March 06, 2006

Indentured Servitude Has Its Privleges

Can he sell the Senate "Tarjetas Dorado" aka "Gold Cards" for Illegal Aliens allowing them to stay in U.S. indefinitely?

The Stein Report has learned of an secret briefing for Senate staffers by the Bush administration today. In a move to build support for Bush's guest worker amnesty plan, administration officials talked about how they would actually implement the program. Jaws dropped as the administration reps explained the centerpiece of the program, a "Gold Card" that would enable illegal aliens to enter the U.S. at will, and work at any job with no labor market or other tests needed but would deny them citizenship. "Gold Cards" would be valid forever, similar to current "Green Cards" but illegal aliens holding a "Gold Card" would not be able to adjust their status through naturalization.

Update 3/7: As we scooped yesterday, in a Senate briefing it was announced Specter was pushing the Bush-designed initiative of allowing illegal aliens to receive “gold cards” renewable indefinitely. In other words, a massive amnesty! Both the Star-Telegram and CQ have stories about this proposal. We do know from other Hill sources that the Specter bill is the de-facto Bush administration bill at this point, with the "Chairman's Mark" being drafted with Bush administration input. The phrase "gold card" doesn't appear in the Specter bill text, but was used at the briefing yesterday. From CQ: "Gold card applicants would have a year to come forward once the legislation is enacted. They would pay no fines, and they would not be forced to return home at any point, provided they remain employed. Aides say the program would not provide a path toward U.S. citizenship." The Star-Telegram has more detail as well. "The [gold card] workers wouldn’t participate in the Social Security system but would contribute to future savings through worker investment accounts."

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Posted on Mon, Mar. 06, 2006
Illegal immigrants could stay indefinitely under Senate plan

Star-Telegram Washington Bureau WASHINGTON - The Senate’s main immigration bill would enable most illegal immigrants now in the United States to remain indefinitely as long as they stay employed, but it wouldn’t put them on a glide path to U.S. citizenship.

The Senate Judiciary Committee will begin debating the measure Wednesday under a three-week Sponsored by Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., the committee chairman, the legislation is designed to strike a middle course between a bill passed by the House of Representatives calling for tougher immigration enforcement and pro-immigration advocates who call for permanent legal status - and eventual citizenship - for the estimated 11 million aliens now in the country illegally.

President Bush, defying objections from conservatives, has called for an overhaul of the nation’s immigration laws and the creation of a temporary guest-worker program to ensure a steady source of labor for U.S. business. Under Bush’s plan, qualified workers, including residents now here illegally, could stay in jobs for up to six years, then would be required to return home.
Senate Judiciary Committee staff members who explained key provisions of Specter’s bill on Monday said that the measure would create a "gold card" program for illegal immigrants who entered the United States before Jan. 4, 2004. It also would create a guest-worker program to bring in more foreign laborers.

Applicants for the gold card would undergo a background check by the Homeland Security Department, then be eligible for two-year work visas that could be renewed indefinitely, committee aides said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to avoid upstaging their boss. The workers wouldn’t participate in the Social Security system but would contribute to future savings through worker investment accounts.

One top committee staffer described the gold-card proposal as "a reasonable compromise" in dealing with illegal immigrants, many of whom have lived in the country for decades. The undesirable alternative, he said, would be an unworkable massive roundup, which administration officials have said would cost billions of dollars.

Tons of links to stories

Oh, here's one more.

"Some people are going to say it's amnesty, and others are going to say it creates a second-class caste of workers," said Tamar Jacoby of the Manhattan Institute, a New York-based think tank that leans right. "It's a non-starter for both sides."

Tensions between opposing groups escalated on the eve of the committee's deliberations, underscoring the passions surrounding the immigration issue. The National Capital Immigration Coalition announced plans for a Capitol Hill rally on Tuesday afternoon to demand eventual citizenship for illegal immigrants.

Specter's 305-page bill included elements from two other major bills, one co-sponsored by Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., the other by Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Edward Kennedy, D-Mass.

Republicans represent a conservative and pro-America viewpoint.


Excuse me...

Get a rope!

I'm realizing more and more
that Bush = Tard

bump for the morning crew

Amnesty will happen.  Corporations want the cheap labor that the illegal aliens provide.  Our government IS the corporations.  The amnesty program will happen, whether it is this one or it is this one being used as a feint while another with slightly more restrictions is passed.

One top committee staffer described the gold-card proposal as "a reasonable compromise" in dealing with illegal immigrants, many of whom have lived in the country for decades. The undesirable alternative, he said, would be an unworkable massive roundup, which administration officials have said would cost billions of dollars.

Hey you fucking assholes....  You've spent billions on every other bullshit notion of social and international responcibility.  Maybe, just fucking maybe, you could spend some on things you are ACTUALLY responcible for doing, like, ohhhhh I dont know, say
FUCKING CONTROLLING IMMIGRATION!!!!!!!!!!


Christ. I'm sick of hearing Bush on this one.

I don't know why I clicked reply.
I have nothing to say.
I just wanted to share my outrage.

If they do this, I swear I will never vote for another Republican for the rest of my life.

I now wish I hadn't voted for Bush.  Better to have thrown my vote to a third party.  His list of good points is a lot shorter than his list of bad points at this point.

Bush

I'm beginning to understand "Be careful what you wish for........."

Quoted: One top committee staffer described the gold-card proposal as "a reasonable compromise" in dealing with illegal immigrants, many of whom have lived in the country for decades. The undesirable alternative, he said, would be an unworkable massive roundup, which administration officials have said would cost billions of dollars.

No massive roundup needed, as you find them send them back and seal the fuckin border so they can't come back. Eventually they will all be gone.

It's interesting that at the same time the legislators are adding another $90 Billion dollars to the budget for Iraq they claim they can't find a couple billion to deal with illegal immigration here!

I would bet that any candidate that ran on an "America First" platform would sweep the election.  People are sick and tired of being the worlds keeper while at the same time having the world blame us for every one of their problems and this "good" we are doing is costing us improvements here at home.  How far would $90 billion go in developing alternative forms of energy?  That $90 billion is just the budget for 1 year in Iraq!  How many other countries is the US in and how much is that costing us?  America First!!!!!!

Not surprised in the least.

+1 SWIRE

Did Bush fall down a bump his head since the last election?

What happened to the man I voted for?

The "Gold card" DOES allow a path for citizenship.  Have a child here, and your child can file an I-130 (immigration petition) on your behalf.

I wouldn't be opposed to this program if it was coupled with a guarantee that we'd actually seal the border and an understanding that a conviction for any felony or misdemeanor would result in immediate deportation for the gold card holder and any non-citizen dependents.

Jorge may give them amnesty, but I never will.


And to think that I voted for that asshat...

I'm thinking that the "social costs" of illegal aliens FAR OUTWEIGH the reduced price we pay at the supermarket for strawberries etc..

There is an untapped source of labor in the US.

Just get tougher on welfare handouts and other programs and these guys might have to go to work..

Not to worry fellas....they are just coming here to do the work that high-school kids used to do....

Swire makes a good point, and if I can add my $.03 to it.

If the Republicans were smart, and took the set-up Bush was handing them on a plater, they could sweep the next series of elections.  

We know most of what Bush has been proposing interms of illegals, spending, new government programs etc., it straight out of the socialist play-book.  We also know that most, even moderately conservative folks, are becoming, if they are not already, very upset by all Bush's lousy policy.  I think the Republicans understand this as well, but there is something that has been holding back a lot of the criticism and backlash, but that dam is slowly starting to break.  I think, we need to start putting pressure on our representatives to push back, start speaking out against this Bush agenda, and start pushing for a true conservative agenda.  This will galvanize the "troops" on the Republican side and I think, will help actually gain seats in the coming 2006 and 2008 election cycles.

Basically, the Republicans need to come out and say something to the effect, "You know, out of party loyalty we followed out President in the past.  However, over the course of the last year we recognize he has abandoned our most strongly held beleifs regarding limited government, limited spending, personal freedoms, and self determination.  Because of this, we Republicans in the House and Senate will stand firm against new policies and proposals from the White House that fly in the face of these basic premises we hold.  The president can either start proposing to set forth policy to strengthen this country, or if he contiunes along the curent path, see his new proposals shut down in both houses."

Quoted: I'm realizing more and more that Bush = Tard

+1

Quoted: I'm realizing more and more that Bush = Tard

You forgot the RE part, to it seems like he's been RE'ing a lot lately.....

Yossarian- I think you're dead on, and it may be starting with the port situation. If I were more cynical, I might think Rove planned it this way. Cover for the congress. Nah.

Quoted: Basically, the Republicans need to come out and say something to the effect, "You know, out of party loyalty we followed out President in the past.  However, over the course of the last year we recognize he has abandoned our most strongly held beleifs regarding limited government, limited spending, personal freedoms, and self determination.  Because of this, we Republicans in the House and Senate will stand firm against new policies and proposals from the White House that fly in the face of these basic premises we hold.  The president can either start proposing to set forth policy to strengthen this country, or if he contiunes along the curent path, see his new proposals shut down in both houses."

Hold your breath.  See how long you last.  They are so terrified of mid-term elections there is no way in hell they are taking a position that they can't wiggle out of if the wind shifts.  I'm hoping the Republican party I saw and I came home to durring Clinton's years can return.  This has been a train-wreck so far.

OMG the last thing we need is GOLD CARDS the can be abused.

WTF?

Quoted: Did Bush fall down a bump his head since the last election? What happened to the man I voted for?

Bush bumped his head before the last election, remember when he came on TV appologized for being a "cowboy" and said he was going to launch a "kinder and gentler war on terror"?  That was the start of him going down hill and he hasn't changed course since then.  As for when he bumped his head take you pick, was it when he choked on the pretzel and knocked his head on the coffee table, was it when he some how managed to make the segway fall over, or was it one of them many times he wrecked on his mountain bike?  Seriously though, he's changed and it hasn't been for the better.

Democrats, like Feinstein are not much better on this, they're just hoping you like the colors blue and green better than gold.  The proposal she favors is giving out 300,000 "Blue" cards per year for the next 3 years and then allowing them to become Green cards for permanent residency and allowing a change of jobs from agriculture.

They've had bi-partisan committees on this since 1996, maybe earlier.  They were talking about stopping "chain migration" years ago, where they allowed workers to send for their families, adults and minors.  Whoever they're listening to doesn't want much to change.  

I've got a local politician who's just now getting on the bandwagon for this.  He passes as a Republican normally but all his political allies are environmental Democrats who allow him to wander on budget issues.  Now he faces a Republican candidate who's supported by the party, is anti-illegals and he's having to dissapoint his liberal friends again.  I've been a supporter of his but I think he's lost me here.  

I think you would be hard pressed to find many politicians in this country with any principles regarding citizenship and legal immigration and I'd need to see their voting record to believe it.  We've elected a bunch of un-principled bag carriers.

If this amnesty goes through and Bush vetos this bill/law ban to block UAE ports I will support impeachment at that point. This man is looking more and more like a trader everday. Our Gov needs a enema at this ponit before we loose what little freedom and rights we have left. We are heading for some serious dark times in this Country if we let globalist ideas like these continue.

So, should I now let my Green Card lapse, become an illegal and get myself a "Gold Card" and not bother going through the process of obtaining my Citizenship?  Seems like the easiest and cheapest way for me, Jesus, why bother with all of that bureaucracy and money when I can just do it this way.

Thanks government, you just made my day.  

Quoted: So, should I now let my Green Card lapse, become an illegal and get myself a "Gold Card" and not bother going through the process of obtaining my Citizenship?  Seems like the easiest and cheapest way for me, Jesus, why bother with all of that bureaucracy and money when I can just do it this way. Thanks government, you just made my day.

Hard to understand why you bother isn't it?    


Thanks for doing the right thing anyway.  We can always use more of you.

Quoted: One top committee staffer described the gold-card proposal as "a reasonable compromise" in dealing with illegal immigrants, many of whom have lived in the country for decades. The undesirable alternative, he said, would be an unworkable massive roundup, which administration officials have said would cost billions of dollars.

Didn't realize ammo had gone up that much in price...

To me that sounds like not a way to let illegals stay in the country, but to allow legals to work in the country.

If they have this Gold Card, then they are legal, not illegal.


.....(a green card holder)

The Dems and the RINOs in the Senate can screw around with this all they want.

Does anybody really believe that The House is going to pass something like an Amnesty in an election year ? Very unlikely.

I bet at the end of this year we are sitting around with exactly the same policies and unenforced laws we have now, nothing better, nothing worse.  

What a slap in the face to me and the others who did it (immigrated) legally.

And to all the citizens expecting protection.

Quoted: What a slap in the face to me and the others who did it (immigrated) legally. And to all the citizens expecting protection.

I feel the same way.

Once they get this card, they will then be legal. At this point they are no longer operating "Under the Radar" and subject to working for these low wages. They will soon organize and demand higher wages and benefits.

Why don't these people understand that the only thing keeping the labor cheap is the fact that they are illegal. Making them legal changes that, makes a new class of citizen demanding rights and higher wages, and still leaves a void in the cheap labor market that will get filled by non-Gold Card immigrants.

Quoted: I now wish I hadn't voted for Bush.  Better to have thrown my vote to a third party.  His list of good points is a lot shorter than his list of bad points at this point.

+1

What else can you do

Quoted: Once they get this card, they will then be legal. At this point they are no longer operating "Under the Radar" and subject to working for these low wages. They will soon organize and demand higher wages and benefits. Why don't these people understand that the only thing keeping the labor cheap is the fact that they are illegal. Making them legal changes that, makes a new class of citizen demanding rights and higher wages, and still leaves a void in the cheap labor market that will get filled by non-Gold Card immigrants.

Yup, all this Gold Card does is grant them a LEGAL documented migrant worker status.  Have fun trying to get anything other than an unskilled labor job with it...

Quoted: Quoted: Basically, the Republicans need to come out and say something to the effect, "You know, out of party loyalty we followed out President in the past.  However, over the course of the last year we recognize he has abandoned our most strongly held beleifs regarding limited government, limited spending, personal freedoms, and self determination.  Because of this, we Republicans in the House and Senate will stand firm against new policies and proposals from the White House that fly in the face of these basic premises we hold.  The president can either start proposing to set forth policy to strengthen this country, or if he contiunes along the curent path, see his new proposals shut down in both houses." Hold your breath.  See how long you last.  They are so terrified of mid-term elections there is no way in hell they are taking a position that they can't wiggle out of if the wind shifts.  I'm hoping the Republican party I saw and I came home to durring Clinton's years can return.  This has been a train-wreck so far.

Oh, don't get me wrong, I am not holding my breath...I know that won't happen...but it should happen.

Quoted: What a slap in the face to me and the others who did it (immigrated) legally. And to all the citizens expecting protection.

No shit!  Years of my life and thousands of dollars later and then they give this stuff away like a prize in a cereal box.  Fuck!!

Quoted: I now wish I hadn't voted for Bush.  Better to have thrown my vote to a third party.  His list of good points is a lot shorter than his list of bad points at this point.

Which one?

Libertarians == open borders
Greens == illegals are our friends

The only one I've heard of is the Constitution Party, and last I heard, they aren't nationwide yet.  I think I'll join 'em if I can find them, though.

Quoted: Quoted: I'm realizing more and more that Bush = Tard +1

Best president mexico ever had

How about we make it real fucking simple...

Hire illegals and your ass goes to federal pound me in the ass prison!

Why should we give a fuck about Mexico...