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Bush Slams Conservatives On amnesty For Illegals Act
The Big Dubya's popularity with me is taking a bit of a nose dive over the McKennedy Amnesty bill, more properly known as the Immigration Reform Act of 2007.
It is being reported that Bush has said that any reference to this legislation is scare-mongering and empty rhetoric. He has also said that the immigration system is in need of reform.
Earth to Dubya: the immigration system is in need of enforcement!
One of the biggest problems with the proposed legislation is that it will begin temporary "Z" visas to illegal aliens the day it is signed into law. It also requires that only about half of the fence (or wall, barriers, etc) be completed. These so called visas for illegals will be available BEFORE even that little bit of border security is completed. Add to that the fact that the documentation that can be used to "prove" that an illegal alien was in country prior to January 1, 2007, are easily counterfeited and you have a system designed, by intent, to allow millions more illegal aliens to be on the path to permanent residency than the 12+ million already here.
When Ronald Reagan authorized the first amnesty program in 1986, there were provisions in it that specified that our borders would be secured so has to eliminate the influx of aliens across our borders. The borders were never secured. The amnesty was also supposed to be a one time deal, and the proof required to receive legal status was far more stringent, including having to be able to prove that any given individual had resided in the U.S. for more than five years.
Whether or not we implement a program to put the over 12 million illegal aliens currently living within the United States is one thing. It may be the right thing to do. Hard to say, and my crystal ball is not currently working. However, doing so without first securing our borders, North as well as South, is to court an additional influx of aliens intent on participating in the proposed program.
Legal immigration has always been a part of our nation's history, as well as playing a significant role in its future. The legal path places many hurdles in the path of those who seek to come here, including criminal background checks and health checks.
With the advent of millions of people entering our country illegally, bypassing these checks, we suffer increased crime rates as well as a resurgence of diseases that had previously been eradicated from the United States, including tuberculosis.
I don't have a problem with establishing a guest worker program, or even granting "Z" visas to illegal aliens wishing to stay here if first we secure our borders before any such visas are issued, and second, that they pass ALL security, criminal and health checks that people who have sought entry to our country have had to undergo.
My two cents, for what it's worth.
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