Republicans Push Immigration Measure To Take Focus Off Health Care

McClatchy :

Immigration, an issue placed on the congressional backburner by attempts to revamp the nation's health care system, is percolating again as Republican lawmakers are pushing a measure that would require U.S. Census forms to include a question about the citizenship status of respondents.

An amendment by Sens. David Vitter, R-La, and Bob Bennett, R-Utah, to freeze Census Bureau funds if it doesn't add the citizenship question to more than 425 million forms before the once-a-decade count begins in April has divided Latino groups, as well as some opponents of comprehensive immigration legislation.

Read the whole story: McClatchy

Comments

[nee]

All ILLEGAL ALIENS should go back to their own countries to answer the Census questions. We would have BILLIONS of dollars to spend on health care and other issues if we didn't spend tax payer dollars on ILLEGALS!

[EconPadawan]

"to freeze Census Bureau funds if it doesn't add the citizenship question to more than 425 million forms"

I wonder what an illegal would say when they come across this question? "Hmmm...am I a citizen or not?......ok, you got me! No, i'm an illegal."

[dfranz]

This is such a Republicanism. Set up a straw man issue, make sure the people affected are powerless and then hammer on it ad nauseum.

I recommend that the Census Bureau also ask every citizen if he or she has ever been on the DC Madam's speed dial.

[christopherflynn]

vitter, bennett...two religious fanatics whom you can really trust...just ask j*e**s*us...

[tnkeating]

In reality most religious groups are supporting amnesty for all illegal immigrants by a move by Chuck Schummer to build a coalition of religious groups and the NEA to try to pass legislation in January of 2010, no one is trying to take there eye off healthcare, its more like we are trying to keep up with what they are trying to sneak by. They won't need to add the question if all illegals are legal, but it surely won't help the unemployment numbers or for that matter the stress it will put on our welfare system in general, along with the millions more that will flood in once they see they might get amnesty too, and of course the family members of the newly declaired legals would be alowed to come in to. So if you want your union buddies to keep there jobs or if you are currently unemployed write to your congressman and your church leaders and express your outrage. I have nothing against these people and I have working freinds that are illegal, and I feel for them, but there are millions of Americans out of work myself included who don't need the competition of getting a job, let alone the stress on our tax system.

[christopherflynn]

Your comments are well-taken...the more pressing issue, in my opinion, is the public option for universal healthcare. I happen to reside in CA and many of the "so-called" illegals perform jobs that even unemployed american workers refuse to do. The immigrants also pay their taxes and only trying to support their families. Remember, your and my ancestors also were immigrants, unless you're Native American...

[Duppy]

They are a bunch of losers. I bet when the time comes to vote on a immigration bill, they will say "NO"

[Icantbelieveher]

Can we also include this question?

Do you work for a company that employs illegals?

Start fining the companies that employ illegals, then you eliminate the magnet! As long as there are jobs here for them, they will keep coming!

[Duppy]

how about " Rethugs. Which one of you voted for Sotomayor ? "

[lagumbo]

This is what's wrong with the repubdogs. No policies just fear mongering, hate tactics and diversions.

[jusasoldier]

incredible....but please please please keep it up....there won't be anyone left to vote republican except the 20% crackpot base they're catering to....awesome

[billhodges]

Deport all of the illegal immigrants now and we will see a positive shift in costs of the government as these people drain us of Social program funds and need to be removed. If we cut off all of the social programs and free ER care from them many will go home on their own, and fewer will come into the country illegally.

If they want to live here come into the country legally and they will be welcomed.

Uncontrolled immigration is killing many countries.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ou5iaVSw_dE

[Garybot]

Of course I agree Bill, but this admin. doing the right thing or the difficult thing doesn't seem likey. Maybe we'll be able to address this issue after the 2010 elections.

OB is not going to deport all the illegals - he needs their votes.
And that's the way it is.

[biglongnfat]

vitter is looking more fringe by the minute, what a wingnut

[kareemachan]

Hey! Look at this bright, shiny thing over here! No, don't look over there, look here! Look here!

[Garybot]

YAY GB

[loax]

Not gonna work Frat Boys of the Rethuglican Party. We are on to you, and won't let up.

[hamchunk]

At least until the new fall television line-up comes out, then you will be nowhere to be found...

[motoGpifupleez]

When all else fails, and you're getting our teeth kick in on the "facts front", bring back the classic "hate'em" strategy. No one knows their BASE like the Republicans.

[Grannysue]

Desperate are they well look at the brite side LOUUUUUUUUUUUU will be oh so happy!

[SirRealDeal]

With all their school yard tactics this summer - you know shouting people down, name calling, infantile signs, etc. - they are trying another school yard trick. When you are losing the fight you started you point somewhere behind the person your fighting and say, hey look over there.

[Cryptic Quill]

You can’t ask that question. The only purpose it can serve is to make people afraid to complete the census. The census is to determine a community population, assign resources and representation. It’s already flawed enough using approximating data to account for the homeless. An incomplete census hurts everyone. The community is not smaller just because a form says so, it still has the same infrastructure costs and their resident status has no impact. The children of the illegal or undocumented if born here are citizens per the Constitution and even if not are we any less responsible for their needs? Do we really want to deny them health services and education? If this question is on the census, that is exactly what we will be doing. I may be a fiscal conservative, but it seems I’m veering farther from the right each day. If the right truly wants to make this about immigration, the reform needs to begin with the employers.

[Garybot]

BLAH BLAHL BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH = We dims will do absolutely anything to stay in office (in power), no matter how much it hurts the country, no matter how dirty we have to get.

[tnkeating]

We won't be denying them anything, it just gives us an accuate count of howmany there are (not)

Are you kidding me, even I don't want to fill out the cencus, and I can promise you, I certainly won't be answering all the questions, there 8 pages of questions thats none of there business, they only get name, rank and social security number.

Seriously though, its quite a problem, I concider several of these guys my brothers as I have worked with many over the years, some have become citizens that came here illegally, and are tax paying hard working, God fearing people that I deeply respect, but with our unemployment and economy the way it is, now is not the time for amnesty there are millions of Americans that need to work and thousands of immigrants that came here legally. Don't put the cart before the horse.