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HOME > PUBLICATIONS > Exclusive: Amnesty for Illegal Aliens in the Works – Again

March 19, 2010

Exclusive: Amnesty for Illegal Aliens in the Works – Again

Pam Meister

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Congress just doesn’t give up. Despite the American people having made their wishes known quite clearly back in 2007, yet a new plan to legalize illegal aliens is in the works.  
 
The long-awaited framework, written by Sens. Charles E. Schumer, New York Democrat, and Lindsey Graham, South Carolina Republican, calls for illegal immigrants to be put on a path to citizenship and would create a temporary program for future foreign workers. Maybe most contentious of all, it would turn all Social Security cards into tamper-proof IDs.
 
[snip]
 
The senators said their legalization approach would be a "tough but fair" program that would require illegal immigrants to admit they broke the law and make them perform community service and pay a fine.
 
Illegal immigrants would also have to demonstrate they are proficient at English and pass background checks to gain citizenship.
 
There have been seven illegal alien amnesties written into law since 1986. Each one was supposed to have “solved” the problem. But that’s just it – they haven’t. As Michelle Malkin noted in 2007,
 
Guess what? None – not one – of those amnesties was associated with a decline in illegal immigration. On the contrary, the number of illegal aliens in the U.S. has tripled since President Reagan signed the first amnesty in 1986. The total effect of the amnesties was even larger because relatives later joined amnesty recipients, and this number was multiplied by an unknown number of children born to amnesty recipients who then acquired automatic US citizenship.
 
And what of the people who have followed all the rules, crossing every T and dotting every I in their quest for legal status in America? Nick, who lives in Bethel, Connecticut, first came to the U.S. from the UK with his family on a work visa in December of 1998. Everything went fine until the company was bought out by another company, which rendered his visa null and void. He had to start over again from scratch, but eventually the problem was solved. He received his green card in April of 2005 and will be eligible as of next month to apply for citizenship, which he intends to do.
 
However, in light of all of the work he’s done to make sure that he follows U.S. immigration policy, he’s concerned about the fact that “these illegal immigrants can come in and shortcut the circuit without going through the long, drawn-out process that we went through to get the green card in the first place. If they’re going to add in a whole new process to push these people through to get their citizenship, that’s going to take resources from the rest of us who are trying to get our citizenship who have followed all the rules.”
 
How many times have you heard that the U.S. is a “nation of laws?” Why take the time and effort to make new laws when you can’t be bothered to uphold the ones that already exist? Why don’t we just put out the welcome mat and dispense with the formality of a Border Patrol, green cards and citizenship tests?
 
Just a year ago, 66 percent of likely voters thought it was important for the government to improve its enforcement of the borders and reduce illegal immigration. And earlier this month, 67 percent of U.S. voters said that illegal aliens are a major strain on the U.S. economy, with 68 percent say gaining control of the border is more important than amnesty.
 
Look at California, for instance: With roughly 2.7 million illegal aliens within its borders, the state’s floundering economy is not helped by the fact that they cost the state between “$4 billion and $6 billion in costs, primarily for prisons and jails, schools and emergency rooms. Beyond those services, the illegal population adds to the overall cost of other parts of local government, from police and fire protection to highway maintenance and libraries.” Sure, they pay taxes on items they purchase, but “most researchers agree that the short-term costs to state and local government are bigger than the revenues.”
 
Revealingly, while making illegal aliens legal is of average importance to average Americans, it’s of high importance to the pols in Washington – 74 percent of them say the importance level is high. Surprised? Don’t be.
 
Once again, the elites in Washington are turning a deaf ear to the people they purportedly serve. Will they ever get the message? It’s up to us to make sure they do.
 
Pam Meister is the editor of FamilySecurityMatters.org.

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  Comments (10)

Amnesty for all illegals? Yes, it will likely be the next of two or three programs our leftist government will address along with Cap & Tax, and annhilating our 2nd amendment rights. Their marxist juggernaut is just starting to accelerate.

posted by: Bob H.
Friday, March 19, 2010 at 12:02 AM

Anything other than improved border security and increased deportations will prove to be a terrible and costly mistake.

Just consider the effect an Amnesty or path to citizenship for those here illegally will have.

First, it is widely believed this would alter the political landscape significantly. There is more than meets the eye regarding this because so many illegal aliens are from one country, Mexico, and all indications are that they retain a strong sense of loyalty to their homeland. Given that the Mexican government has shown no reluctance to sticking its toe in the door of our domestic politics how would this eventually serve to influence foreign policy, financial aid and border security?

What is the environmental effect of retaining millions of illegal aliens, the subsequent natural population growth as well as the increased potential for higher levels of immigration, both legal and illegal? Where is the water going to come from to supply areas like Southern California where there are already shortages? How much more fertile land should be destroyed in order to accommodate population sprawl? If we do not have an ample supply of energy for the American people at this point how can we justify worsening the problem?

There is no denying the cost of an amnesty to net taxpayers will be significant. Additional infrastructure and social costs are typically not economically justifiable. Local property tax payers in areas with large numbers of illegal aliens know all too well the burden of socializing the costs while profits are privatized. A prime example of a huge taxpayer borne cost is the current health care reform legislation. Since taxpayers (government borrowing) will be subsidizing the purchase of insurance for those with incomes up to approximately $100,000 there is a large direct cost for accepting any immigrants into the country if they do not possess the capital or skills to earn over that amount. Once entitled to additional social welfare programs the real costs of immigrants comes to light. Unfortunately, employers of low cost labor and politicians seeking votes do not pick up this tab.

At this time of economic uncertainty, high unemployment and a falling standard of living for working Americans it is telling that members of the Republican Party would even grant an audience to the National Chamber of Commerce and others who seek increased levels of foreign workers and amnesty for those already here. To work with the Democrat leadership in an effort to thrust another ill-fated piece of legislation down the throats of Americans who overwhelming reject it will be unforgiveable. The American people have had enough.

P.S. How would the CBO score health care reform legislation with 10-12 million more people needing direct subsidies to purchase insurance? Why didn’t Republicans bring that point front and center and force the issue?

posted by: SovereignMan
Friday, March 19, 2010 at 12:04 AM

Are we sure they are not using the heated debate over the health care bill to cover up passing amnesty in secret?

posted by: Susan Escalante
Friday, March 19, 2010 at 01:35 PM

Make your voice heard. Call your Rep and Senators and tell them to OPPOSE "comprehensive immigration reform" a/k/a mass amnesty. We want our existing laws enforced -- with NO form of any amnesty!

Also, join NumbersUSA and fax Congress for free.

posted by: Stan from Ohio
Saturday, March 20, 2010 at 01:10 PM

The first therapuetic step to getting clarity on illegal immigrations damage is to rid the mind of those traitors that have allowed it to beging with. And for beginners, we need to showcase Ronald Reagans responsibility, the first to give millions amnesty without consulting the American citizenry. Reagan gets credit for so much, why not give him all the credit that he deserves, good and bad. WE NEED HONESTY IN THIS COUNTRY SOONER OR LATER OR WE ARE GOING DOWN TO OBLIVION. JUST MY OPINION.

posted by: Bobby
Saturday, March 20, 2010 at 02:19 PM

If Obama signs another amnesty he will go down in American history as the President THAT DESTROYED THE UNITED STATES.
Great legacy BO!

posted by: Bonnie
Saturday, March 20, 2010 at 03:34 PM

I've never read such ignorant, one-sided responses. There are hundreds of illegal immigrants working towards a better living. However, the harsh and restricted laws deter them from much progress. For those who argue that the US is not their country and therefore shouldn't make laws to fit their needs is absurd. This country was founded on the principles of liberty and justice for all after the conquerors fled from Britain and invaded the "New land." How can these people be denied the same opportunity to escape their own oppressions when the country's ancestors did the same thing. It's complete hypocrisy.

Seems like many Americans have forgotten their history- their roots. How sad.

posted by: Byanka
Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 04:16 PM

This would be another outregeous bill imposed against the will of the people.

posted by: Luis R. Quiroz
Thursday, June 24, 2010 at 07:52 PM

leticia olalia morales of 15501 pasadena ave #8 tustin ca 92780 submitted fake documents and paid 5000.00 dollars to obtain a US tourist visa. she is now applying for citizenship.

posted by: anon
Wednesday, April 27, 2011 at 07:53 PM

i believe that you all are taking a spot of ignorance by not giving amnesty to illegal immigrants that work so hard to make their lives good...its like ur throwing you're self out to..because to begin with "americans" migrated first and th epeople are not kicking yall out. If you want honesty be honest to your self!!!!!

posted by: Maria
Wednesday, September 28, 2011 at 12:44 AM