John Kerry "Bush's policy rewards business over immigrants"

[JI7]

Kerry's response to bush's recent policy plan on immigration.

<"President Bush promised that America's relationship with Latin America would be a centerpiece of his foreign policy. Until now, he has ignored that promise, breaking faith with Hispanic Americans and Latin America. Bush has also failed to follow through on his promise to work with Vicente Fox, leaving that relationship in tatters.

"Bush's policy rewards business over immigrants by providing them with a permanent pool of disenfranchised temporary workers who could easily be exploited by employers. Bush's proposal fails to address the plight of immigrants coming to work in the United States by not providing a meaningful path to becoming legal permanent residents. And if Bush is really concerned about the plight of immigrants coming to work in the United States he should tell his party to stop the heartless and divisive politics the Republican Party is employing in California to get a new Prop 187 on the ballot for next year's election, and a similar effort in Arizona to victimize immigrants for the failures of government and an unstable economy.
"As president, I will support sensible reform of our immigration system that protects workers and also provides employers with the employees that they need. I will immediately resume our dialogue with President Fox and put in place an earned legalization program that will allow undocumented immigrants to legalize their status if they have been in the United States for a certain amount of time, have been working, and can pass a background check. This makes sense for the economy, provides fairness to people in our communities who have worked hard and paid taxes, and will also allow us to strengthen our homeland security by bringing undocumented workers out of the shadows and into the light of greater accountability." >

http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/releases/pr_2004_0107b.html

[blm]

1. Yep...he always gets right to the reality of the issue.

.

[curse10]

2. I'm glad someone else thinks Bush's plan is crap!

When I first saw the headline I thought "this can't be true! greencards for workers!?" And I was right. Immigrants don't get automatic green cards, they just get the shaft.

[saltpoint]

3. I like it that --

-- Bush's policy was just out of the barn and Kerry opened fire. Bush's policy is as bad as Kerry says it is and it's flagrantly political, too -- Bush wants those Hispanic voters he ignored for 3 years. Shame on the Bush administration for the way they've treated our neighbors.

[JI7]

4. of course

as if he ever cared about the people. his policies have always been aimed at how it could help him get votes.

[blm]

10. That's true. Big difference when you calculate policy

to get you votes and when you construct policy because it's the right thing to do.

[blm]

5. Because he knows the issues inside and out

and is PREPARED for a general election battle and to be President

[sandnsea]

6. Kerry's been on this for years

He's always supported a fair immigration policy and has worked on this issue to help immigrants and their families as well. Looks like he cut through the shit one more time and calls it like it is, exploitation, pure and simple.

[JI7]

9. yup

knows the issues well and can respond quickly with details.

[blm]

7. EXPLOITATION people...let's use that word for Bush's policy.

.

[JohnKleeb]

8. brilliant

I like Kerry's statement on this too.