Schumer takes Kennedy’s role on immigration, though ‘a little more moderate’

August

I had a chance this morning to ask Sen. Chuck Schumer about the prospects for a comprehensive immigration bill, something he has pledged to introduce this year as head of the immigration subcommittee. Schumer took the lead on immigration reform at the request of the late Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy. Today he noted that his own approach would be somewhat different.

“I’m not doing it quite the way he did. I’m a little more moderate than he is on some of these things. But getting the job done is what he wanted,” Schumer said after a news conference in White Plains.

The new bill will have a greater emphasis on enforcement, he said. I asked about the complaints from immigrant advocates that the administration is sending mixed signals as it expands the 287(g) police program and maintains the system of detention.

“You have to be tough on enforcing, because the American people will be fair and open and generous on legal immigration if they’re convinced their isn’t future wave after wave after wave of illegal immigrant,” Schumer said.

About the bill: “It’ll be aware of need for immigrants, and aware of the importance of immigrants. All of the people we’ve talked to, business, labor, liberal, conservative, are saying get something done and do it smartly. Even Lou Dobbs, who is anti-immigration, he had some positive words to say about the approach we’re taking.”

This entry was posted on Monday, August 31st, 2009 at 12:55 pm by Leah Rae.
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4 Responses to “Schumer takes Kennedy’s role on immigration, though ‘a little more moderate’”

Jo AnnF August 31st, 2009 at 2:16 pm
The key here is LEGAL immigration and enforcement of laws against those who are here illegally. For too long we have looked the other way and all that has been accomplished is larger and larger waves of illegals which are a true burden on the taxpayers. Illegal women giving birth to a child here when she herself is here illegally should not be rewarded with costly benefits. If she is here illegally, that child is illegal as well. Lets see how fast that cuts down on the waves of illegals. If you don’t contribute to the system, you should not be entitled to benefits. I can’t go to a bank and take out money I didn’t put in, this should work the same way.
Al Martino August 31st, 2009 at 2:40 pm
The main problem is that people do not trust their government officials on this issue. It is well known that our government, in cahoots with the agri giants, began the problem by allowing ‘guest workers’, persons that ostensibly would return, or be returned, south of the border after the harvest. Said persons voted with their feet, have been followed by newcomers, and are a blight to many towns, reducing the quality of life and property values for rightful citizens.

But back to our government. American citizens, in the main, want the problem solved. Rebublicans and Democrats alike are all for ‘amnesty’, non enforcement, and basically any policy except what ‘we the people’ are clamoring for. Mr. Schumer is known to New Yorkers as being a smooth talker, a slick politician. But really, I haven’t spoken to anyone that expects him to do anything but mouth some words someone vetted for him, talking points, then move on.

We are stuck with the problem our un-responsive elected officials have foisted on us. Note, WE are stuck with the problem. The illegals are not usually found in the wealthy communities which house our politicians and their families.

Mr. Schumer, are you a liar? What is your true intent? Do you desire illegals to be removed back to their countries? Vote NO (that you are not a liar) and YES (that your intent is truly to enforce our laws and protect your rightful consituents (i.e., citizens)...or you too face getting ‘chucked’...out of office.
nyc September 1st, 2009 at 1:21 am
Schumer’s approach to this is terrible. He wants to build in a national biometric identity card that ALL Americans are going to have to get, not just immigrants. This is a real National ID card system.

If Schumer is championing his support from the nativist Lou Dobbs, Democrats have a real problem. This is leadership?

If Schumer’s approach to immigration is the best the Democrats have, we’re all in trouble. Even Gillibrand is looking better on these issues than him. Can’t somebody else who actually supports immigrants’ rights and the rights of all Americans take the lead on this? Menendez? Feingold?
BULLDOG September 1st, 2009 at 8:16 am
nyc again immigrants should only have rights if they are
here legally. Illegals should have NO rights at all. What
do you propose nyc another giant amnesty that rewards millions of law breakers and will only bring millions more?
Don’t worry about Schumer he is a liar and a cheat. All he
wants is amnesty and nothing more. The ID cards are just
a scam so people will buy into his trash.

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