Lindsey Graham: Yeah This Whole Look At Birthright Citizenship Is An Effort To Get Conservatives To Sign Onto Comprehensive Immigration Reform

As most expected, Lindsey didn't have an epiphany when it comes to amnesty, he's just trying to sweeten the pot for conservatives and border enforcement supporters.

FOSTER: Isn’t a bit of this, frankly, strategic? Aren’t you looking for ways to bring conservatives on board with the more comprehensive immigration reform that you favor? Is that fair to say?

GRAHAM: Yeah, I think it’s fair to say that I need to go home to South Carolina and say: listen, I know we’re all upset that we have 12-14 million people illegally. I’m going to have to be practical. We’re not going to deport or jail 12-14 million people. A practical solution is not awarding this citizenship on day one, but to allow them to stay here on our terms, learn our language, pay a fine, hold a job, and apply for citizenship through the legal process by getting in the back of the legal line.

That to me is a practical solution. But, I have to be able to say, as part of doing that, we looked at all the incentives that led to the 12-13 million coming, and we changed them. That we did secure our border, unlike any other time in the past, that we now have laws that make it possible to verify employment; we now have a temporary worker program that will allow people to come here and work on our terms temporarily, and help our employers with labor when they can’t find American labor. I have to be able to say that, because I think most Americans are willing to clean this mess up. They’re not willing to perpetuate it.

Look, I'm all for being wooed and a secure border, strong employer verification, no amnesty for criminals and an end to birthright citizenship (for the record, I lean towards supporting that but I'm not 100% on board with it. I simply haven't thought about it enough) is a pretty attractive package. If we can get it. Right now though, we don't have any of it. It doesn't look like Democrats will even give Graham his hearing on this. (How's all that bi-partisan good will working out for you Lindsey?)

If there's going to be a grand deal cut, and that is a gigantic if, the liberals are going to have to bite the bullet and give us our stuff first. We've been down the road of amnesty now, enforcement never.

To begin with, amending the Constitution is a BFD and takes a good long time with no guarantees the states will buy in. Congress simply taking up the matter or even passing an amendment, isn't good enough.

Consider what Ronald Reagan wrote in his diaries about the 1986 amnesty bill...

“Al Simpson came by to see if he had my support. After 5 years of trying (during which I’ve been on his side) the House finally passed his immigration bill. They have one or two amendments we could do without but even if the Senate in conference cannot get them out, I’ll sign it. It’s high time we regained control of our borders and his bill will do this.”

Or you know, not.

So for the amnesty proponents out there...after you.

Unless and until we get all our stuff into law and working, I think we have to look to a wise figure for his take on this Graham led deal in the making.

I hope that turns out not be the case but I'm not an optimist.

Added: This is interesting....

If not U.S. birth, what would determine U.S. citizenship?

Republicans have suggested that at least one of a child's parents must either be a U.S. citizen or an alien admitted for permanent residence, in order for a U.S.-born child to receive citizenship. That's the crux of the Birthright Citizenship Act of 2009, originally introduced by Rep. Nathan Deal before he resigned to run for governor of Georgia, which Miller is now sponsoring. The bill has 93 cosponsors, including one Democrat, Rep. Gene Taylor of Mississippi.

A constitutional amendment addressing birthright citizenship, according to a Senate aide, would likely specify that Congress has the power to delineate citizenship requirements; it would not enumerate citizenship requirements in the Constitution itself.

Graham does not appear to have any language drafted yet. It's just an idea.

So an amendment could pass that doesn't specifically repeal Birthright Citizenship but just says if Congress feels like it, they can. Or not. Whatever.

Sure, there would be a lot of pressure to pass something in the wake of an amendment but there would also be a lot to not change things. Meanwhile, let's welcome 10-15 (or more) million newly amnestied citizens.

Definitely leaning towards TRAP!

posted by DrewM. at 06:53 PM

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