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Home Front: Politix
Nelson wants to stem illegal immigrants
2005-09-29
Responding to what he identified as a major constituent concern, Sen. Ben Nelson said Tuesday he will propose a crackdown on illegal immigration. Nelson will introduce legislation designed to help secure U.S. borders by increasing border patrol agents and improving surveillance. His bill also would toughen penalties for employers who hire illegal immigrants and require automatic deportation of any illegal immigrant who commits a felony.

“We need to try to stop the flood of illegal immigration and give law enforcement officers the tools they need,” the Democratic senator said.

Nelson’s bill does not directly address how to handle millions of illegal immigrants already in the United States. “We’ll deal with that later,” he told a telephone news conference from Washington. The first step, Nelson said, is to “stop digging the hole.”
Interesting order of planned events. It would make the problem easier to manage.
When asked how his bill compares with immigration reform legislation previously sponsored by Sen. Chuck Hagel, his Republican colleague, Nelson said: “I don’t have any amnesty.”

Neither does Hagel’s plan, said Mike Buttry, the senator’s spokesman. “Senator Nelson must be confused how Sen. Hagel’s bill worked,” Buttry said. “It was not amnesty. Senator Hagel agrees with President Bush on this issue.”

Hagel recently met with senior White House staff members to discuss immigration reform, Buttry said. Hagel’s plan provided a pathway to legalized status for illegal immigrant workers and their families already in the United States. They would need to comply with a list of requirements and pay a $1,000 fine.

Nelson said not a day goes by when he is in Nebraska that a constituent does not voice concerns to him about illegal immigrants. Most of the questions he fielded during a recent statewide radio call-in show focused on the issue, he said. Nebraskans have expressed concern about related tax obligations, the effect on health care costs and quality education, the impact on the job market and the threat to national security, the senator said.
Posted by:SC88

#8  Most likely there will be a version of the Guest Worker proposal stuffed in the collective shute of the Americans.

And probably complete with the ability for the "guest worker" to import family members of all stripes via petition/sponsorship...
Posted by: Bomb-a-rama   2005-09-29 22:40  

#7  "...automatic deportation of any illegal immigrant who commits a felony."

One would think that would already be the law.

BTW- The GOP will never allow the Democrats to annex the Illegal Immigration issue. Most likely there will be a version of the Guest Worker proposal stuffed in the collective shute of the Americans. And tighter border security will be used as the proverbial reach-around.
Posted by: DepotGuy   2005-09-29 16:16  

#6  HA ha!
Posted by: Nelson   2005-09-29 09:29  

#5  Nelson will introduce legislation designed to help secure U.S. borders by increasing border patrol agents and improving surveillance.

Since the Bush administration has refused to hire and fill the increase already authorized, why does anyone believe more bills for more agents will result in anything beyond another token ten or twenty at one spot ever showing up.

It's called cost avoidance stupid! Let one big one sneak across the border and you're political dead meat. Those who are mollifying the effort to secure the border will be road kill along with all the idiots who've gone along with them. The Dems will kill you with "Why the hell are we fighting in Iraq if the Republicans can't even secure the border here!". Dead meat I tell you.
Posted by: Spirong Phavinter9038   2005-09-29 09:27  

#4  I agree, that's exactly why these people "Vote with their Feet" to become "Norteamericanos"
Posted by: Redneck Jim   2005-09-29 01:06  

#3  I'd rather Mexicans stayed in Mexico. We need people who are willing to be Americans like the rest of us.
Posted by: Bomb-a-rama   2005-09-29 00:53  

#2  I think this "Legal, Illegal Immigrant thing is a real annoyance.

Let's try something entirely different, open the US-Mexican border to all, then shortly when Mexico is near empty, just annex the territory formerly known as the United States Of Mexico, and move in.

It should be much easier to defend the former Mexican southern border, it's much smaller.
Posted by: Redneck Jim   2005-09-29 00:45  

#1  Neither does Hagel’s plan, said Mike Buttry, the senator’s spokesman. “Senator Nelson must be confused how Sen. Hagel’s bill worked,” Buttry said. “It was not amnesty. Senator Hagel agrees with President Bush on this issue.”

Okay, how about calling it "stealth amnesty"? After all, that's what is really is, isn't it?

Hagel’s plan provided a pathway to legalized status for illegal immigrant workers and their families already in the United States. They would need to comply with a list of requirements and pay a $1,000 fine.

And there you have it. Amnesty with a price. Might as well spit in the faces of those who chose to go the fully legal route.


Posted by: Bomb-a-rama   2005-09-29 00:26  

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