Wednesday, April 05, 2006

Harry Reid HAD a great idea!

This is one of the things I love about the Drudge Report. No one calls politicians for flip-flopping like they do. Here is another brilliant example: In 1993, Harry Reid proposed the Immigration Stabilization Act. The link provided has details, here are a few:

Specific provisions of Reid's Immigration Stabilization Act include the following:
-- Reduces annual legal immigration levels from approximately 800,000 admissions per year to about 300,000. Relatives other than spouse or minor children will be admitted only if already on immigration waiting lists and their admission does not raise annual immigration levels above 300,000.

-- Reforms asylum rules to prevent aliens from entering the United States illegally under phony "asylum" claims.-- Expands list of felonies considered "aggravated" felonies requiring exclusion and deportation of criminal aliens. Allows courts to order deportation at time of sentencing.

-- Increases penalties for failing to depart or re-entering the United States after a final order of deportation order. Increases maximum penalties for visa fraud from five years to 10 years.

-- Curtails alien smuggling by authorizing interdiction and repatriation of aliens seeking to enter the United States unlawfully by sea. Increases penalties for alien smuggling.

-- Adds "alien smuggling" to the list of crimes subject to sanctions under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. Expands the categories of property that are forfeited when used to facilitate the smuggling or harboring of illegal aliens.

-- Clarifies that a person born in the United States to an alien mother who is not a lawful resident is not a U.S. citizen. This will eliminate incentive for pregnant alien women to enter the United States illegally, often at risk to mother and child, for the purpose of acquiring citizenship for the child and accompanying federal financial benefits.

But that’s not all. Here are a few things Mr. Reid had to say about our immigration problem back in 1993:

"We are a country founded upon fairness and justice. An individual in real threat of torture or long-term incarceration because of his or her political beliefs can still seek asylum, but this bill closes the door to those who want to abuse America's inherent generosity and legal system…

Our borders have overflowed with illegal immigrants placing tremendous burdens on our criminal justice system, schools and social programs…

The Immigration and Naturalization Service needs the ability to step up enforcement…

Our federal wallet is stretched to the limit by illegal aliens getting welfare, food stamps, medical care and other benefits often without paying any taxes…

Safeguards like welfare and free medical care are in place to boost Americans in need of short-term assistance. These programs were not meant to entice freeloaders and scam artists from around the world…

Even worse, Americans have seen heinous crimes committed by individuals who are here illegally."

WOW, what happened, Harry. You seemed so much more intelligent back then! Did 9/11 drain you of your intellect? Was the "Clinton Era" really that much of a negative influence on your party? If you were talking like this today, I would consider actually voting for you!

2 comments:

TexasFred said...

I want to be an American...

Gayle said...

Great find, John, although it's not really surprising. These guys simply change their minds whenever a Republican is in office. Doesn't matter to them what the Republican does, they will take the opposite stance even if it is in agreement with what they really feel. It's truly pathetic!