Huckabee Releases Immigration Plan

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Source: The New York Times

December 7, 2007, 4:10 pm
Huckabee Releases Immigration Plan

By Sarah Wheaton

In advance of a Spanish-language debate on Sunday, Mike Huckabee has released a plan for immigration enforcement and border security today. The former Arkansas governor pledges to complete the border fence by July 2010 and rules out a pathway to citizenship for people currently in the United States illegally without first returning their country of origin.

Mr. Huckabee has taken heat over the past few weeks from his rivals for the G.O.P. nomination, especially after his impassioned defense of granting merit scholarships to children of illegal immigrants at the CNN-YouTube debate on Nov. 28.

“In all due respect, we’re a better country than to punish children for what their parents did,” he said, when asked why he supported such a proposal as governor.

In his proposal today, Mr. Huckabee did not address whether he supports giving such benefits to people currently in the country illegally. He said such immigrants who do not register within 120 days with Citizenship and Immigration Services and leave the country will be barred from re-entry for 10 years if they do try to apply for legal citizenship.

Read more: http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/12/07/huckabee-releases-immigration-plan/

[judaspriestess]

1. well then he is also going to have to get the IRS to stop

issuing Tax ID's to illegal immigrants (no questions asked) so they can obtain work with employers. This government is 100% enabling the situation.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

3. This is a "wedge issue" for Huckabee and the Freeps.

First of all, I don't know where the high poll numbers are coming from, because many of the Freeps are vocal in their dislike of him as a candidate. They see him as someone that we can easily beat (and they're right).

But Immigration issues are under close scrutiny by the Freepers, and they;re looking for someone to take a hard-line stand. Of course, in doing so, Huckabee has to reconcile the whole "Jesus wants me to be president" theme of his campaign.

He's a mess, no matter how you look at it.

:patriot:

[moggie]

4. Except that he wants to ABOLISH the IRS n/t

[TwilightGardener]

2. He's trying to run away from his DREAM Act-type plan and his record in Arkansas.

Loved those illegals who worked in the chicken factories--so did Tyson.

[krabigirl]

5. What is the deal with Republicans and their love of border fences?

I don't want to live in Fortress America!!

[Catsbrains]

6. I was wondering the same thing.

[Solar_Power]

7. What's his plan?

It's not very clear

[peacebird]

8. How does he propose ENFORCING such a plan? Without enforcement plans and $$$ it's just a paper tiger

and a blatant sop to the racists......

not that I think his plan SHOULD be enforced btw - I think it is far too simplistic and fails to address the real issue.

When employers are SERIOUSLY punished for repeat offenses (think Tysons chicken and Smithfield ham - and then consider the little $5k or $10k slap on the wrists they get repeatedly) That is when illegal labor will become less attractive. Then employers will be forced to pay a livable wage for labor, as they won't have the illegals to abuse. It will be a win-win situation, except that by necessity food costs will rise due to higher labor costs.