Posted by Tina
Jeb Bush, considered one of the likely contenders for the GOP for 2016, has co-authored a book addressing the illegal immigration problem. “Immigration Wars” is likely to stir the amnesty debate due to a shift in his position regarding immigration law. Bush originally supported amnesty for the millions of people that have entered the U.S. illegally. But in a decisive shift he now suggests an alternative solution.
Byron York at The Washington Examiner has the story:
Under Bush’s proposal, “those who entered our country illegally as adults and who have committed no additional crimes of significance” would be required to “plead guilty to having committed the crime of illegal entry.” Upon pleading guilty, they would be sentenced to a fine or community service. If anyone who is here illegally — even those who have not committed any “substantial crimes” — does not come forward, Bush and co-author Clint Bolick write, they would “be subject to automatic deportation, unless they choose to return voluntarily to their countries.”
Once an illegal immigrant has pleaded guilty to illegal entry and paid a fine or performed community service, Bush and Bolick write, “they will become eligible to start the process to earn permanent legal residency.” To do that, they will have to learn English, pay taxes, and again, commit no substantial crimes.
Then comes the surprise, at least a surprise coming from Jeb Bush: “Permanent residency in this context, however, should not lead to citizenship. It is absolutely vital to the integrity of our immigration system that actions have consequences — in this case, that those who violated the laws can remain but cannot obtain the cherished fruits of citizenship.” Even those immigrants who had a compelling reason to come to the U.S., Bush argues, “did so knowing that they were violating the law of the land.” Giving them a path to citizenship would be a “reward for conduct that we cannot afford to encourage.”
There are two exceptions to his plan. Those who agree to return to their native land and go through the normal process would be eligible for U.S. citizenship and those who came to the U.S under the age of 18 can be eligible for permanent legal status without pleading guilty to illegal entry if they finish high school or join the military.
York reports here that Bush has turned a bit squishy since the book hit the streets. Apparently his training as a politician has taught him to leave the door open for negotiations in case he does choose a run at the presidency.
His plan does address some of the big concerns that conservatives have voiced repeatedly through the years and for that I think he deserves big time KUDOS. The illegal aspect has been ignored and those concerned about law breaking have been maligned for their positions and that is not how we make progress to find what might work.
So, what do you think guys?
Jeb needs to go home and stay there. He, in my opinion is campaigning for a possible run in 2016.
I am tired of the same people in the limelight.
We keep losing elections, time for new faces.
No more McCains, Romney, Bush, and etc. 🙁
sorry, had to rant.
Harriet your rants are always welcome here!
I would also like to see the Clinton name retired.
But the election is still in the distance. I’m more interested in what you think about his idea: Legal status (in the form of a renewable work permit?) but not citizenship for those that have entered the country illegally but they must admit to breaking the law and pay a fine/community service. Then if they do want to become a citizen they must return to their country of origin and jump through the usual hoops. Criminals need not apply in either case.
I think it’s better than what we do currently…deporting in hit and miss fashion, no admitting guilt, sending them off to the feds where they are often let go and returned to our streets without admitting guilt or receiving a consequence.
What do you think?
Jeb Bush explained his position last night in an interview on Hannity. He said that it would only encourage more illegal immigration if we do not have a punishment for coming to this country illegally. The pathway to citizenship should be reserved for those that followed the rule of law. I agree with this approach. By giving the ones that came here illegally a path to citizenship it diminishes the value of coming here lawfully. I kmow of several people that waited eight years or more before they could come to this country. The other point that JB brought up was that after the the 1980’s amnesty program, many more came to this country illegally hoping for the same treatment. It is time we truly enforce the laws of this land.
I agree that we need to do something. The pathway to citizenship should be through a lawful approach.
Jeb Bush’s plan sounds ok, but we better close the border first, as in now! The cost of illegal immigration is huge, with medical services, education,
welfare of some sort,
How will we enforce the rules for citizenship? They have already broken the law, I do recognize we have to do somehting, we cannot deport so many people already here.
If we had gotten serious when GWB was president we would not have so many here now. They are here for more than “Picking Lettuce”.
I am not in favor of paying for them while they are here.
When my husband was becoming a citizen, his uncle sponsored him, both had to sign a contract that he would not apply for, or accept any benefits from any tax paid entity except emergency medical, he also had to prove he was working ands if he committed any crime he would be immediately deported and his uncle would have to pay restitution.
With these people now we give them monthly checks and more.
Back to that, are we? Always looking for somebody else to blame your problems on.
No, darlings. It’s not the brown people; it’s YOU who are the problem.
I will concede to Jack one point in his previous “sequester” diatribes. The monies curtailed thereby are peanuts.
The real problem is Jack … and his doctors’ appointments.
But we don’t REALLY want to talk about that, do we?
Libby you’ve got to be kidding. What problems? what blame? What planet are you on?
What problem exactly do you imagine are “we”?
Is it really a problem for you that we believe the rule of law is one of the very important elements in a civil society? Is it really a problem for you that we want our immigration policy to work well and not just for Americans but for those who want to work or seek citizenship honestly…by lawful means?
This is not an issue that has anything to do with color and you know it. You just love to turn that race crank…and create a distraction, change the subject.
What is it Libs…subject too difficult?
Human Events has a story about A German Couple seeking Assylum here with their 6 children, they are christian and want to home school, in Germany that is a jail offense.
They were allowed here in 2008, now Obama Administration wants them sent back to Germany saying “No right to Home achool”.
They are not a burdeon financially here whatsoever, he is a concert pianist and supports his family in that manner.
Obama, though thinks it is just fine for illegals to stay.
Harriet if only we could deport socialism and wash our shores of the entitlement is better attitude!
“Obama, though thinks it is just fine for illegals to stay.”
Actually, no … per Politifact:
“If you instead compare the two presidents’ monthly averages, it works out to 32,886 for Obama and 20,964 for Bush, putting Obama clearly in the lead.”
But don’t let any of these inconvenient facts deter you in the airing of your prejudices.
I was intrigued by the German family, however, because I know that Germany is very strict about public education, being very sensitive to any re-awakenings of problematic political theologies. After reading the family’s complaints, though, they do sound a little vague and somewhat hysterical, and not meriting asylum. They gotta go back to Germany and get a green card like everybody else. The Home Schoolers Defense whatnot can sponsor them.