Blue Crab Boulevard

No Reason At All

I have said for a long time that there is no reason at all why this nation cannot have both good border security and a liberal immigration policy. I have also said that if the border is secured, a lot of other things can be worked out. Apparently, Fred Thompson feels the same way.

Thompson’s two-pronged plan, which can be found in its entirety at www.fred08.com, is based on two principles: Securing the Border and Enforcing the Law, and Improving the Legal Immigration Process.

Here's the bullet points on enforcement:

No Amnesty. Amnesty undermines U.S. law and policy, rewards bad behavior, and is unfair to the millions of immigrants who follow the law and are awaiting legal entry into the United States.

Attrition through Enforcement. Adding “at least 25,000 agents” to the Border Patrol and doubling the number of ICE agents.

Enforce Existing Federal Laws. Rejecting sanctuary cities by cutting federal discretionary funds to states and local governments that ignore existing immigration laws.

Reduce the Jobs Incentive. Require U.S. employers to use the E-Verify system to determine if a person can legally work here.

Bolster Border Security. Finish building the wall along our border.

Increased Prosecution. Go after coyotes, alien gang members, and criminals.

Rigorous Entry/Exit Tracking.

What's important here is that Thompson also has plans to make it easier for legal immigrants to get here and become Americans. The entire plan is here. This is a realistic platform that could be a real winner for the Republicans. 70% or so of all Americans want the borders secured. This kind of a sensible plan could draw a lot of votes.

Immigration Reform, Politics | Gaius October 23, 2007

By sam, October 23, 2007 @ 2:18 pm

I agree with you and Mr. Thompson.
By mockinbrd, October 23, 2007 @ 3:35 pm

Fred is head and shoulders above the rest of the field.
By Evil Hr Lady, October 23, 2007 @ 5:39 pm

I’ve been very wishy-washy on picking a candidate, but this may just put me firmly in the Fred camp. It seems so obvious, I don’t know why any other politician hasn’t embraced it.
By Jack, October 23, 2007 @ 8:22 pm

“I have said for a long time that there is no reason at all why this nation cannot have both good border security and a liberal immigration policy.”

I’m with you guys.
By FedUp, October 24, 2007 @ 9:03 am

I’m not a Fred fan, but if he could deliver on his platform, I could support him unless this is all rhetoric… Everyone makes promises and talks big to get elected (See Hilary). Fred doesn’t have a real good track record on getting things done.