From Rep. Steve King –
“Immigration reform” is the catchphrase describing any potential law legalizing millions of illegal border crossers and visa-overstayers. “Comprehensive immigration reform” would combine legalization with enhanced border security, visa reform, and increased interior enforcement. Inevitably, proposed reform is couched as a trade off: immediate amnesty in exchange for reforms that may or may not come to fruition. The stakes of the debate are high, and this emotionally charged Washington DC chess game depends on politics, personalities, elections, procedure, and journalism.
Since no form of legalization will stand up to public scrutiny, so I bring the terms of the debate to you in the clearest, most honest language available to me. I will define “amnesty”, “citizenship” and the “rule of law,” and share my conclusions about all three relative to the current immigration debate.
Amnesty – Currently, between 12 and 20 million people live in the United States, yet are undocumented by the United States government. They knowingly, willfully, and illegally placed themselves or voluntarily remain in this condition, currently enjoy access to the strongest economy on the planet, and the vast majority are free from any legal consequences. The injustice stemming from what I have just described is visited upon Americans and those waiting around the world for a legal opportunity to come here. Furthermore, in light of the present debate and the passage of the Senate’s bill, those 12 to 20 million people are candidates for the ultimate reward: American citizenship.
I define amnesty as pardoning lawbreakers and rewarding them with the desired object that caused them to commit that crime. In this case, that object is lawful presence and American citizenship. Citizenship is precisely what is proposed by the Senate’s Gang of Eight Bill. In this sense, amnesty is not merely forgiveness of a crime, but a reward for having committed the crime.
Citizenship — A child is not born with the intrinsic quality of citizenship, it is bestowed by a government. Many times, citizenship is granted at the moment a baby draws his or her first breath, but in some cases it is bestowed much later in life. American citizenship is one of the greatest blessings available to anyone who walks the earth today. American citizens have the right to vote, to serve on a jury and to run for office, which makes them active participants in the most influential government known to man. They have access to Social Security and Medicare, and a safety net that includes unemployment benefits and food stamps. Their safety is ensured by the strongest fighting force in history. Their speech, right to assemble, free exercise of religion, right to bear arms, security against unreasonable search and seizure, and guarantee of a trial by jury are all protected by the Constitution. Those freedoms and liberties all become the birthright of American children as well.
The Rule of Law — In light of these descriptions, consider that the Senate’s bill, if enacted, would give those gifts to most of the 12 to 20 million illegals. These lawbreakers are in a position to receive this generosity because they committed a crime: either illegally crossing the border or illegally staying past the expiration date of their visa. When this occurs, justice will be turned on its head and the rule of law will be forever tarnished – illegal immigrants will be rewarded for breaking it.
The rule of law is the pillar upon which all our rights as Americans are upheld, it is the only way we can guarantee those rights, and is the greatest protection against injustice ever conceived. That description should make every American proud and humbled, but it should lead us to jealously guard it, not sacrifice it at the altar of political expediency.
With the terms clearly defined, take a step back and assess the implications of the amnesty plan being proposed in Washington, DC. Ignore the procedural chess match and the political horse race, and decide what is best for Americans and the republic at large. This American is prepared to oppose amnesty in all of its forms because the rule of law is of great importance and the consequences of betraying it are massive. No trade off – let alone legalization for illusory border protections — is worth that price, and I hope my colleagues in the House share the courage of that conviction.
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Steve King is a Bigot and a Dinosaur who gives Iowa a bad name and Gee, look who was eager to get a photo op with him… “Bookie”. Great minds think alike!
I wondered about that too. You can see in the photo that King and Bookmeyer are laughing it up. They must be great friends.
I’s the Democrats who use hate and lack civility in their politics. Your hate filled comments are just another example of that.
Rep. King, keep up the good work!
Bookmeyer is an Agenda 21 supporter that is as far left as you can get. He is a chameleon that masquerades as a Republican but is a Democrat through and through.
They are known as RINO’s: Republican In Name Only!
John – name calling instead of actual discussion of issues is so left wing progressive. When the truth is told, particularly in a colorful manner, your emotional response rises to the top blocking out reason.
It is time to quit killing the messenger and listen.
Did you know AIDS has created a large population orphaned children in Africa?
Why not consider adopting a black child into a nice Christian family’s right here in Iowa?
what a screwy comment
Thank you Rep. King for explaining your views and the ramifications of the amnesty debacle.
It is good that you make your views known as the Democrats and their press has been after your hide on this one. The Democrats are hoping they can tarnish you enough so you will not win another election and they can replace you with a left wing loon.
On the issue of amnesty I support your position. With that said I also have some concerns about our countries lack of oversight regarding illegal Mexican’s pouring into America for such a long time. 12 to 20 million didn’t happen overnight. American employers have enjoyed their cheap labor. The lure of a job even with the abuse of being used as a cheap laborer is better for those that come illegally then staying home and living in poverty. We get that.
It would be my hope that this amnesty would be voted down in its current form. There should be no path to citizenship for illegals without a serious consequence.
With that said, I do want some kind of path for those that are here because of our Federal Government’s purposeful blind eye to this travesty for such a long time. At some level the Federal Government has encouraged it. Sorry, that is just the way it is.
My 2 cents:
Illegal Mexican’s that have come to American in this fashion should only be eligible as a candidate for “Limited Citizenship”. I don’t have a problem acknowledging their presence and contribution to the labor force. What I do have is allowing them the gift of voting. Like felons who have their voting privileges taken from them, illegal Mexican’s would have to earn that right by waiting in line and going through our normal process for citizenship. They could still earn that right to vote but not enjoy that privilege immediately.
I also don’t have a problem with a fine and other restrictions that have been proposed. I clearly do have a problem with allowing them to vote. 12 to 20 million, voting in concert as a block is too much power to give to any group is such a fashion. They could easily change our way of life if they put their minds to it. I am not willing to risk that. Illegals living here do not understand the sacrifices American’s have endured to make this country what it is!
Let’s be honest here, giving illegals voting rights is why this is such a “political” issue. That and along with the extremely high cost of so many becoming eligible for ALL of America’s welfare benefits.
It is my wishes this bill would be voted down and goes back to the drawing board and think this thing through in a much healthier fashion.
Be aware there are a lot of us out here that watch in bewilderment at the way this has all come about. Make no mistake; while we in the cheap seats are powerless, we still think this whole debacle is a “head shaker”.
Thanks again for sharing your views!