Landrieu, Vitter differ on reforms

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. David Vitter, R-La., was among the first to take to the Senate floor Monday to express “real concern” about the immigration reform proposal.

Vitter cited past history in arguing that immigration reform under former President Ronald Reagan in 1986 led to amnesty for illegal immigrants without most of the “promised” increases on enforcement against illegal immigrants crossing borders and living in the U.S.

“History suggests this brand of so-called comprehensive immigration reform — this promise of enforcement as long as we have an amnesty — all of those things put together is a recipe for failure,” Vitter said.

Referring to the 1986 changes, Vitter added, “It not only perpetuated the problem, it grew the problem … enormously.”

Vitter also argued that President Barack Obama has “no will” to “focus on real enforcement.”

U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., on the other hand, called the immigration framework a “good start.”

“A bipartisan group of my Senate colleagues unveiled a framework for immigration reform that seeks to address border security, employer checks on immigration status and a path forward for the 11 million undocumented immigrants currently living in the U.S.,” Landrieu said in an email response. “It also seeks to retain highly-skilled entrepreneurs from around the world to help spur economic growth in our nation. This is a good start and I look forward to the debate ahead to strengthen it.

“In addition, I will continue my focus on developing America’s current workforce, so that all workers in America have the skills they need to succeed.”

Comments

1) Comment by BRmoderate - 29/01/2013

It is time we deal with the issue and I am happy that it is taking a bipartisan approach. kudos to both sides for working to get this done. Get them on the books and paying taxes like the rest of us.

2) Comment by BRmoderate - 29/01/2013

Obama is not the first and only prez to "grant citizenship" to immigrant babies born in the U.S...This has been a policy for many decades

3) Comment by agagent - 29/01/2013

Conversely legal immigrants must read, write, and speak English, be of moral character, have no criminal record, and accept and follow the constitution to be considered for citizenship. They are also screened for diseases and mental deficiencies. Any legal alien who needs public assistance may be denied a visa or deported. So much for fair an equal treatment under the law.

4) Comment by agagent - 29/01/2013

The first time someone crosses the US border illegally it is a civil offense. The second time someone crosses the border illegally it is a felony. Illegal aliens who have been deported are ineligible for readmission. It is illegal to: transport an illegal into the country; help, harbor, recruit, or hire an illegal; forge documents; and it is a crime for illegal immigrants to possess a firearm.

5) Comment by DMJ - 29/01/2013

By the way, simply being an illegal immigrant is not a criminal offense. Go ahead...look it up.

6) Comment by grimcity - 29/01/2013

Too bad Reagan isn't around, he'd just grant amnesty and everyone being a partisan hack would be switching sides on the issue.

7) Comment by phil - 29/01/2013

Let's just choose which laws to enforce and which one's not to? Who gets to make the choice? Illegal immigrants are illegal because they broke an existing law. Please let me know which laws I can choose to break and send me a list. For me, it is just that simple.

8) Comment by jdk944 - 29/01/2013

Oh yes, by all means let us bring more on the welfare train in this country and another block voting for the Democrat agenda as it now stands. This administration has succeeded in increasing those that are no longer even looking for work by the tens of millions along with those filing for disability is at an all time high. And DMJ calls this the right thing to do??? Not to disconnect to reality. Nonsense right back at you! Yes, more RINOs voting for this. Nothing new, just maybe a few of the faces on this sham!!

9) Comment by The Realist - 29/01/2013

Mark down another win for Obama and the Dems!

10) Comment by DMJ - 29/01/2013

Typical nonsense from Vitter. He's just taking himself out of this one is all. Nothing new there. The Democrats will lose about 4 or 5 votes for this, so they'll need to pick up about 12 Republicans. Not impossible. Too bad it took losing an election to make Republicans see the error of their ways. They should do this because it's the right thing to do, not because they need to play catch up on politics. Oh well....it's never too late to do the right thing.

11) Comment by agagent - 29/01/2013

We accept legal immigrants when someone vouches they will not be a burden on the taxpayers and when they don't have a criminal record. Illegal immigrants have shown that they are willing to break the laws by entering the country illegally, and no one has vouched that they will be able to support themselves and not become a burden on the taxpayers. In addition, it is unjust to those going through the legal path to citizenship, and it encourages others to enter the country illegally. Many elected officials have a conflict of interest concerning immigration reform: they are using citizenship in hopes of adding new supporters &/or they are willing to pass a harmful and unjust law to appeal to their base of support.

12) Comment by agagent - 29/01/2013

Our imperial President swore to protect and defend the constitution, when he really does not. Obama grants citizenship rights to children of illegal immigrants brought into the country illegally. Obama does not deport illegal immigrants unless they have committed a serious crime (other than coming to this country illegally). Obama has vigorously opposed any state wanting to help stem the tide of illegal immigration. To Obama an illegal immigrant is an undocumented Democrat voter, and he sees granting citizenship as another way of buying votes. It is silly to talk immigration reform before the border is sealed or until we have a President who will enforce the laws.

13) Comment by slye753 - 29/01/2013

just more people on the dole, but so many more democratic votes