Immigration part 2

Part 1 was posted 12/20/11

Here are the views as I can glean them of the remaining GOP candidates as it relates to border security and immigration. The field is smaller now, as Rep. Bachman has relented. I have mixed feelings, I don’t think she was fairly represented and I am not sure we didn’t let the media sway us in her case; however any conservative must rise above the murderous and lecherous assaults of the media if they wish to be President and Mrs. Bachman was unable to do so at this time. She remains an American hero in my book but perhaps it is time to stop splitting the conservative vote among candidates who in their own belief realize it’s not their day.

Mitt Romney-

•Immigration: Yea or Nae Yea. “I am a great proponent of legal immigration… Many of you are living proof of the unique strength of America that is constantly renewed by new Americans. The promise of America has brought some of the world’s best and brightest to our shores.” September 2, 2011, speech to the Republican National Hispanic Assembly Convention in Tampa, Florida "I love immigration. I love legal immigrants coming into our country ... My guess is everybody in this room is a descendant of an immigrant or an immigrant himself. So we love immigration as Americans. Immigration brings us education, new cultures, ideas, innovative talent. It's wonderful to have legal immigration. I don't like illegal immigration." February 8, 2007; Radio Iowa News •On Amnesty Very much against. Illegal immigration has got to end and any form of citizenship amnesty is troublesome. September 13, 2007; Midland Reporter-Telegram "The idea of an amnesty-type provision is something I oppose and continue to oppose." 05/23/2007, Newsmax.com •On Legislation "Governor Romney believes more state and local authorities should work with the federal government to enforce immigration laws. This builds off of his experience in Massachusetts where he deputized the State Police to work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and enforce federal immigration laws ... Governor Romney will provide additional resources to enforce existing immigration laws throughout the nation. We cannot be serious about our immigration laws until we provide the resources needed to enforce them. " November 9, 2007, Official Press Release from MittRomney.com  "We must stop providing the incentives that promote illegal immigration… As governor, I vetoed legislation that would have provided in-state tuition rates to illegal immigrants and I strengthened the authority our state troopers had to enforce existing immigration laws." September 2, 2011, speech to the Republican National Hispanic Assembly Convention in Tampa, Florida "Let me tell you about immigration from my standpoint. I think number one, we should secure out border, and number two, We should put in place an employment verification system. And by that I mean that everybody who is not a United States citizen with a valid social security number would be expected to get a card with their name and number and some biometric information and would indicate their work status. Whether they have a visa that allows them to work here or not. And then when an employer is thinking of hiring someone, if they don't have a valid social security number, he/she ask for the card, they put the number in the computer, and the federal database immediately tells them whether they are available to be working or not. If they're not, you can't hire them. And if you do, you get the same penalties and fines as if you are not paying your taxes." A number of excellent quotes compiled by http://2012.republican-candidates.org/Romney/Immigration.php

Like with most issues Gov. Romney has “evolved” into the more conservative position as his target electorate has changed. That does not mean he is insincere but it surely asks the legitimate question. While some of his earlier statements imply a lean toward amnesty his overall gubernatorial record is not at all bad on the subject.

Of course immigration policy and border control are related issues but not the same issue on the latter Romney has said “Our country must do a better job of securing its borders and as President, I will,” said Romney in a September speech. “That means completing construction of a high-tech fence, and investing in adequate manpower and resources.”

So all in all Romney who in so many ways is the prototypical establishment guy bucks the line on immigration, in fact I recently read an article supposing Romney may be unelectable because his views on immigration mirror the sentiment of most Americans in wanting to fix the border immigration system. (I paraphrase of course) but if Romney governs according to his campaign positions we’ll have no beef with him on immigration.

Rick Santorum- Senator Santorum’s voting record on immigration is consistent, as it is on most issues. He voted against a guest worker program that would have been a code word for amnesty, voted in favor of and continues to support the border fence and all means necessary to give us operational control of the border or as the bill defines it, “physical infrastructure enhancements to prevent unlawful border entry," he supports adequate resources and funds to secure both the physical and maritime borders.

The Senator strongly opposes the participation of illegals in social security and does not believe that any guest worker program should include an expedited path to citizenship. He does believe that a reasonable guest worker program as well as some increase in legal immigration is prudent a position that is reasonable considering that the decrease in illegal immigration that Barrack Obama will boast in is the result of lessened economic activity more than any border interdiction. When the economy does resumes growth there will be an increased need for labor and as their was when the Bush economy plunged unemployment to 4%, (Obama fudges the numbers to create a false 8.5% and we are supposed to celebrate) but this is our country and we need to bring in those workers we need legally and according to our laws and customs. That is the legacy of Ellis Island where people came here legally worked hard and improved their lot with each generation. This by the way is the story of Rick Santorum’s family as well. The only softening of the Santorum position is in regards to how to penalize those who return voluntarily to their home country and file to return.

1. Ron Paul- Talk about a change of position: in 1988 Ron Paul was opposed to having an immigration policy and thought anyone who wanted to work should be welcome, with the caveat that at some point in the future a policy may need to be tightened. Clearly we are there. Today Ron Paul did vote for the security fence, though he felt the other provisions of the law more important than the fence itself. Where Rep. Paul makes the most sense is in pointing out that our current welfare state in essence subsidizes illegal immigration so it is ensured it will grow. Here’s a summary of his current views: Physically secure our borders and coastlines. We must do whatever it takes to control entry into our country before we undertake complicated immigration reform proposals.
2. Enforce visa rules. Immigration officials must track visa holders and deport anyone who overstays their visa or otherwise violates U.S. law. This is especially important when we recall that a number of 9/11 terrorists had expired visas.
3. No amnesty. Estimates suggest that 10 to 20 million people are in our country illegally. That’s a lot of people to reward for breaking our laws.
4. No welfare for illegal aliens. Americans have welcomed immigrants who seek opportunity, work hard, and play by the rules. But taxpayers should not pay for illegal immigrants who use hospitals, clinics, schools, roads, and social services.
5. End birthright citizenship. As long as illegal immigrants know their children born here will be citizens, the incentive to enter the U.S. illegally will remain strong.
6. Pass true immigration reform. The current system is incoherent and unfair. But current reform proposals would allow up to 60 million more immigrants into our country, according to the Heritage Foundation. This is insanity. Legal immigrants from all countries should face the same rules and waiting periods.

Newt Gingrich-

"I am not for amnesty for anyone. I am not for a path to citizenship for anybody who got here illegally," he said, according to The Hill.

"But I am for a path to legality for those people whose ties run so deeply in America that it would truly be a tragedy to try and rip their family apart."

The former House speaker broke with the rest of the GOP field on the issue of immigration during a debate last week, calling for a more "humane" immigration policy that allows undocumented immigrants to remain in the United States.

"I do not believe that the people of the United States are going to take people who have been here a quarter century, who have children and grandchildren, who are members of the community, who may have done something 25 years ago, separate them from their families, and expel them," Gingrich said during the debate, broadcast on CNN Nov. 22.

"I don't see how the party that says it's the party of the family is going to adopt an immigration policy which destroys families that have been here a quarter century. And I'm prepared to take the heat for saying, let's be humane in enforcing the law without giving them citizenship but by finding a way to create legality so that they are not separated from their families."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/26/newt-gingrich-immigration-gop-amnesty_n_1114025.html

As we pointed out a while back the whole concept of compassionate illegal immigration is a myth and for Newt to make the long term assimilated grandparents the cornerstone of his stance is puzzling at best. Newt’s has stated that a fence is not a magic wand and is only necessary in high traffic areas but would support building one.

Rick Perry-  Perry ‘s short lived status as front runner  took a beating, and I’ll confess I lost a lot of interest when he made the statement that if you don’t want to educate the children of illegals you have no heart. His granting of instate tuition to these children was a prime example of what Ron Paul has called the subsidizing of illegal immigration. He also opposes a 2,000 mile fence as impractical and supports more “boots on the ground” in stead. I support both. The only real strength in Perry’s position is his support for Federal opposition to the insanity that is the “sanctuary cities” for illegals.

In summary, and this is a rare statement, the only two candidates that present a consistent coherent conservative message are Santorum and Romney, with the edge to Santorum for consistency.