Barbour’s Immigration Stance: Does It Hurt Him?
Few people would accuse Haley Barbour of being a liberal, but one area where he is sure to hear from conservative critics if he does indeed enter the 2012 dance would be on immigration. In what is now a widely reported on five-part interview with the Hoover Institution’s Uncommon Knowledge, Barbour tacks to the left (or middle I suppose) on immigration similar to George W. Bush and the pre-presidential candidate John McCain.
While this may rattle some conservatives across the country, those who have been following Barbour for some time know he never has been one to talk tough regarding illegal immigration, departing from state leaders such as Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant. In fact, Barbour’s 2007 opponent- John Arthur Eaves- ran to the right of Barbour on the immigration issue. And most recently, Barbour questioned the need for an Arizona-type law in Mississippi that is being pushed by many within the Mississippi GOP.
In his latest interview, Barbour called for a “common-sense” immigration policy, and said this about 10-14 million illegals in the country: “A lot of it is just common sense. And common sense tell us we’re not going to take 10 or 12 or 14 million people and put them in jail or deport them. We’re not going to do it, and we need to quit – some people need to quit acting like we are and let’s talk about real solutions.”
The question is: what does this mean for 2012? Can someone win the Republican nomination by taking the Bush-McCain position on immigration. Barbour is as smart as they come and knows what he is doing. If anything, this just shows that opponents are not going to be able to pigeon-hole the Mississippi governor and his positions are well-thought out and backed with facts.
I support his position 100%. He has my support.
I do not find his comments liberal or even in the middle per se. We must realize we can neither deport 10 milliong illegals nor give 10 million amnesty. The answer to this very complex issue is somewhere in the middle. Demographic trends in this country necessitate legal immigration. I propose we increase legal immigration but with several requirements. Immigrants must learn English and are prohibited from drawing any social services (Medicaid/Medicare, Welfare, unemployment benefits, etc) for five years after becoming a citizen. I would allow new citizens to enroll in public schools though. Just no free/reduced lunches and no federal assistance in post high school eduction. Also, any felony in their first five years and they are deported. I know a lot of details have to be worked out, but something along these lines would increase legal immigration. Also I would pass legislation along with this that says in five years English is the official language and governments and businesses would only be required to use English in their documents/policies, etc. Individuals and private organizations could add other languages but no one will be required. The extra costs some of these bilingual regs cause is enormous.
I don’t see why we can’t deport illegal aliens. I don’t care if it’s a 100 million. They broke the law and are here illegally. We fought a country and much bigger than ours for independence, fought nazis’ and saved Europe, a Japanese attack on our country, an islamic attack on our country. Not to mention the countless money we spend to aid other countries around the world. So, yeah, I think we are up to deporting law breakers who have pissed on our laws.
In many ways I agree with Gov Barbour. It would not be practical to deport this many people. The logistics would be overwhelming. I think what the Governor is driving at is not blanket amnesty, but offering a basic path towards citizenship(and the tax paying rolls}. If the currently illegal immigrants wish to become citzens(and tax payers) then we should have them register a citizenship application and get in line. As long as they do not engage in crime, are trying to take care of themselves and their families, then this avenue should be made available to them. If they do not want to be legal citizens(or tax payers) are involved in crimes and not taking care of their families, and don’t want to learn the basics of the english language and the fundamentals of our laws and customs, then I say warm up the deportation buses. For those who only want the benefits of America but not the responsibilities I say, out with you. I firmly believe that the number of those who desire to be decent, law abiding, contributing, tax paying citizens far out weigh those who merely want to bilk the system. I pray they prove me right and I can then say:”Welcome to America, my fellow citizens.”
Republicans should remember that this was one of the reasons they lost power.
“Can someone win the Republican nomination by taking the Bush-McCain position on immigration?”
Obviously Bush and McCain both did.
Immigration Reform has to start on the border…not with who is here, has been here, etc. If we do not secure the border, any policy will be without merit, and I think Haley realizes this. Sure, talking about deportation and anchor babies make great sound bites , but they do nothing to solve the problem if you do not secure the border.
MSDawg: We throughly agree, we must gain control of our borders in order for any position as to what to do with those here to be valid. As much as I admired Reagan, Ed Meese, has some recent explainations of why the “amnesty” plans of that administration did not work. I beleive Barbour’s emphasis is we need to gain this border control before we even discuss the next step. I suppose I stand some what self corrected having over-looked the obvious main point. Thanks.
I wonder the effect on unemployment, when 20 million new jobs become vacant with the deportation of the Illegal Labor. The people in power would become the champion of the common man. Lets put the common person to work. The sad thing about the down economy is that a hard working construction worker struggles to find work and feed his family. While, companies continue to exploit illegal labor. The worse part to the issue is the poor Latino’s do not understand, their labor is worth more than what they receive.