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Here is Gov. Huckabee’s immigration plan
The Secure America Plan
A 9-Point Strategy for Immigration Enforcement and Border Security
Overview: Implement a broad-based strategy that commits the resources of the federal government to the enforcement of our immigration laws and results in the attrition of the illegal immigrant population.
1. Build the Fence
- Ensure that an interlocking surveillance camera system is installed along the border by July 1, 2010.
- Ensure that the border fence construction is completed by July 1, 2010.
2. Increase Border Patrol
- Increase the number of border patrol agents.
- Fully support all law enforcement personnel tasked with enforcing immigration law.
3. Prevent Amnesty
- Policies that promote or tolerate amnesty will be rejected.
- Propose to provide all illegal immigrants a 120-day window to register with the Bureau of Citizenship and immigration Services and leave the country. Those who register and return to their home country will face no penalty if they later apply to immigrate or visit; those who do not return home will be, when caught, barred from future reentry for a period of 10 years.
4. Enforce the Law on Employers
- Employment is the chief draw for most illegal immigrants and denying them jobs is the centerpiece of an attrition strategy.
- Impose steep fines and penalties on employers that violate the law.
- Institute a universal, mandatory citizenship verification system as part of the normal hiring process.
- Prevent the IRS and the Social Security Administration from accepting fraudulent Social Security numbers or numbers that don’t match the employees’ names.*
5. Establish an Economic Border
- Move toward passage of the FairTax.
- The FairTax provides an extra layer of security by creating an economic disincentive to immigrate to the U.S. illegally.
6. Empower Local Authorities
- Promote better cooperation on enforcement by supporting legislative measures such as the CLEAR Act, which aims to systematize the relationship between local law and federal immigration officials.
- Encourage immigration-law training for police. Local authorities must be provided the tools, training, and funding they need so local police can turn illegal immigrants over to the federal authorities.
7. Ensure Document Security
- End exemptions for Mexicans and Canadians to the US-VISIT program, which tracks the arrival and departure of foreign visitors. Since these countries account for the vast majority of foreigners coming here (85 percent), such a policy clearly violates Congress’ intent in mandating this check-in/check-out system.
- Reject Mexico’s “matricula consular” card, which functions as an illegal-immigrant identification card.
8. Discourage Dual Citizenship
- Inform foreign governments when their former citizens become naturalized U.S. citizens.
- Impose civil and/or criminal penalties on American citizens who illegitimately use their dual status (e.g., using a foreign passport, voting in elections in both a foreign country and the U.S.).
9. Modernize the Process of Legal Immigration
- Eliminate the visa lottery system and the admission category for adult brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens.
- Increase visas for highly-skilled and highly-educated applicants.
- Expedite processing for those who serve honorably in the U.S. Armed Forces.
- Improve our immigration process so that those patiently and responsibly seeking to come here legally will not have to wait decades to share in the American dream. Governor Huckabee has always been grateful to live in a country that people are trying to break into, rather than break out of.
December 6th, 2007 at 3:18 pm
The Huckster wants the “attrition of the illegal immigrant population”? Is that what Jesus would do?
December 6th, 2007 at 3:20 pm
10. Offer in-state tuition breaks to illegal immigrants.
December 6th, 2007 at 3:21 pm
These are all good talking points with regards to immigration (mostly common sense and preseneted in one form or another by all other candidates).
However I have a problem with his amnesty point. I can’t see how he can promote this and at the same time offer tuition based scholarships to illegals. Let’s forget whether providing these scholarships is good policy for moment and address the students when they graduate.
1. If they are seeking a white collar job, who will be able to hire them?
2. If we give them 120 days to apply for citizenship and leave the country, then why did we educate them at tax payers expense?
The only way that offering in state tuition scholarships, to illegals, makes sense is to put them on the fastrack to citizenship, i.e. “amnesty” which is in contrast to the other point “Policies that promote or tolerate amnesty will be rejected”
December 6th, 2007 at 3:21 pm
rayinNH – you type faster than me!
December 6th, 2007 at 3:28 pm
Huck has finally come out with an immigration plan? Too bad he has little credibility on this issue.
December 6th, 2007 at 3:30 pm
[...] Well the rebuttal has arrived. Hat tip: Race42008 [...]
December 6th, 2007 at 3:30 pm
I really like the plan. He got my vote.
December 6th, 2007 at 3:35 pm
He carries no weight on immigration. Where’s the part about providing scholarships to illegals children? It will be fun to see how he will be able to say with any truth to it that he holds consistant positions.
December 6th, 2007 at 3:38 pm
If another candidate had put forward this plan, Huckabee would call it meanspirited. And tying the absurd Fair Tax to his immigration plan is a real stretch. He has no credibility on this issue.
December 6th, 2007 at 3:41 pm
where are the check marks, Rett?
December 6th, 2007 at 3:41 pm
Could this be called a “flip-flop”?
December 6th, 2007 at 3:42 pm
# 10. Give illegals tuition breaks.
December 6th, 2007 at 3:42 pm
Very unserious proposal, aimed at doing nothing but massaging the erogenous zones of that portion of the body politic that is anti-immigrant.
Removing millions of workers from our economy would be a momumental economic disaster. It would destroy tens of thousands of small businesses.
No one who fails to address that reality is in any way serious about this issue.
Any growing and robust economy needs unskilled or low-skilled workers.
Our laws do not allow the admission of anything near the number that our economy needs.
And so they come illegally.
You either destroy the economy, or you face the fact that these people are needed for our continued prosperity.
The first thing to do must be to establish legal channels for low-skilled workers to meet the needs of our economy.
Once you do that, the problems on the border get reduced enormously. The overwhelming majority of illegals come here to work. No work, they dont come. IF there is work and a legal channel, they will use it. At that point, border enforcement would be much easier, since the numbers would be drastically lower, and it would be politiclaly non-problematical, since the only border-crossers then would be people up to no good.
December 6th, 2007 at 3:43 pm
I like the Erik in #8 vs. the one in 7.
December 6th, 2007 at 3:45 pm
How exactly does this differ from everyone else’s plan?
December 6th, 2007 at 3:45 pm
We should enforce 4 on Romney.;)
December 6th, 2007 at 3:46 pm
I want to hear more about Huckabee’s proposal to abolish the IRS as he claimed he’d do during the last debate. Please outline a detailed proposal as to how Mike intends to pull that one off..
December 6th, 2007 at 3:52 pm
sorry jeff … it probably says more about how much time i spend online during work than how quick of a typer i am
December 6th, 2007 at 3:54 pm
#17, I agree that it would be difficult. Education of the public would be the way to get it done. Just as the immigration issues were stopped by public opinion, the Fair Tax could be forced through congress by public opinion.
Huckabee is able to articulate his message to the American people, something that Bush has struggled with.
December 6th, 2007 at 3:57 pm
Tano #13 – i would believe ur point if there wasn’t a 4% unemployment rate in this country … there are plenty of American, citizen workers available – they’re all just too lazy to get a labor job and because this country is so F’ed up when it comes to government hand outs they’d rather just stay at home and steal my tax dollars. when the unemployment rate in the USA is at 0% then i’ll start thinking about guest worker permits
December 6th, 2007 at 3:57 pm
#16,
I agree that we should enforce #4, as does Romney. Don’t let the facts confuse you. You, of course, refer to the “Lawn Care Scandal”. Given that it’s a requirement (Federal and State) of employers to verify the legal employment status of their employees, it’s certainly a stretch (if not flat out disingenuous) to suggest that Romney should be responsible for doing so.
December 6th, 2007 at 3:57 pm
Well folks,
Can’t argue much with this plan. Got to help him with people who think he is “soft” on illegal immigration.
Guess McCain,Huck,Rudy at all are “seeing the light” on this issue.
Got to keep our fingers crossed they will keep their word. Looks like all our serious candidates are tougher than Bush on illegal immigration.
I am cautiously encouraged!
December 6th, 2007 at 3:58 pm
I agree that Huckabee is better able to
communicate his ideas than either Bush
could do. However, I am not a fan of the
fair tax and prefer the flat tax. The
best part of this plan is that it is a plan
that speaks to Huckabee’s commitment to
secure the borders and address illegal
immigration.
December 6th, 2007 at 4:00 pm
“i would believe ur point if there wasn’t a 4% unemployment rate”
You should believe my point because there IS a 4% unemployment rate.
That is pretty close to effective full employment.
There will always be some people on unemployment as they go between jobs – 4% is historically low, and it is very hard to get much lower.
December 6th, 2007 at 4:03 pm
Nutskabee record speak for itself.
December 6th, 2007 at 4:03 pm
#21, I was being facetious. I was a funny.
December 6th, 2007 at 4:03 pm
RayinNH, I can’t believe I’m agreeing with a liberal over you on an economic issue, but Tano is right.
December 6th, 2007 at 4:04 pm
Check out this little clip about Huck explaining his surge, and tell us what you think.
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2007/12/god-wants-me-as.html
December 6th, 2007 at 4:07 pm
Tano,
Who do you support? JM
December 6th, 2007 at 4:08 pm
Pete,
“Please outline a detailed proposal as to how Mike intends to pull that one off..”
Step 1. Layoff all IRS employees.
Step 2. Sell off all IRS buildings
Step 3. Save Americans 1.6 billion hours and $200 billion in tax code compliance.
(actually number 3 isn’t really a step but more of a benefit)
December 6th, 2007 at 4:09 pm
Huckabee strong now on immigration? Is that strong on immigration like how he is strong on paroles?
As we’ve told you before, he has issued more than 700 pardons and commutations during his eight years in office – more than 137 this year alone – and more than his three predecessors combined.
Here are the figures for neighboring states since 1996, when Huckabee took office (and keep in mind the population of these states is nearly 20 times ours):
- Louisiana – 213.
- Mississippi – 24.
- Missouri – 79.
- Oklahoma – 178.
- Tennessee – 32.
- Texas – 98 (in-cludes 36 inmates released because they were convicted on drug charges with planted evidence).
TOTAL: 624 vs. Huckabee’s 703.
December 6th, 2007 at 4:12 pm
#31, Maybe like Mitt on abortion?
December 6th, 2007 at 4:12 pm
MWS:
As much as I dislike the IRS, I don’t think that it is practice to just can the entire dept & sell off all their buildings.
That is not much different than Ron Paul Rhetoric, but he succeeds at throwing meat to the dogs..
December 6th, 2007 at 4:14 pm
#33, It can be done as I said in #19.
December 6th, 2007 at 4:17 pm
#2 AMEN
December 6th, 2007 at 4:20 pm
Metro – I can’t believe it either … there are still too many lazy ass welfare whores who could be out picking cabbage and carrots … 4% might be a “good” number but I don’t buy into it … i see too many folks lazying around with NO desire to ever find a job – they just wanna keep getting those checks
December 6th, 2007 at 4:22 pm
Ray, you do? post welfare reform? where?
December 6th, 2007 at 4:24 pm
ummm — all over NH, now that the libs are in charge around here … relaxed all of the welfare reform laws … not to mention every time i drive into and around Boston as well as Lowell, Lawrence, Haverhill, Methuen, and the list goes on Mass
December 6th, 2007 at 4:26 pm
The urban homeless are another story. They are mentally ill. Mexicans are eager to work on your property and earn a living for themselves and their families.
December 6th, 2007 at 4:29 pm
He lost me with trying to tie in the FAIR tax on this thing. What’s the point of doing that when no one’s even sure how much of the fair tax could get throught the senate?
December 6th, 2007 at 4:30 pm
1. Build the Fence
2. Install a revolving door
If Huckabee can’t be hard on REAL criminals, are we supposed to believe he’s going to be tough on illegal immigrants, whom he so lovingly speaks about?
December 6th, 2007 at 4:33 pm
i’ve never doubted the illegals work ethic but they are still criminals and i think you are a little bit over-reaching (i’m sure for the 1st time ever) on the urban mentally ill claim – and not all welfare whores are in urban settings
December 6th, 2007 at 4:34 pm
Can you apply to become an illegal immigrant? They get better benefits than I do?
December 6th, 2007 at 4:36 pm
Pete,
There is something seriously wrong when intelligent, educated, honest people acting in good faith have to have so much fear and anxiety over a possible mistake.
December 6th, 2007 at 4:36 pm
http://fred08.com/virtual/Immigration.aspx
please go to this link and put the two immigration plans side by side on your monitor. You tell me who is tougher on border security. Tell me whose plan is more detailed. Tell me if you agree with Mike or Fred.
December 6th, 2007 at 4:37 pm
#41, You mean like enforcing the death penalty as he has.
December 6th, 2007 at 4:38 pm
I think we can tell from Ray’s general tone exacly how reliable his perspective is. Clearly he has some other issues.
For the record:
For Oct. 2007, the unemploment rate in Manchester NH is 2.9%
In Boston metro, it is 3.5%
These are microscopic rates.
December 6th, 2007 at 5:00 pm
I dont see a thing about SPEAKING ENGLISH in there. (???)
December 6th, 2007 at 5:08 pm
Huckabee the genious.
More things Huckabee is up to date on…
Oof! Huck Busted On Immigration Plan
Hmmm, let’s see:
Propose to provide all illegal immigrants a 120-day window to register with the Immigration and Naturalization Service and leave the country.
OOPS – must have been written by the guy that didn’t brief him on the NIE.
The United States Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) was a part of the United States Department of Justice and handled legal and illegal immigration and naturalization. It ceased to exist on March 1, 2003.
Found on riehlworldview.com
December 6th, 2007 at 5:10 pm
Erik,
It’s “genius,” not “genious.”
December 6th, 2007 at 5:11 pm
Yeah, even pro-amnesty John McCain is saying his top priority is securing the border.
They can all say whatever the hell they want to say, but we are fools if we put more weight into their “plans†than we do into their past actions and statements from BEFORE they were running for President.
And that is where the Huckster really sucks a**. He wants us to give free education to illegals because he has the notion that is the “Christian†thing to do. Likewise his views on other social services – he says cutting off social services for illegals is unchristian! Where the hell he gets that idea I don’t know. The 10 commandments say, “Thou shall not steal.†Yet that is exactly how this jack ass would pay for his “Christian†goodwill – by stealing it out of my paycheck. Taxes are not voluntary, they are mandatory. Mandatory means no choice. Where there is no choice, there can be no morality.
But he is all about mandating all sorts of bullshit, so he has no problem with removing choice. He is for a nationwide ban on smoking in public places. If he is willing to go that far for “public healthâ€, what will be next? Making cheeseburgers illegal?
Huckabee is nothing more than a Republican version of Jimmy Carter. He wants to use the coercive powers of the state to fund HIS Christian goodwill. I say, shove your Christian goodwill right up your ass, Huck!
December 6th, 2007 at 5:20 pm
IAHAWK,
The non-violent parts of your post weren’t terribly accurate, but I can see you are a person not to be trifled with, so I’ll leave it at that.
December 6th, 2007 at 5:24 pm
#50 HAHA…thanks for giving me a warning and not a ticket.
December 6th, 2007 at 7:05 pm
Huckabee praises Clinton in the GQ article:
What did Clinton do right?
He signed NAFTA….
December 6th, 2007 at 9:54 pm
Tommy (#40)-
To clear up the FairTax link – Illegals still entering the country would be hurt since they would be paying taxes just as everyone else (since we would have moved to a sales tax system), but would not be receiving the monthly prebate check sent to American households. This prebate is to ensure that you do not pay taxes on the essentials (food, heat, etc.), and if you are not in the country legally (i.e. – are in the Social Security / citizenship database), you would not be receiving a check. That’s the FairTax link to immigration