TOPICS
TOPICS
Bush says 'leadership' is needed to pass immigration bill
President Bush on Tuesday sharpened his political rhetoric against critics of the administration-backed Senate immigration legislation, blasting them for seeking to scare people about the bill and encouraging the political courage needed to pass it.
"If you want to kill the bill, if you don't want to do what's right for America, you can pick one little aspect out of it -- you can use it to frighten people," Bush said at a federal law enforcement training center in Glynco, Ga. "Or you can show leadership and solve this problem once and for all, so the people who wear the uniform in this crowd can do the job we expect them to do."
Bush said it was "empty political rhetoric" to say the legislation amounts to amnesty, as many critics have done. And he sought to rebut "skeptics" who believe the bill is lax on enforcement and border security.
"Oh, I'm sure you've heard some of the talk out there about people defining the bill -- it's clear they haven't read the bill," Bush said. "They're speculating about what the bill says and they're trying to rile up people's emotions."
Bush characterized the legislation as a boost to the economy, saying it would provide workers willing to perform jobs U.S. citizens will not do. "If you're serious about keeping our economy strong, it makes sense to support legislation that gives foreign workers a legal path to jobs in America," he said.
White House Press Secretary Tony Snow was upbeat about the chances of persuading senators about the merits of the legislation, suggesting, as Bush did, that some lawmakers had weighed in against it without having read it.
"I think the one thing we're discovering is that when people do get walked through the details, in fact the explanation is convincing to a lot of folks," Snow said. "You've got to take a look at the details, and you've got to take a look at the way it's put together and how it meets people's concerns about security, how it meets people's concerns about restoring respect for the rule of law, how it reestablishes the notion of citizenship as something that one earns."
Critics contend that the legislation provides amnesty because it places the bar too low for illegal immigrants to remain in the country. Bush spoke Tuesday following a tour of the training center where he viewed a mock port of entry and witnessed simulations of the screening and processing procedures for individuals entering the country.
COMMENTS
- I've supported Bush all the way, but he has his head firmly implanted on this issue. When 70%+ want a high tech fence on the entire border, ALL illegals deported, and all employers of illegals prosecuted, isn't it obvious this is all for political gain and not what the people want. Of course since our representatives are smarter than we are, so I guess we just have to let them make decisions for us; to heck with what people want. This is a disaster in the making which will only get worse if we don't take this to a popular vote, and it is far to important not too. This is not an anti Mexican issue; it is just that everyone who wants the benifits of being a US Citizen must gain those rights just like my father and great grand parents did. Try going to Mexico or any other country illegally and see what happens to you! An Independent Who Loves This Country Posted June 21, 2007 12:41 PM
- I hate to tell you all, but last year the Bush people were pushing amnesty for 8 million illegals. Then, because everyone was laughing at that number he upped it to 12 million. One more time Mr Bush. Let's get it to the 20-21 million that it actually is. Realist Posted June 4, 2007 12:18 PM
- White House Press Secretary Tony Snow said. "You've got to take a look at the details, look at the way it's put together, how it meets people's concerns about security, how it meets people's concerns about restoring respect for the rule of law, & how it reestablishes the notion of citizenship as something one earns." COMMENT: These are all good concerns but by granting amnesty to 12 million ILLEGAL immigrants is not the way to go about earning RESPECT for the LAW. I agree citizenship should be EARNED. The latest reform of the Senate Immigration bill is closing the door on the illiterate and poor immigrants. On a trip to Mexico I was told Education is free up to the 6th grade but after that the parents have to pay for it. Can the majority of the Mexican population afford an education after the 6th grade? I have no objection to any immigrant desiring or working to become an American citizen but to limit citizenship on job skills, education, and family ties is not the way to do it. Many of these immigrants don't have the job skills or education; only the desire to improve the life of their family & themselves & the willingness to work hard to achieve a better life. It would be a financial strain for the head of a household to pay a $5000 fine, most of these immigrants are only making minimum wage. To make any immigrant return home after 8 years to become eligible to apply for citizenship is unrealistic. How many illegal immigrants will come forward if they know they will be fined $5000 and have to leave their family to return to their home after 8 years? Start the citizenship process for those who want to become citizens when they come forward. The 12M illegal immigrants could receive a “work authorization” immediately. Take this SLOW, this is handing them a blank check. No requirements, no background research, no health check, etc. WRONG! The Senate Immigration bill would allow the parents of immigrants to come to the U.S. Right now we have a large mass of Baby Boomers retiring to deal with and we certainly do not need more elderly to overtax Social Security, Medicare, and the Health Care system. American Taxpayer Posted May 30, 2007 1:16 PM
