Immigration dissonance

GOP senators bare teeth on issue as party tries to rally around McCain

Thursday, March 6, 2008 | 2 a.m.

Washington — Republican senators introduced a package of tough anti-illegal-immigration bills Wednesday, rekindling an emotional issue that has dogged their party’s presumed presidential nominee, Sen. John McCain, just as he was claiming front-runner status.

The 15 bills would revisit many of the issues from past, failed attempts to revise the nation’s immigration laws. Republicans believe their approach will spark voter interest heading into the fall election.

In Nevada, reigniting the immigration issue poses challenges for the state’s lawmakers, who are routinely scrutinized over their votes. Nevada has a growing immigrant population, and voters are passionate on both sides of the debate.

But Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama, who is leading the Republican effort, said as the bills were unveiled: “What’s wrong with asking people to declare their views in an election year?”

The senators introduced their bills as McCain was headed to the White House to lunch with President Bush and receive his endorsement after a long-fought campaign. McCain essentially clinched his party’s nomination during Tuesday’s primaries, and various senators took to the Senate floor Wednesday morning to say that although they had not initially backed his effort, they were now offering support.

But immigration has been McCain’s weak spot among conservatives since he led efforts to revise immigration laws by including a path to citizenship for the 12 million immigrants living in this country illegally.

Rekindling an issue that has divided the party on the day Republicans were trying to coalesce around its presumed nominee sent a mixed message.

Angela Kelley, director of the Immigration Policy Center, an immigrants’ rights advocacy group, said Republicans are mistaken if they think they will score points with voters by backing enforcement-only proposals.

“Republicans haven’t gotten the memo: Trying to beat up on immigrants isn’t a good issue in an election year,” she said. “I think they’re playing with fire on this.”

The bills are not likely to be given floor time in the Senate — which means they are more likely to fuel political, rather than policy, debates.

The bills introduced by a dozen senators include proposals to make English the country’s official language, establish mandatory jail sentences for those who enter the country illegally, set a 2010 deadline for building the border fence, ban the use of Mexican government-issued ID cards at banks and withhold federal funds from cities that offer illegal immigrants sanctuary or states that grant driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants.

Discussion: 4 comments so far…

By Richard

3/6/08 at 1:42 p.m.

Suggest removal

Deliberately or not, the writer slides within the article to talking about "immigration" when virtually the entire concern is "illegal" immigration. This has been a common tactic for those overtly or covertly supportive of illegals...suggesting that those opposed to illegal situations are opposed to immigration generally. The quotas for annual immigration may or may not need upward revision, but beyong that the proposals appear to be focused totally on dealing with people breaking the law. Apparently the proposals were spurred by reports the real or virtual fence along the borders are many, many years away. At least they are trying to do something now.
By Brittanicus

3/8/08 at 10:02 a.m.

Suggest removal

Rep. Heath Shuler (D-N.C.) introduced the SAVE Act (H.R. 4088) on November 6, 2007, emphasizing the principles of Attrition Through Enforcement The SAVE Act will broaden and enhance border security and interior enforcement. With a number of Democrats (51 ) including 3 Senators and Republicans (96) that includes 5 Senators have already agreed to co-sponsor. This bipartisan effort may be Congress’s last chance to achieve substantial immigration reform this Congress, before the new pro-illegal immigrant President strides into Washington. The question is why are Democrats are not co-authoring the SAVE ACT in greater numbers? Democrats in my family are asking the same question?
Demand your representative co-sponsor the SAVE ACT. Fax for free your Senator or Congressman at NUMBERSUSA.COM

Rep. Heath Shuler (D-N.C.) introduced the SAVE Act (H.R. 4088) on November 6, 2007, emphasizing the principles of Attrition Through Enforcement The SAVE Act will broaden and enhance border security and interior enforcement. With a number of Democrats (51 ) including 3 Senators and Republicans (96) that includes 5 Senators have already agreed to co-sponsor. This bipartisan effort may be Congress’s last chance to achieve substantial immigration reform this Congress, before the new pro-illegal immigrant President strides into Washington. The question is why are Democrats are not co-authoring the SAVE ACT in greater numbers? Democrats in my family are asking the same question?
Demand your representative co-sponsor the SAVE ACT. Fax for free your Senator or Congressman at NUMBERSUSA.COM

How long do taxpayers have to support pariah employers and the 12 to 20 million illegal aliens in this nation?
By darthbry

3/11/08 at 12:17 p.m.

Suggest removal

we need the fence, more agents and immediate deportation if illegal status is found. I hate hearing that they take jobs americans won't. that's because all of our welfare programs allow americans not to take certain jobs. We need to take our country back.