Bachmann On Immigration: Deport All The Undocumented

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) insisted on Saturday night that as president she would see to it that every undocumented immigrant in the country be deported.

Speaking at a Fox News forum hosted by Mike Huckabee, the Minnesota Republican was fairly broad in describing how she would round up and ship out of the country the 10 to 12 million people living here without documentation. But the implication was that she would empower government agents to do the deed.

"[I]t would be enforcement: Enforcement both at the border but also by the [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] agents. Right now the ICE agents -- those are the agents in the interior of the country who are tasked with enforcing the law -- they are not enforcing them and we also have sanctuary cities now where they don't enforce the laws on deportation. I think that what we simply need to do is to start enforcing the laws which we are not doing and begin the process of deportation," she said.

Prior to explaining how she would execute her deportation policy, Bachmann argued that undocumented citizens cost the country $113 billion every year. Asked by The Huffington Post where the congresswoman got her statistics, a Bachmann spokesperson pointed to a press release from the Federation for American Immigration Reform.

In coming out for 100 percent deportation, Bachmann is deliberately contrasting herself with Newt Gingrich, who argued that it would be impractical if not inhumane to rip families and communities apart. A recent Pew study showed that roughly two-thirds of all the undocumented immigrants in the United States have been in the country for 10 or more years.

"I agree, this is the thorniest and most difficult issue in dealing with illegal immigration," conceded Bachmann. "What about deportation? I believe we should uphold the laws of the land, which does include deportation. How do we pay for it? The American taxpayer."

Comments

[TheFlowerChild]

09:46 PM on 12/09/2011

Can we deport Michele Bachmann back to the cave she crawled out of? What Century is this woman living in? I'm not justifying illegal entry to any country and the USA has become like a haven to Mexico but since they are here because trying to deport 14 million undocumented immigrants would be extremely hard and costly why not just make sure they all have a employment visa and pay taxes? So all that money they are making under the table will be funneled back into the economy.

[cbigdaddy55]

08:29 AM on 12/07/2011

We need to open our eyes. There are over ten millions illegal immigrants bedding down in the United States tonight. The United States spent ten billion dollars last year on services for those people who had no right to be here in the first place. Ten billions dollars. 1.6 billion dollars just to lock up a bunch of illegal immigrant criminals who only got in this country because the INS decided it's not worth the effort to screen for convicted felons.

Who cares? Our government doesn't care. Our border policy is a joke! So is anybody surprised that those at the south of the border are laughing at us, laughing at our laws. Every night thousand of these illegals stream across the border.

There's nothing funny going on here. This is about your life and mine. It's about decent hard-working Americans falling into the cracks and getting the shaft because their government cares more about the constitutional rights of a bunch of people who aren't even citizens in this country.

Minorities don't give two cents about this country, they've come here to exploit it not to embrace it. This country is becoming a haven for criminals so what do you expect? You know, decent hard-working Americans are getting rubbed out by social parasites.

Please tell me what you think and I'll have more to say tonight at 6.

[RC81]

12:57 PM on 12/06/2011

"I believe in the idea of amnesty for those who have put down roots and lived here, even though some time back they may have entered illegally."

(Ronald Regan, speaking during his 1984 re-election campaign.) Pulled from the MSP Star Tribune.

Today, Regan would be considered a pariah within the republican party. Once again, michele bachmann fails miserably on her history test.

[Dean77]

08:55 AM on 12/07/2011

That was 1984, 15-20 million have arrived since and keep coming. You are a great critic, what is your answer to the problem?

[RC81]

09:55 AM on 12/07/2011

If you were to even attempt to understand the context, I wasn't trying to solve any problems. I was commenting on the ubiquitous hypocrisy surrounding many republican's campaigns (bachmann's in particular)

Illegal immigration is a serious issue in which I don't pretend to know the answers. Does that clear things up for you?

Please provide your link for your 15-20 million 'since' 1984. Thanks.

[Hammer of Truth]

05:23 PM on 12/07/2011

The answer here is pretty simple: Dean seems to think he knows it all and the rest of us are "uninformed" sustituted for a word the censors here on HuffPost would object to. You run into these types on blogs everywhere. They change identities as often as they change their underware (not often enough)

Sadly, you have to look in the mirror in the morning and see your glaring inadequecies.

[Consequence]

12:15 PM on 12/06/2011

The Obama administration publically patted themselves on the back for the large number of Illegals they have deported since he took office.

Yet, for Bachman, supporting that activity somehow makes HER a "radical."

LOL Priceless...

[RC81]

01:06 PM on 12/06/2011

"Criminal Removals" genius. Do your homework.

And BTW, standing up for michele bachmann just doesn't pass the giggle test.

LOL! Priceless!

[inthedesert]

10:02 AM on 12/06/2011

Actually, I would welcome an immigration hard liner as POTUS next time since nothing will change if BO gets back in anyway so let's have a POTUS that will actually enforce the immigration laws that are already on the books and who will start mass deportations of anyone not in America legally. And if the Mexicans REALLY do love their anchor spawn so much, they should take them with them back to Mexico on the bus. This is going to free up millions and millions of dollars that we can then use to get America back on track, end expensive ESL classes and free up the welfare workers to help "real" Americans that need help.

[bbertaud]

05:07 PM on 12/05/2011

Who cares for what she says...she'll never..ever be prez of the US

[Activist Annie]

06:39 AM on 12/10/2011

Bachmann spits out so much hate that poison has infected her every thought.

So sad that anyone stoops so low about other human beings ...

[tooL8]

04:39 PM on 12/05/2011

Post a fine of $1 million per head found working for your business. If they cannot find work they will leave.

[DRGClarke]

06:35 PM on 12/05/2011

Like that but my idea is take 1 million in foreign aid from the countries these captured illegals hail from. Send back about 100,000 and watch how fast the countries would solve the problem. They'd be picking them off at the pass with all those fast and furious guns if they put a bounty of 25K on each head. The drugs lords would make more money enforcing the border than dealing drugs.

[TexasTreader]

09:18 AM on 12/06/2011

I like it.

[kjhg]

04:07 PM on 12/05/2011

I really like Bachmanns idea, and a good way to keep them out of the country would be to shot them on sight at the border and leave thier rotting corpse to send a message to any others coming over

[DRGClarke]

06:36 PM on 12/05/2011

I agree

[victor90]

08:21 PM on 12/05/2011

Im glad to see all Americans are so gracious, forgiving and really the climax of just any society. You obviously have no regard for human life, i wonder if its people like you that end up with life in prison for acting on their complete ignorance and selfishness.

[Corie Lemmon]

03:59 PM on 12/06/2011

see how you feel about them once they have stolen from you or scammed you. See how you feel every time your taxes go and think that half of all illegal immigrants don't pay taxes (and most get the money back that they pay into). They take too much and don't give anything in return.

[LilacGypsy]

04:25 PM on 12/05/2011

6 Commebts posted and you soung like a screaming lunatick...From reading all six of your comments , it seems that you really like Marijuana
I quote you :
" They are people real people...w­ho snuck across a border and are here collecting all kinds of benefits ILLEGALLY "

You obviously like marijuana..but ...its ILLEGAL!! like the "leeches: Also I see you replied to one of my posts , and it was removed...I guess those anger management classes aren't working out for you...The therapeutic Marijuana doesnt seem to be helping either....

[LilacGypsy]

05:10 PM on 12/05/2011

Conclusion of Comment
Michele Bachmann hasnt a clue on the manpower needed to get all the millions of illegals rounded up, hold them in jail and deport them. A plane ticket is purchased. If these people receive amnesty to stay, they would contribute millions instead of costing millions. Ther are here and if deported will be right back...I was not technical and tried to explain this on a lower level (especially if you are smoking that marijuana you want to legalize ...I read your other six posts (ever)..same deal with the pot as the aliens ...legalize Pot and the government makes millions...but in both instances there need to be controls. Make Sense ? and calm down

[MacMiller420]

05:43 PM on 12/05/2011

Trust me I have no intention on voting for Bachman but I do intend on voting for Ron paul, even though the media continues to block him out. Don't you get sick of having fools in line to become our president? Democratic/Republican, they all seem like fools. I appreciate you explaining it on that lower level especially since I was smoking that brain destroying drug, I can barely type because so many brain cells have been destroyed. Your wanting to keep them here and make them legal and give them money/college funding is about as legitimate as "Reefer Madness"
There could be control for both subjects if we had sensible people in office and not lying morons

[another looker]

06:46 PM on 12/05/2011

I live in area where X-mas trees are harvested. It use to be that an American working in this industry could make between 35K/year to 50K/year. The illegal immigrants rolled into our area living ten and twelve to a house willing to work for $7.50/hr maintainin­g and harvesting X-mas trees. All the Americans lost their jobs, and it ravaged the local economy. There are no Americans in the X-mass tress fields except the owners (part of the 1%; most of them) who have profitted tremendous­ly from lax regulation of exisiting immigratio­n laws.

Is this what those of you choosing the illegal immigrants over American having jobs really want for you area?

I forgot to mention the concentrat­ion of Mexican-pr­oduced meth in our area. I wonder how that got here?

[getoffmedz]

12:34 PM on 12/05/2011

Bachmann is engaging in ludicrous but dangerous talk here.

Wealthy folks will protect their undocumented help; many of whom have been adopted like pets.

For her suggestion to be effective every building in our country will have to be thoroughly searched, including private dwellings.

All those who agree with her idea - THINK ABOUT IT!

[LilacGypsy]

01:02 PM on 12/05/2011

Again Favored..(But he button doesnt work...)

Bachmann will spend Billions to get rid of Millions..Let the Illegals stay, legally and get thrm on the books, Taxes will be paid to offset the Billions spend on illegals...Economics, another class Michele must have skipped!

[Dean77]

01:27 PM on 12/05/2011

You are so smart. The more you let stay, the more will come. Doh!

[Ponchelas]

01:41 PM on 12/05/2011

lol and i favored this but the button didn' work...i think she skipped school altogether.

[DRGClarke]

06:37 PM on 12/05/2011

Before the illegals legal immigrants were the hired help and Black folks. The blacks get welfare now so they won't work and there are so few legal immigrants and the ones that come actually are self relient.

[getoffmedz]

07:13 PM on 12/05/2011

B.I.G.O.T.R.Y Look it up?

[TheFlowerChild]

09:52 PM on 12/09/2011

The only problem with your thinking is that before you know you'll be out of a house and food because of illegal migration. Not to mention do you like waiting 8 hours in the emergency room because of all the people who don't have insurance or citizenship? Mexicans are reliant on AMERICAN DOLLARS Baby; without it they wouldn't be so self-reliant now would they? Why do you think they come to the USA in the first place because they are self reliant? Sure. Oh and in case you missed the memo Welfare is pretty much obsolete and a lot of undocumented immigrants receive welfare.

[mrjohnny212]

11:42 AM on 12/05/2011

Last time anyone forcibly moved that many people was during world war two, this is the kind of people who we have running for public office today? Shame on America.

[Yomamasmellz]

02:33 PM on 12/05/2011

These people broke the law...they need to go. They are lucky they got to stay here this long with the free ride we provided them.

[victor90]

08:26 PM on 12/05/2011

Free ride? How? Some people have nothing to help their arguments stand except stereotypes and generalizations. People leech off the government... from all nationalities, races, languages. People always looking for someone to blame...

[mrjohnny212]

01:19 AM on 12/06/2011

They came to work, to provide a better life for their families. Just as your and my forbears did. Undocumented is a label used by the same politicians who didn't enforce the immigration laws we already have so that business could have labor cheaper than most natives would work for. They get no free ride, thats just mumbo jumbo that can't pass the test of a minutes thought. I live in a neighborhood full of immigrants and I see the strong family values and work ethic they live by.

[Consequence]

11:21 AM on 12/05/2011

The Obama administration has bragged about how many Illegals they have departed since they came into office.

But the GOP, for supporting that practice, are the ones that are 'radical.'

LOL Brilliant!

[MacMiller420]

03:26 PM on 12/05/2011

its funny how obama braggs about deporting them....last I heard he suspended over 300,000 illegals from being deported and gave them work visas...and how many states has he sued for upholding the law against illegals? his aunt and uncle are illegals? wouldn't be too surprised if we found out he himself is an illegal.

[TggerJen]

06:28 PM on 12/05/2011

He's bragging about deporting them to independents and the Dem voters who respect the law and care about working Americans who have their jobs taken or their wages driven down. He brags about protecting them and giving amnesty to the people who are pro-amnesty and pro-illegal (he's also talking to exploitative employers with that message but that's subtle). He talks out of both sides of his mouth so he can get one message to one group and a different message to the other group.

Obama admitted that his stats on deportations are 'deceptive' -
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/09/28/remarks-president-open-questions-roundtable
QUOTING OBAMA-
"Secondly, the statistics are actually a little deceptive because what we’ve been doing is with the stronger border enforcement we’ve been apprehending folks at the borders and sending them back.  That is counted as a deportation, even though they may have only been held for a day or 48 hours, sent back -- that’s counted as a deportation."

[DRGClarke]

06:40 PM on 12/05/2011

WHo believes one single word, number or figure that comes out of that narcissist? They have a revolving door, count them 10 times just like all the "extra" votes" >

[Roofer Ron]

11:20 AM on 12/05/2011

Deporting illegal aliens and securing our borders should be a high priority. I was recently replaced by 10 Guatamalans, only two of them spoke broken english. I observed their work practices and found several major shortcomings. Illegal aliens don`t care about the quality of their work. They only want the money, so they do the minimum to make the roof look done. They do not take pride in their work and will not be around long enough to see the results of their poor work.

[Ponchelas]

01:46 PM on 12/05/2011

or you just got jipped for getting what is considered an expensive job for cheap...remember this next time you decide to go "second-hand" with your own decisions (because its yor fault not the 10 guatemalans) "what's cheap is always expensive"

[MacMiller420]

03:29 PM on 12/05/2011

exactly roofer ron I feel you on this issue...I too am in the construction business and I am young so I am still learning...I see all over our jobs taken by these illegals because its all cheap labor and how often they screw up and it has to be fixed by a professional...so many good hard american workers layed off because the contractor would rather hire a whole crew of cheap labor and wing the project...plain an simple these people may work hard but what is hard work when they have no clue what they are doing

[arnoldbowers1]

09:49 AM on 12/05/2011

For those who seem to think only a citizen can sign up for Medicare you are so wrong. First they come illegal and pregnant then they go to a hospital and have a baby on my dime free of charge, next they then sign up for food stamps and receive them and do like wise many time more sometime 10 or 12 times. So they don't have to be a worry it is all free. next they get free school for their kids and there is no man in the house but they keep having kids and keep getting food stamps and getting more benefits this is not for the citizens who already know this is for the illiterate and illegals who wish to act stupid. Frank Bowers, FIC, 100% DAV, Austin, Tx

[Deschris]

08:52 AM on 12/05/2011

The first legal Hispanic or Latino American citizen she touches/intimidates in any way, shape or form should launch a 100 billion dollar class action on her a****s and her freak of a husband.Marcus better keep his paws off of those under age girls in their house of horrors.