I’ve flagged the pathway to citizenship (even more so than other forms of legalization) as the critical issue in the immigration debate.
Granting citizenship to adults who came here illegally is horrible policy which historically has proven a huge carrot to increased illegal immigration regardless of the rhetoric about how it never will happen again.
There was a time when even Marco Rubio understood this.
Democrats don’t care about the policy. Democrats openly (at least when speaking among themselves) tout the pathway to citizenship as a way to obtain more Democratic voters. There is little if any dissent on this point, and Democrats are sticking to it as a breaking point with good reason:
In meeting, Democrats say path to citizenship is a must http://t.co/NyBPPy3kLG
— Allahpundit (@allahpundit) July 9, 2013
Citizenship is the political game, set and match. The rest is just details.
In the Senate, at least, 14 Republicans agree with the Democrats.
National Review and The Weekly Standard have a joint editorial today Kill The Bill, which makes many good points against the Gang of 8 bill, but skirts this core citizenship issue (h/t Power Line):
We are conservatives who have differed in the past on immigration reform, with Kristol favorably disposed toward it and Lowry skeptical. But the Gang of Eight has brought us into full agreement: Their bill, passed out of the Senate, is a comprehensive mistake. House Republicans should kill it without reservation.
There is no case for the bill, and certainly no urgency to pass it. During the debate over immigration in 2006–07, Republican rhetoric at times had a flavor that communicated a hostility to immigrants as such. That was a mistake, and it did political damage. This time has been different. The case against the bill has been as responsible as it has been damning.
It’s become clear that you can be pro-immigrant and pro-immigration, and even favor legalization of the 11 million illegal immigrants who are here and increases in some categories of legal immigration – and vigorously oppose this bill….
Passing any version of the Gang of Eight’s bill would be worse public policy than passing nothing. House Republicans can do the country a service by putting a stake through its heart.
Only a small number of Republicans, such as Ted Cruz, are willing to address the issue of citizenship head on.
It’s time for Republicans to address the citizenship issue, or risk losing the game, set and match.
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Comments
The basic line hasn’t changed: Border security first, consider the rest after.
It’s like we’ve abandoned the rule of law in favor of a minority that wishes to “feel good.” When we toss our core principles aside, the “path” to self destruction commences.
I’ve lost all but the faintest hope that someone somewhere will appear and save the day and our way of life. This is not a high confidence assumption.
Who’s gonna step up???
Sarah Palin.
I don’t think so but I think that she’d make an excellent cabinet secretary. Ted Cruz would be my first choice perhaps with Allen West as VP. What a contrast as compared with the current pair of clowns currently in charge..
Trey Gowdy. Ted Cruz. Ron Johnson. For some who can make the case.
how dare we proles question the “wisdom” of our betters?
for shame. we should care more about kim kardashian’s butt or something, shouldn’t we?
they need to seriously think about the net effect this policy (and anything else labeled “comprehensive reform” or “commonsense”) will have on the other 800 pound gorilla in the room: obamacare. they think it’s bad now…..
the republicans are pretty worried about being compared to jackbooted germans asking to see papers. democraps seem to be of the mind that we’re all “world citizens” or something, so it shouldn’t matter. besides, they know what’s best for us. just ask them.
there is an easy fix for the border issue, in my mind. i’m a 287g immigration deputy in my department; I suggest making an equivalent law that marshals up the border counties and makes a percentage of the LEOs there border agents, working hand in hand with DHS. this bolsters the numbers of available agents, enforces the border and makes it harder to cross, does not significantly increase any federal funding, and makes local agencies more of an increased presence within their communities’ vulnerable border zones. as this program would be federally trained with local guys who KNOW the area and the people, it would work. I reference the outstanding success of the 287g program as proof.
of course, that will never do. /sarc this argument is akin to trying to stop water from leaking from a sieve without plugging the holes.
how one can ever reasonably expect, much less DEMAND, citizenship in my country when ignoring and disrespecting the most basic laws of legal residency is beyond me. how our elected representatives don’t understand that literally hurts my brain.
Many months ago, I read about all the Spanish-speaking government employees hired so that illegals could be assured of getting their Social Security benefits.
Plus the huge tax return scandal for EITC payments to illegals.
Recently, there’ve been articles on ObamaCare coverage for illegals under the amnesty.
Today, I read that the bill pardons employers who knowingly hired illegals. It’s a three-fer: employers get to skate after exploiting illegals for cheap labor, illegals get credit for the years worked (and probably the checking/verification will be minimal so many will get far more credit than they earned) and citizens get screwed out of jobs they could have had plus get dinged for more taxes to pay for all of this.
The Republican party is committing suicide in front of our eyes. Of course, in the near future I expect Dems to be crowing over their strategy of cross-over primary votes to make John McCain and other RINOs the face of the Repubs, so the Repubs definitely had “help”.
No citizenship for people who have violated the law. Period.
But, they are not illegals. They are undocumented Democrats.
No citizenship ever. Better yet, deport them all. Put a bounty on their heads. Put an armed military or armed volunteers on the border.
Stop pussyfooting around. Drastic measures are called for.
Of course it is all a scam to grant citizenship to as many current illegals as possible, who will then vote for more government (Democratic).
The “enforcement” provisions are all wispy and high-sounding, but subject to waivers, goals, and certifications that essentially defang them completely. The bill comes with two “free” misdemeanors – which can include drunk driving convictions – and more can be waived by HHS. Not acceptable.
The border is also important, but is only a small portion of the entire “enforcement” problem. We need mandatory e-Verify right away, it has been tested and works, no need for more testing. We need some sort of track & trace procedure on visa entrants, especially tourists and students. And we need to deport those who commit crimes while here.
Real reform also means changing the family-chain basis for legal immigration. We should welcome new immigrants who have the skills we need for the future, and the means to hit the ground running. We don’t need dozens more on welfare rolls just because they have a relative here already.
Democrats, naturally, will never agree to any of this. Their intention with this amnesty is to inspire the next wave of illegals from south of the border with the promise of more amnesty in 25-30 years.
Good point, if the last five and a half years should have taught us anything it’s what happens when you have a chief executive who is willing to abuse their discretion over which laws they choose to enforce.
Don’t have the votes to grant an amnesty for illegal aliens who were supposedly brought into the country as minors? Just refuse to enforce the law for anyone up to the age of 30 and say that you’re “doing it for the children.”
Worried about what will happen in Virginia when defense contractors fulfill their legal duties to notify their employees that they may be laid off because of spending cuts? Tell them that if they agree not to tell their employees until after the 2012 elections that you’ll indemnify them from any suits.
Worried about the effects of the ObamaCare employer mandate on job hiring? Just delay its implementation until after the 2014 election.
Is there any reason to think that any promise of enforcement in the future will be kept?
There must be a reason why they are adhering to a progressive ideology. They are either facing intransigent competing interests or are misrepresenting the democratic leverage they enjoy. Either way, they cannot initiate an outright revolution, and instead sponsor progressive corruption, dysfunction, and displacement in order to compensate for their weakness and advance their political, economic, and social standing.
I’ve always believed that a good question for a debate (presidential or otherwise) would be …
What does citizenship mean to you ?
Given that so many things, including governmental services, are not dependent on citizenship, just what do citizens get for the privelege of paying taxes ?
I would expect the answers to be illuminating.
I can’t see any need for a new law if they refuse to enforce the old one.
What would be the point?
The only point I can see in a new law is the pork-fest associated with passing it. Presents.
So far as border security goes, I think that is one of the reasons we have a US Military, and they should be in charge of it. It should never be a political football.
But there is a point: “Look, squirrel”.
Rather than admit they haven’t enforced the last law, they pass a new one they won’t enforce–but it gets them past the next election.
Maybe this will help: The illegal pipeline of immigrants spilling onto the environment is spoiling our ecosystem. Global warming will also ensue do to immigrants using unintended energy.
We just dont want an ObamaCare Immigration Bill.
Obamigration….
No amnesty unit Obama is removed from office. He doesn’t obey the laws that we have not let alone new ones.
Illegal immigration and helping illegals must be a serious felony with years of prison time.
Amend the constitution to remove the anchor baby clause.
Change the immigration law so you can’t bring your relatives here.
Dedicate a large portion of the FBI to hunting down illegals.
For the first year any illegal who surrenders to law enforcement, admits guilt will receive a suspended sentence and deported. If the come back they will go straight to prison.