"Secure the border"

Summary (posts follow):

When someone harps on "securing the border", that's sometimes a clue that they're trying to fool people, as John McCain tried to do. After the border is "secure", some of them will push for an amnesty of some kind. We do need to secure the border, and not all those who harp on securing the border are being deceptive. Their other policies need to be taken into account.

For instance, if they say "secure the border first", you need to find out what's second and make sure it isn't some form of comprehensive immigration reform, aka amnesty.

Last modified Jan 30, 2009

Discussed in (click each link for the full post):

Marco Rubio supports attrition, seems to actually oppose amnesty (but: probably still supports massive immigration) - 11/17/2009

Speaking earlier today, Florida Senate candidate Marco Rubio supported attrition (enforcing our immigration laws in order to encourage illegal aliens to leave on their own) and made statements that seemed to indicate that he opposes amnesty (aka comprehensive immigration reform). That's definitely a far better position than that of those in his general network, such as Karl Rove and Jeb Bush....

Janet Napolitano falsely says she needs immigration "reform" to do her job; says border more secure; sounds like Chertoff - 11/13/2009

... stock talking points such as secure the border and living in the shadows. She also gave a shout-out to John Podesta of CAP and specifically mentioned the National Association of Evangelicals as one of the groups supporting "reform"; most of that group's member organizations are actually neutral or opposed to "reform". It's extremely unfortunate that I was unable to g...

Meg Whitman spouts amnesty talking points (California governor candidate) - 10/29/2009

... this border." (note: see secure the border) ...[in the past she's] said that had she lived in California in 1994, she would have voted against Proposition 187... Yesterday, Whitman reiterated her opposition to "sanctuary cities"...

Schumer, Senate Democrats discuss their immigration plans, including a national ID card - 6/25/2009

... -- plain and simple." See secure the border and amnesty require. And, if he wants to immediately deport those who won't take part in the program, why can't he do that now? Regarding the last sentence, that's just posturing. However, if you get a chance, it would be a good thing to bring up when discussing this issue with him or other leaders.

Obama at Hispanic Prayer Breakfast: same old immigration speech (+sounds like McCain) - 6/19/2009

Earlier today, Barack Obama spoke at the Esperanza National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast [1]. Others in attendance included Cecilia Munoz, Ed Rendell, and Janet Napolitano; the event was organized by Rev. Luis Cortes of Esperanza USA. Obama simply reiterated his commitment to comprehensive immigration reform as he's done several times before, and he uttered the same old canards about that amnest...

Harry Reid says there are enough Senate votes for immigration "reform"; offers deportation false choice - 6/15/2009

... "comprehensive" link above as well as secure the border and deportations false choice. [1] hispanicbusiness.com/politics/2009/6/11/ senate_leader_says_immigration_reform_possible.htm

Marco Rubio: illegal immigration amnesty supporter, or not? - 5/13/2009

... I believe that we’ve got to secure the borders in our existing system first before we can even begin to have a conversation about the other elements of immigration. . . . But I have nothing but good things to say about Mel. "Probably"? That's not Tancredo-like. And, secure the border "first" raises the question what he'd do after, which might include some form of m...

Obama immigration budget: does a McCain: border security, then amnesty; fulfills promise to Mexican government; worried about southbound flows - 5/06/2009

... about how he wanted to "secure the border first" and then use that to push for amnesty, and Obama supporters lied and said he didn't support comprehensive immigration reform anymore? Well, now Barack Obama wants to secure the border first and then use that to push for amnesty. Somehow it's different this time. From "Obama budget puts security first at the border/He'l...

McCain won't support union-driven immigration "reform" push; other uncertainties - 4/19/2009

Change to Win and the AFL CIO recently joined forces to promote comprehensive immigration reform. Now. per this, John McCain says: "The current plan being developed by the administration and organized labor calls for immigration reform that does not adequately address either securing the border or a legal temporary worker program and is a plan I cannot support... We need to act on the pressin...

Josh Marshall /TPMTV misleads about Michelle Bachmann - 3/24/2009

... border"; see the explanation at secure the border. Tinklenberg appears to fall into the group of those who say they want to secure the border but don't really mean it; Bachmann - whatever her other weaknesses [3] - appears to fall into the other camp. That becomes clear if you watch the full video: link. ...

Obama asked stock question about immigration, gives stock, uneconomic reply (smears e-Verify; Orange County) - 3/19/2009

... have control of our borders (see secure the border). Number three, that people who have been here for a long time and put down roots here have to have some mechanism over time to get out of the shadows (see living in the shadows), because if they stay in the shadows, in the underground economy, then they are oftentimes pitted against American workers. Since they can't join a union, they ca...

Michael Steele: doublespeak on immigration "reform" and amnesty - 1/30/2009

... the June 14, 2007 article "Secure the border first" (link). "Securing the border" is generally a dodge, see the link. And, although he was opposed to 2007's comprehensive immigration reform bill, the "first" leaves an opening for some form of amnesty after the border is supposedly secured. Note that the five points listed at the Townhall link were almost all mor...

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand immigration stance: tough or just for show? - 1/23/2009

... for the American worker. "Secure the border" and "the system is broken" are stock boilerplate used to hide an amnesty and/or a guest worker program. What's written above implies the second and doesn't rule out the first. Ensuring the "adequate number of legal workers" means a guest worker program. And, almost every politician is against an "amnesty&qu...

Bush smears illegal immigration opponents (12/18/2008 edition) - 12/20/2008

On December 18, beloved and can't-leave-too-soon president George W Bush spoke at the American Enterprise Institute convocation and said [1] the following (via this): ...And I'm a little concerned about the tone of the immigration debate, labeling our party as "anti"-people. It's one thing to say they want the border enforced, and I understand that. But if a group of peop...

Great: Sarah Palin immigration stance magically same as McCain's - 10/22/2008

... also spouted McCain's "secure the border" nonsense.

Bob Barr still trying to fool people on immigration - 7/16/2008

... business". He also wants to "secure the borders to the extent possible". The biggest problems with the FBBFBPTHNCOEH is that few of his proposals have any chance of coming to pass. Moreoever, in those eight paragraphs he doesn't even hint what he intends to do about current illegal aliens. Based on his previous talking point - the same employed by Barack Obama, George W. Bush,...

John McCain back to supporting "comprehensive immigration reform", "guest" workers, H-1B visas - 5/22/2008

... concerned, the policy is still, 'secure the border first.' I said, "so, this change away from border-security-first wouldn't happen, unless John McCain and his top advisers had gotten together, studied it in great detail, weighed all the advantages and disadvantages, and came to the carefully-considered conclusion that they're really not interested in winning the elect...

Barack Obama immigration editorial misleads - 4/15/2008

But, you already knew that. Barack Obama offers an editorial entitled "Enforce tighter border, employer verifications" (link): While I understand the passions -- and legitimate differences -- on both sides of this difficult issue, we must restore civility and reason to the conversation. Translation: "my opponents are gun-toting anti-immigrant racists". And, "as irrational ...

John McCain would sign his own amnesty bill as president; tries co-opting attrition - 1/28/2008

Yesterday, Tim Russert asked John McCain: "If the Senate passed your bill, S.1433, the McCain/Kennedy immigration bill, would you as president sign it? McCain replied: "Yeah. But look, the lesson is, it isn't - one, it isn't going to come. It isn't going to come." Video here. In other news, McCain is now trying to pretend to embrace the attrition concept, where...

Tim Kaine's SOTU response - 1/31/2006

Virginia governor Tim Kaine responds to Bush's speech here: The failure of the federal government to implement and enforce a rational immigration policy has resulted in a confusing patchwork of state and local efforts. We should welcome those who seek to lawfully join and contribute to our American family. At the same time, we must ensure that our homeland defense efforts begin with consisten...

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