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Amnesty-Backers Bring Bush Out of Retirement to Push for Bill

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Photo Credit: Reuters Bush says immigration reform ‘complex,’ optimistic Congress can fix ‘broken system’

By Fox News. Former President George W. Bush expressed optimism Sunday that Congress will pass immigration reform legislation, expressing disappointment that his attempt failed but suggesting the timing is now right to “fix a broken system.”

Bush, out of office since 2009, expressed understanding about why the White House and both parties in Congress have wrangled over the issue point-by-point while the rest of America waits for them to resolve the issue of roughly 11 million illegal immigrants living in the United States.

“Sometimes, it takes time for some of these complex issues to evolve, the 67-year-old Republican said in an interview for ABC’s “This Week.” “And it looks like immigration has a chance to pass.”

Bush said immigration reform is very difficult to pass because it has “a lot of moving parts” and the legislative process “can be ugly.” Read more from this story HERE.

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Photo Credit: APChair of House Homeland Security Committee: Senate bill throws ‘candy’ at border

By Kevin Cirilli. The chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee said on Sunday the Senate immigration plan just threw “a bunch of candy” at the border in order to gain votes.

“What the Senate just passed was, again, a bunch of candy thrown down there — a bunch of assets thrown down there to gain votes but without a methodical, smart border approach. We want a smart border and smart immigration plan, something that makes sense,” Rep. Mike McCaul (R-Texas) said on CBS’s “Face The Nation.” Read more from this story HERE.

Fence is 99% Effective for Israel, Why not the US?

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Photo Credit: WNDWhile the merits of building a fence along the USA’s southern border are debated in Congress, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says his nation’s new border fence is working very well, thank you.

In comments spoken Sunday and reported in the Times of Israel, Netanyahu claimed Israel’s new security fence along the Israel-Egypt border has not only stemmed the tide of illegal immigration to Israel, but has also protected the Jewish state from terrorists operating in the Sinai Peninsula.

Every day that passes “underscores how correct and how important the decision was to build the fence in the south,” the prime minister said. “You must remember that this fence is equipped with very advanced means … to protect the State of Israel against the double threat of illegal migration and terrorism from Sinai.”

Netanyahu, speaking publicly ahead of his weekly cabinet meeting, argued the fence has blocked 99 percent of African migrants from reaching Israel.

“In practice, nobody has entered and the few who have arrived did not reach Israel’s cities,” he continued. “The fence has completely stopped illegal migration to Israel, but it also has an additional function – namely counterterrorism.”

Read more from this story HERE.

CBO on Amnesty Bill: Probably Would Not Even Stop Half of Illegal Border Crossings

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Photo Credit: Gregory BullBy Stephen Dinan. Spending $35 billion on new Border Patrol agents and fencing would keep tens of thousands of new illegal immigrants from crossing the border each year, but would still only stop between a third and half of future illegal immigration, according to the Congressional Budget Office’s latest analysis released Wednesday.

The CBO looked at the latest version of the Senate’s immigration bill, which cleared the chamber in a 68-32 vote last week, and said it would reduce but not eliminate illegal immigration.

The “CBO estimates that the net inflow would be reduced by between one-third and one-half compared with the projected net inflow under current law. That effect would not be immediate, as it would take several years before [the Department of Homeland Security] could hire the full number of Border Patrol agents called for in the act,” the nonpartisan agency said in the section of its new analysis dealing with future illegal immigration.

The CBO also had continued good news about an immigration bill’s effects on the federal budget, saying that the additional legal workers will boost the economy and lead to nearly $1 trillion in new tax revenue over the next 20 years.

Wednesday’s analysis was an update to the CBO’s first crack last month at the Senate bill as it emerged from the Judiciary Committee. Read more from this story HERE.

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Photo Credit: APTea Party groups ramp up fight against immigration bill, as August recess looms

By Fox News. After spending weeks dealing with the fallout from the IRS targeting scandal, Tea Party groups are starting to focus their energy on the immigration bill — a development that could imperil President Obama’s hopes for a speedy approval.

Before adjourning for the Fourth of July holiday break, the Senate easily approved its version of the legislation. The bill now rests with the House, where Republicans say they will take up their own version.

Obama, during his Africa trip, called on the House to “get this done” before the August recess.

But House lawmakers already are hearing conservative calls to slow things down. And if the debate leaks into August — when Congress takes a nearly month-long recess — the prospects could get even more wobbly. The Tea Party, during the 2009 August recess, famously helped stall ObamaCare by storming town hall meetings and other events.

Tea Party groups may be preparing to again mount demonstrations during the summer break. And even if the House passes a bill this month, it’s unlikely the two chambers would be able to agree on a unified piece of legislation by August — leaving the work unfinished going into recess. Read more from this story HERE.

Murkowski, Rubio Join With Democrats to Kill Border Fence Amendment to Immigration Bill

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Photo Credit: Reuters

Photo Credit: Reuters

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) said late Tuesday that he supports securing the United States border with Mexico with a double-tiered fence but voted against an amendment to the “Gang of Eight” immigration bill that would have required exactly that.

Rubio and his fellow Gang of Eight Republicans helped the Democrats kill an amendment from Sen. John Thune (R-SD) that would have required the double-tiered fence be built, as current law requires, before amnesty was granted to America’s at least 11 million illegal immigrants. The only other Republican to vote against the amendment was Sen. Lisa Murkowski…

The amendment would have undercut Rubio’s promise to Univision’s Spanish-speaking audience this past weekend that amnesty would come before border security in the end. “First comes the legalization. Then come the measures to secure the border.” He added, “It is not conditional. The legalization is not conditional.”

Read more from this story HERE.

The Proposed Immigration Bill is a Sham if it Doesn’t Secure Our Borders First

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Photo Credit: Irish Central

Photo Credit: Irish Central

There is a one thousand page immigration bill working its way through the US Senate. Buried in those many pages is vague wording that “some day” our borders will be secure….We promise.

We have already seen how this current administration respects our immigration laws, by issuing executive & stand down orders to bypass current law that it doesn’t agree with.

So what will be any different if after amnesty is granted to 11 million illegals, that this administration or the next one will decide to leave the borders alone and unsecured?

We have billions of dollars in illegal drugs being shipped in through our southern border AND it can be crossed at will by anyone that wants to pay a “coyote” to guide them in, or in many places, just walk in.

Of course our borders are pierced illegally in other ways as well, like over staying visas, coming in through the northern border and by ship along our coasts.

But the visible symbol of being serious about illegal immigration is the securing of our porous southern border. Until that border is secure, it is a slap in the face to all American citizens that an immigration bill is even being considered.

The politicians can promise all they want, but we’ve been down this road before.

When it comes to immigration reform, Americans want their borders secured first before anything else on immigration is deployed.

Just like President Reagan said: Trust….But verify

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Ed Farnan is the conservative columnist at IrishCentral, where he has been writing on the need for energy independence, strong self defense, secure borders, 2nd amendment, smaller government and many other issues. His articles appear in many publications throughout the USA and world. He has been a guest on Fox News and a regular guest on radio stations in the US and Europe.

Rubio: Amnesty Guaranteed Under Immigration Bill No Matter What Happens with Border Security

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Photo Credit: AP

Sen. Marco Rubio said Friday that illegal immigrants will get legal status no matter what happens with border security, but said the Senate will have to stiffen enforcement in order to win the 60 votes needed to pass his bill through his chamber.

“Nobody is talking here about preventing legalization. Legalization will take place,” Mr. Rubio told Univision in an interview scheduled to air Sunday.

“First comes legalization, then comes this border security measure and then comes the permanent residency process. What we are talking about here is the permanent residency system,” the Florida Republican said, according to the English translation of the interview.

“Regarding legalization, a vast majority of my colleagues have already accepted that: that it must take place and that it must start at the same time we start with what has to do with security. That is not conditional. Legalization is not conditional.”

As one of the eight authors of the immigration bill, Mr. Rubio is fighting to keep it on track, arguing that it does not have the support to clear a filibuster in the Senate right now. But he said it could earn that support if his colleagues will do more to specify where security will be enhanced.

Read more from this story HERE.

Boston Terror Bombing Shows Glaring Need to Secure our Borders

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Photo Credit: IrishCentral

No matter who or what is behind the terror bombing in Boston, it should put the spotlight on how terribly porous our borders are.

The politicians in Washington tell us there are only 11 million “undocumented” aliens in our country. But many estimates run 3 times higher than that number.

So what is the real truth? Lets suppose it is somewhere in the middle and put the figure at 20 million.

That’s 20 million people who entered our country, most without permission and we do not know who they are, or where they are. That’s a recipe for disaster when it comes to terror potential.

This administration keeps patting itself on the back and saying our borders are more secure now than ever. But the truth is, the job they are doing is totally unacceptable.

We already know there are drug and smuggling corridors openly used between Mexico and our border states. It is relatively easy to cross the border in many areas and that puts our national security at risk. See Congressman Chaffetz report

The many people flooding our borders illegally, are from countries throughout the world. But alarmingly, we see a growing influence in Latin America, of Iran, narco states and jihadism, this potentially can be a huge problem. See article

Out of the 20 million illegals, even if 99% of them are here to work and have a better life for themselves and their families, that leaves 1%, or 200,000 who might have malevolent intent towards us….But we really don’t know do we, we are navigating in the blind.

America should be paying attention to the borders first and foremost before anything else is discussed on immigration. What this administration is saying about secure borders is false and that is verified by ICE officers who are suing the administration because they claim they will be fired if they enforce immigration law. See story. ICE agents are not happy with orders given them regarding border security and immigration policy. See ICE agents.

Many people get into the country legally, yet overstay their visas and become illegal. In most cases we do not know where these folks are or what they are doing. The responsibility for visas should be turned over to the private sector. A credit card company who already has infrastructure and expertise in place, could do a far better job than what is now being done by the government.

There is no country in the world that can survive as a going concern that does not have control of its borders. A country without borders is not a country.

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Ed Farnan is the conservative columnist at IrishCentral, where he has been writing on the need for energy independence, strong self defense, secure borders, 2nd amendment, smaller government and many other issues. His articles appear in many publications throughout the USA and world. He has been a guest on Fox News and a regular guest on radio stations in the US and Europe.

Paul: Immigration Reform Starts with a Secure Border

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Photo Credit: AP

Congress is getting very close to debating comprehensive immigration reform. I am firmly committed to being part of reforming our nation’s immigration laws. Conservatives and liberals agree that our complex immigration system is broken and in need of repair. Although the two sides disagree on solutions, I have three important ideas that should be part of the debate and that should please most Americans.

My “Trust but Verify” plan has three elements: secure the border, secure the vote and secure the taxpayer’s dollar. If these three elements are met, I think, Congress can move forward on a comprehensive plan to reform immigration law.

Securing the border is my first priority. Under my plan, national and border security will move as the first element of any reform and would require annual votes of Congress to establish that the border is truly secure. No other reform can go forward until this happens. In addition to increased border security, our nation needs to modernize our visa system. We need to know who comes and goes on travel, student and other temporary visas. There must be a workable system to ensure that visitors don’t use travel visas as a way to enter the country, then disappear. This will address the problem of visa overstayers.

National security has to be a cornerstone to any border-security and visa-reform initiative. Our nation needs to look back at the 9/11 Commission report and study the recommendations with regard to terrorists’ use of visas to commit acts of violence against America. The Sept. 11 hijackers used visas to enter the country and to stay here while planning their attacks.

Strong border security includes using cutting-edge technology. Satellites, physical barriers, screening to bar criminals and terrorists from entry, increased patrols on the border and yes, surveillance drones all should be part of a comprehensive plan to physically protect the border. My idea is to take specific measures at the border and then have the office of inspector general for the Government Accountability Office produce a report to Congress on the progress of border security.

Read more from this story HERE.

Gov. Perry Says Mexican Drug Cartels Active in Texas, Possibly Responsible for DA's Murders (+video)

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Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore

Texas Gov. Rick Perry on Wednesday raised the issue of border security in regard to the recent murders of two state prosecutors.

When asked about the possible involvement of the Aryan Brotherhood in the killings, the Republican governor said it is too early to speculate about who was behind the killings, but added that it also wouldn’t be wise to overlook any angle.

We know the drug cartels are very, very active in our country now. It goes back … to the whole issue of border security and the failure of the federal government . . .

Watch video here:

Read more from this story HERE.

Illegal Border Crossings Double in Anticipation of DC's Amnesty Deal

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Photo Credit: CBP intelligence

As the immigration reform Gang of Eight inside the Beltway prepares to announce a deal later this week, claiming border security will come before a path to citizenship for millions of illegals, Border Patrol agents have seen illegal border crossings double and warn the cutting of agent work hours will only result in less border security, not more…

“We’ve seen the number of illegal aliens double, maybe even triple since amnesty talk started happening,” an agent told Townhall, who asked to remain unnamed due to fears of retaliation within Customs and Border Protection [CBP], something he said is common. “A lot of these people, although not the majority, are criminals or aggravated felons. This is a direct danger to our communities.”

Data obtained by Townhall and reported within CBP from February 5 through March 1, 2013 shows 504 illegal aliens were spotted exploiting the Tucson/Nogales area, 189 were caught on CBP intelligence cameras. Of those 504, only 174 were apprehended and 32 of the 189 on camera were carrying large drug load packs for Mexican cartels. Some were armed with AK-47 style weapons.

Read more from this story HERE.