Upcoming immigration reform – here we go again

Political leaders in Washington have been again discussing immigration reform, and it looks like the group from the Legislative Branch is getting ahead of President Obama and his upcoming suggestions by getting a proposal out there.

No time for a review, but you can find more information this morning at Hot Air and Big Government.

A day before President Barack Obama is due to reveal his own immigration proposals in a speech in Las Vegas, NV, a bipartisan group of eight senators has announced a deal on the “outlines” of an immigration reform deal, according to Politico. The “Gang of Eight,” which includes Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who has led the push from the Republican side, had been at work for weeks and unveiled its compromise on Capitol Hill today.

The deal includes several measures to improve border security, a core Republican demand, while also providing a “path to citizenship” for the 11 million illegal immigrants currently in the country, a core Democrat demand, with priority given to “Dreamers”–children who were brought to the country through no action of their own. The Senate proposal will also streamline the nation’s complex and contradictory immigration laws.

Don’t be surprised if the Obama administration picks this apart, complaining about the measures to improve border security.

I’m curious as to what you think…

If there are 11 or 12 million illegal aliens in the United States, do they really have an incentive to join the system and become American citizens? Do they really want to be American citizens or will they just go through the motions?

I expect many millions will just ignore this legislation and remain illegal since it’s working for them and they do not want to be Americans. Do we start forcibly ejecting those illegal aliens after – let’s say – four years?

Your comments…

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Steve McGough

Steve's a part-time conservative blogger. Steve grew up in Connecticut and has lived in Washington, D.C. and the Bahamas. He resides in Connecticut, where he’s comfortable six months of the year.

32 Comments

  1. Dimsdale on January 28, 2013 at 9:14 am

    Howsabout some immigration ENFORCEMENT before we tinker yet again on immigration reform?
    ?
    The? repetitive “path to citizenship” is just a slow motion invasion.



  2. SeeingRed on January 28, 2013 at 10:13 am

    What do I think?? I think that Republicans have been beaten like a drum on every issue, every time.? This issue potentially opens the floodgates of 11 million more Democrat votes in the relative near-term.? That Rubio is involved is great, but he’s not Superman.? Border security?? How about CLOSE them and enforce this first vs. opening the ‘path to citizenship’ first?? We know Dems will NEVER close the borders, any promise to do so is a canard.
    Democrats always talk about ‘compromise’ but it seems like every deal they’re involved with has R’s giving up something BIG with Dems giving up nothing in the near term, and nothing ultimately.?? We don’t have much left to give.? So no, I do not trust this ‘deal’ and haven’t even seen it yet….



  3. JollyRoger on January 28, 2013 at 3:37 pm

    We’ve got fascism! The media & Obama tell us they’re undocumented, now they’re “dreamers”… Try ?being an undocumented shopper or gun carrier! ?Go undocumented with the IRS for a while… ?If there was equal protection, illegal aliens would think about getting in line and coming here legally.



  4. JBS on January 28, 2013 at 6:39 pm

    This is a slap in the face to everyone who has naturalized legally or is in that process. Everyone here has good points. Why just give anyone citizenship? Especially when they haven’t worked for it.
    ?
    I say enforce the laws as they stand. If this was any other country, you would be hunted down and deported. Here, the Democrats want to give citizenship away for the votes.
    ?
    Republicans keep giving away the store!
    ?
    ?



  5. lizzieswish on January 28, 2013 at 8:22 pm

    I agree that we need to look at current laws and enforce them, supporting our border patrol agents and those who have come here legally. ?I am in favor of making some modifications for the “Dreamers”, like helping them with education and then letting them apply formally to stay here. ?But let’s not feel that everyone should have the rights of an American citizen. ?Let’s demand ID’s at the polls.



    • Lynn on January 28, 2013 at 9:26 pm

      Ok, Lizzie, I buy it. If I understand the proposal there are fines involved and they must prove themselves before they ?gain citizenship. i definitely want IDs at polls. I am with the gang of eight and Marco Rubio continues to win my support. ?I love the fact they beat the Prez to the punch. It will make him the bad guy for once.



  6. stinkfoot on January 29, 2013 at 3:36 am

    I can certainly comprehend possible long term political implications of importing new liberals when they want taxpayers to fund birth control and abortions of the resident liberals- which seriously cuts into the numbers in the next generation to be brainwashed.



  7. yeah on January 29, 2013 at 1:28 pm

    I look forward to the USA splitting up, just so long as the progressives get their own country and are barred from inhabiting the real USA.



    • JBS on January 30, 2013 at 8:23 am

      Isn’t that what Long Island is all about?
      ?



    • Dimsdale on January 30, 2013 at 11:05 am

      It will be like North and South Korea.? No need to tell you which will be which….



  8. JollyRoger on January 30, 2013 at 2:03 pm

    I wish liberals would self-deport! Don’t like religion, guns, cheap beer and people who listen to AM radio? ?Want to have a messianic leader who everyone loves and agrees with- the sort of leader whose passing elicits silly looking sobs of grief everywhere you look… ?Move to North Korea! ? On another note, to where might a conservative self-deport? I want running water, automatic weapons with no licensing, and no neighbors within 3 miles?
    ?



    • Dimsdale on February 1, 2013 at 10:21 am

      Self deport to the “utopias” they strive to emulate?? They aren’t that stupid.



  9. kateinmaine on January 30, 2013 at 4:58 pm

    not keen on cheap beer–not looking good for me. . .? back to topic.? this is not really a question of immigration–it’s an opportunity to refine definitions.? immigrants are traditionally people who come willingly to a place that they want to be, seeking better opportunities.? they willingly participate in and embrace the society/culture of their adopted home.? they bring needed skills, work hard in productive, legal pursuits that benefit their families, communities and the country as a whole, while meeting their obligations.? they respect and abide by the laws in effect.?? there are many people who meet this definition, even today.? but there are many more who do not.? if you come here illegally, you are a criminal.? if you come here to take advantage of the generosity of the american people by feasting on entitlements, you are a parasite.? if you came to be here by virtue of your parents bringing you under less than statutory conditions and haven’t made your own attempt to comply with the law, you are no less a criminal than your parents.? that said, why shouldn’t immigration policy benefit the nation?? strong, secure borders.? enforced laws and penalties.? select from the most industrious, setting quotas for…



  10. kateinmaine on January 30, 2013 at 4:59 pm

    workers/education/skill sets that we need.? return to the concept that citizenship is a privilege, not a right–something of value.? how novel.? the dividends realized from this sort of ‘investment’ will outperform stimulus and q.e. numbers–not just now, but for generations to come.



  11. sammy22 on January 30, 2013 at 6:31 pm

    Still not a solution to what to do about the millions of illegal aliens already in the country.



    • kateinmaine on January 30, 2013 at 7:52 pm

      how do you figure that?? prosecute and/or expel.? indenture them until they pay back what they’ve stolen.? if you want to get medieval, terminate them.? but the easiest way to eliminate the problem is to deny them the basics.? no job.? no healthcare.? no education.? no food.? no housing.? apply existing laws.? if you allow amnesty for illegal aliens, why not for rapists and murderers?? isn’t the behavioral insidiousness on par?



    • Steve McGough on January 30, 2013 at 8:22 pm

      I’m pretty certain this idea won’t work as expected, but I can not comprehend how you translate “providing a ?path to citizenship? for the 11 million illegal immigrants currently in the country” into “Still not a solution to what to do about the millions of illegal aliens already in the country.”



  12. sammy22 on January 30, 2013 at 11:41 pm

    With all due respect to kateinmaine, I’d like to hear what kateinmaine et al. have in mind to do about the children who have been brought into the US when they were 1, 2, 3, 4, 5…. years old. The same children who have gone have to school, graduated etc. etc… who are as “culturally” American as any other child born and raised in the US.



    • kateinmaine on January 31, 2013 at 10:16 am

      already covered that sammy–those kids carried in illegally know that they are illegal–if they don’t, they sure as heck can find out.? having ‘graduated’, they are old enough to apply for citizenship on their own and should go through the process just the same as if they made the decision to come here independently.? it’s not rocket science–it’s bureaucracy.? and it’s the law.? ignorance of the law is never an excuse.? society has determined that breaking the ‘implied social contract’, which is the law, requires punishment, not reward.?? going through the designated process seems a small price to pay for someone who is ‘culturally american’, but not legally, otherwise law-abiding/industrious/productive and who really wants to stay.? they can work off fees and penalties just like student loans.?? but it has to be time defined.



  13. JBS on January 31, 2013 at 8:11 am

    They can apply for citizenship just like any other alien who either wants to come here or is already here legally. Why do you want to discount the efforts of your government to legally naturalize millions of aliens. Would you have them go away? 4.5 to 5 million people are on the path, with all of its many requirements, to legal citizenship.
    I know a few people who have made that extraordinary effort. They are intensely proud of their attainment. Rightly so. Yet, you advocate spurning the legal path, well established, proven to produce naturalized American citizens, for GIVING citizenship to people already here, illegally — do you even understand that concept? — so they can more easily get benefits and become Democrat voters?
    Do, at least, admit that you want to add to the Democrat voters roles!
    How would any other country handle this?



  14. sammy22 on January 31, 2013 at 11:43 am

    Great! It sounds like both of you support the DREAM Act, which has not been passed, though proposed more than 10 years ago. And, no need to lecture me on immigration: I did it the hard way.



    • kateinmaine on January 31, 2013 at 12:11 pm

      nope–advocate that they do it the hard way, just like you.? that’s only ‘fair’, right?



  15. sammy22 on January 31, 2013 at 12:16 pm

    So you’d deport them first? Then they apply for a permanent visa?



    • JBS on January 31, 2013 at 4:54 pm

      Again . . . I support legal immigration. That the aliens are already living here is a fact — giving them citizenship, to swell the Democrat voting roles, is plain wrong. Having worked to gain citizenship, you, of all people, should realize that the legal path to naturalization is the only right path! Or, did you gain citizenship through one of the many amnesty programs?
      By the way, this is a Democrat dodge to keep everyone from discussing the 25 +/- million unemployed people in this country. That is certainly a more important topic to discuss. Shouldn’t we be helping them first?
      ?
      So. What would you do?
      ?
      ?



    • Dimsdale on February 1, 2013 at 10:25 am

      Absoulutely.? Right to the back of the line, behind the people that are doing it the legal way.? Streamline that process if you wish.? The ones that are here have already benefited unfairly.?
      ?
      They would really learn to appreciate what they have here.



  16. sammy22 on January 31, 2013 at 10:59 pm

    JBS, EVERYBODY is for legal immigration. Thanks also for your support for motherhood, apple pie and the American way. Supporting legal immigration does NOTHING to attempt to solve the problem of the illegal immigrants already in the country. Another dodge on your part! And thanks for the slap about how I might have gained citizenship. I still have the passport on which an American Consulate stamped my permanent visa. But why should you believe that?. Like Lynn, I support the DREAM Act.



    • Dimsdale on February 1, 2013 at 10:31 am

      Why wouldn’t everyone be for LEGAL immigration, which really has little to do with this discussion.? You make it illegal to hire them, with onerous fines (like $19K/illegal/day), and scrap all the freebies that the Democrats love to hand out for their support, like the so called “DREAM” act.? Let them leave the way they came in, and apply to become citizens legally.
      ?
      In other words, they should “pay their fair share” by entering the country the fair and legal way.? How do you think all those equally (or worse) impoverished people feel in countries where they can’t just waltz across the border and pretend to be U.S. citizens?? How is this process fair to them?



  17. JBS on February 1, 2013 at 8:12 am

    Touchy, touchy. Congratulations, by the way!
    BTW, the DREAM Act is not law, it was never passed by the Congress. Obama wants to have everyone think it is a law, but it is just another Democrat fiction. Wonderful of you to support provisions of the DREAM proposal, though.
    So, how about all of those 23+ million unemployed, etc. and, not to be forgotten, the estimated 5 million people in the process of naturalizing as American citizens??
    Those illegal immigrant — illegal immigrants, it does bear repeating — are already here. Would you have them jump the line to be in front of others who are going through the legal way? If so, why are they more deserving that others?
    BTW, Obama let his Jobs Panel expire. Perhaps that is the source of the talking point emphasis on immigration. He doesn’t want unemployment and? jobs to be noticed. And, you are carrying water for the regime.
    ?



  18. sammy22 on February 1, 2013 at 11:50 am

    Since the history of immigration has been and still is chiefly about importing cheap labor, I wonder how the simplistic solution of? “rounding them up, and sending them back (where?)” would play out on the US economy.



  19. JBS on February 1, 2013 at 4:16 pm

    I wouldn’t like to “round them up and . . . ” I’m not sure where you are getting that?
    My only stake in the discussion is that while the emphasis is on illegals, specifically providing not only a path separate and distinct from legal immigration, it deprives all of the millions of American citizens who are out of work, can’t work enough — stuck in low paying available jobs — are having their hours cut because of ObamaCare, aren’t able to work in a chosen field, or are never going to advance in their employment, from being part of the discussion.
    This regime has a tough time dealing with the consequences of their policy objectives. Around election time, there was campaign speeches promising a “laser focus on jobs.” Pure bloviating. The regime’s response? Ignore the jobless and conjure up another something else for the media to focus on. To wit: illegal immigration. Put lipstick on the pig and call the cause celeb de jour DREAMERS.
    There is a distinction.
    ?



  20. sammy22 on February 1, 2013 at 5:23 pm

    The post is about what to do about the 11-12 million illegal immigrants. Either you keep them in the US or you deport them (somewhere). Dims seems to want to deport them , kateinmaine seems to be leaning that way. I have already stated my position and you don’t seem to want to state one on what to do with the millions that are already in the US. Am I correct so far?



    • JBS on February 2, 2013 at 11:44 am

      You really have the bit in your teeth on this one!
      Once again, let illegal, alien immigrants apply for citizenship just like any other alien who wants to be an American citizen.
      Why are you so keen on deporting anyone? Too costly and not efficient — don’t even go there. However, any alien engaged in criminal activity and so adjudicated,? should be deported. Clear enough?
      This is a perfect example of how you are doing the Democrat‘s bidding by prolonging this discussion. It sucks the air out of other discourse. There are many, much more important things to discuss, if they interest you.
      If you are still unclear about anything, re-read above.
      ?
      Goodbye.
      ?



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