leniency towards and benefits for illegal immigrants are where the majority of those issues lie. i can't fathom why bush doesn't take a firmer stand on these things.

[OneAccord]

This is a loaded topic, Blindseeker, of course you probably knew that already.

Here's the headline from the Drudge Report today, outlining Bush's latest plans and prosposals regarding the immigrant labor force:

http://news.myway.com/top/article/id/12211...24;reuters.html

As for your comment about immigration being a convenient excuse for instituting a national ID, I think the 'terrorist threat' is quite sufficient for that already, but I suppose the immigration scene gives it more fuel.

Are you looking to connect a national ID with the mark? Not sure where you're trying to go with this.

I think third world trabajadores provide a cheap labor force to help boost the economy. Everyone knows that they work twice as hard for half as much. It profits the employers quite nicely. If we import enough of them we won't have to move so many factories south of the border. It's also better to offer them temporary jobs than to have to put down revolutions.

[Guest LadyC]

thanks, OA, for posting that link. i fell asleep during bush's national address.

Under his plan, illegal immigrants in the United States would be able to gain legal status for an initial three-year period if they can prove they have jobs, senior Bush administration officials said. Estimates on the number of illegals range from 8 million up to 14 million.

They would have permission to leave the country and come back as needed, and would be able to renew their three-year visas for a number of times to be negotiated with Congress, the officials said.

Officials insisted this did not amount to a blanket amnesty for illegal immigrants living in the United States and that having a job under the temporary worker program would not provide any additional advantage for obtaining permanent residency status.

so this isn't amnesty, it's a visa with an expiration date. i can live with that.

[Adstar]

thanks, OA, for posting that link. i fell asleep during bush's national address.

Under his plan, illegal immigrants in the United States would be able to gain legal status for an initial three-year period if they can prove they have jobs, senior Bush administration officials said. Estimates on the number of illegals range from 8 million up to 14 million.

They would have permission to leave the country and come back as needed, and would be able to renew their three-year visas for a number of times to be negotiated with Congress, the officials said.

Officials insisted this did not amount to a blanket amnesty for illegal immigrants living in the United States and that having a job under the temporary worker program would not provide any additional advantage for obtaining permanent residency status.

so this isn't amnesty, it's a visa with an expiration date. i can live with that.

Hey guys can I have some clarification here? Does the amnesty give these people US citizenship and therefore rights? or is LadyC right?

When I first read blindseekers post I thought it was an amnesty that would give them all citizenship. But then I thought no way those people are essential for exploitation they make too many rich people richer why give up a population of desperate workers with no rights? Almost as good as the good old days when they came from africa in chains. :alien: where is a decent angry face when you need one, SHADDOW helppppp.

[OneAccord]

When I first read blindseekers post I thought it was an amnesty that would give them all citizenship. But then I thought no way those people are essential for exploitation they make too many rich people richer why give up a population of desperate workers with no rights? Almost as good as the good old days when they came from africa in chains. :alien: where is a decent angry face when you need one, SHADDOW helppppp.

[BlindSeeker]

What do you think will happen after 1, 2, or maybe 3 children are born here during the 3 years . . . are they or are they not American Citizens?

[Guest idolsmasher]

From what I understand, they will have to apply for this special status visa and if they get it they will later be allowed to apply for citizenship. In other words, they will have to fulfill all the requirements to make themselves legal. Seems to me to be a kind of roundabout way of getting them to go legal while still providing a benefit to American businesses of cheap labour.

[Guest LadyC]

Hey guys can I have some clarification here? Does the amnesty give these people US citizenship and therefore rights? or is LadyC right?

my understanding of the article that was linked is that they are NOT being given citizenship or any other benefits other than a 3-year work permit. at the conclusion of the three years, they can reapply. but to become citizens, they still have to go through the standard process, which takes years to get through the red tape.

as blindseeker pointed out though, any children born here would have dual-citizenship. not the parents, but the children. that hasn't changed. women cross the border daily to have their children here. that practice should not be allowed.

i understand the benefits of these visas... they will be here legally, without citizenship, and will probably have to pay taxes like everybody else. that will be very helpful in combatting the problem of illegal aliens being paid under the table and taking jobs away from legal citizens of this country.

and i appreciate the fact that, according to my understanding of the article, those here on work visas would not be granted the benefits of an american citizen. i assume that means they will not be allowed to vote in our elections, they will not be able to apply for welfare, etc.

i also like the fact (and i'm sure this is a touchy subject with many) that by having the legal papers to work here, without being given citizenship, they can be tracked. in today's terroristic climate, that's a plus.

another benefit is that witnesses to crimes will be more likely to come forward with information. this has been a problem for years.

i still think the borders should be tightened, and no illegal aliens should be given drivers licenses, or welfare benefits, nor do i believe their children should be granted citizenship if the parents are here illegally. i do not believe that any illegal alien should be afforded the rights of our constitution, either. why? because they are breaking the law!

what bush has proposed, if i am reading the article correctly, is not amnesty at all. it's simply permission to reside and work here legally.

[Matthitjah]

Grace to you all,

Elimination of Borders?

Yes their children will become citizens if born here.

National ID is coming with the next major terror attack anyway. This why we need to praying a shield over our nation. A revival and turning from our idols. Far too many Christians look, think, and act like the culture.

Clearly amnesty. Yes starts as temporary work Visas. Yet what politician in his right mind will want to anger such a sizable electorate. By demanding after they have moved here and paid into Social Security and bought houses etc... that they go back. Not gonna happen.

Party politics. Kennedy did it with the Black vote in the 60's and won over a sizable minority to the Democrats for 4 decades.

Karl Rove is a cold calculating strategists. He knows some of the most populous states in the union are largely Hispanic. A large voting block taken away from the Dems.

California? Texas? Florida?

Cheap labor to fuel Corporate greed?

It has always been this way.

I pray for the Mexicans and South Americans who come here.

3 generations ago an Italian man came here looking for opportunity. He was my Great Grandfather. He faced many obstacles and fought hard thru menial jobs to make a better way for his succeeding generations. G-d Bless him!

Peace,

Dave