Speech #1100054093

It is simply not true in many cases. The young man who ran past the National Guard out at the border somewhere last December is going to be given amnesty here in this country. The American people want us to treat the illegal alien population compassionately. I do believe. but there is no reason to lump all illegal aliens. regardless of when and how they got here or how deep their roots are. into the same amnesty program. Last years Senate bill would have given illegal aliens amnesty if they could prove they had been in the United States since January 7. 2004. A lot of people want us to believe that this is a tougher bill than last years bill. At least last year they said you had to have been in the country by January 7. 2004. This year the bill expanded the amnesty window by 3 years to 2007. Under this years bill. illegal aliens who have rushed across the border in the last few years. including those who came 5 months ago. will be given all the amnesty benefits as those who have been living here for decades. have U.S. citizens in schools. and have been good workers. The January 7. 2004 date. why was that date selected last year as a cutoff date? It was important because that was when President Bush first gave his speech saying we needed a lawful system of comprehensive reform of immigration in America. We knew that when he gave that speechanid he was talking about amnesty for people here illegallythat that would encourage more people to try to come into the country so they could be provided amnesty too. So they cut off the dates and said: If you came in after the Presidents speech. you cant get the advantage of the amnesty.