Back door amnesty, Chicago-style

With the help of unions, partisan politicians and pro-amnesty groups, the White House intends to push for back-door amnesty and bypass Congress altogether.

“It makes sense to do now what the administration can do… it doesn’t have to go through Congress. It (amnesty) doesn’t have to go through the toxic political process,” said Ana Avendano of the AFL-CIO at a recent press conference.

The AFL-CIO is one of the largest union representatives which include all the radio/broadcasters as well as the Hollywood crowd.

The Obama Administration is making a three pronged effort to gain amnesty without bringing the always hot-button immigration issue into the U.S. House of Representatives.

The first prong the Administration is attacking is the 287(g) rule which some Democrats in Congress called “misguided.” This provision states local law enforcement can arrest those here illegally in the country who have not committed any major crimes.

“That fact you have to commit a major crime to be arrested is a joke,” says Jena Baker McNeill of the Heritage Foundation. “Coming into this country illegally is against the law.”

The 287(g) provision has been most notably used by Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Arizona. His office currently uses 287(g) to curtail an explosive invasion of illegals in to his U.S./Mexico border state.

However, pro-amnesty groups like National Immigration Forum see things differently.

In a press release from the group; “Any enforcement regime that targets that population is a waste of time and money and a band-aid on an open wound, at best,” said Ali Noorani, executive director for National Immigration Forum.

Since Janet Napolitano’s place as the head of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was lamented during the Administration change, many policies have seen a certain softening.

At the top of the list is 287(g) enforcement.

“Today’s 287(g) announcement by DHS is a stark departure from the current practice and I fear will only hinder our law enforcement agencies’ ability to apprehend and detain illegal aliens,” said Hal Rodgers-R Ky. in a statement. “The current 287(g) program enables state and local law enforcement to effectively enforce federal immigration law and is key to keeping our country safe.”

A spokesperson from DHS, Matt Chandler, sounded cheery when asked if this would hinder Sheriff Joe. “Yes.”

However, at a recent meeting with Sheriff Joe, Jay LaSuer, candidate for San Diego Sheriff, said, “Sheriff Joe doesn’t think this new ruling will slow him down too much.”

The next area where the Obama administration plans on softening is the E-Verify program.

The Obama Administration has pushed for workplace raids and arrests to be stopped and informed law enforcement to steer clear of the illegal immigrants caught working illegally.

Many of those caught at workplaces are using false documents and have now committed two crimes, one of which is a felony, says Congressman Brian Bilbray-R, CA.

“We need all these laws, including all aspects of E-Verify, in order to tackle illegal immigration. All of this is piecemeal work, but it’s all the little things that mean a lot when put together,” McNeill said.

By taking the no-match rule in E-Verify away many feel it will only make it easier and a no brainer for those in this country illegally to stay. “This only works when all parties involved are penalized, including employers and illegal alien offenders,” McNeill finished.

“The fact that DHS wants to overlook the rule of law will only lead illegals to expand their footprints in this country,” Bilbray said. “These new rules will encourage those to come here illegally and this welcome mat mentality means amnesty.”

This leads to the third prong of the back door amnesty. The health care reform package includes a provision that Republican’s tried and failed to strip from the House health care package.

The plan known as the Heller amendment and was written by Rep. Dean Heller, R-NV, and was to include clauses that mandated checks similar to E-Verify in order for applicants to qualify for government subsidized health insurance.

The Heller amendment said, “It would better screen applicants for subsidized health care to ensure they are actually citizens or otherwise entitled to it.”

The two identification processes the Heller amendment would use are programs the federal government already employ; The Income and Eligibility Verification System (IEVS) and the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE).

In an interview with Janice Kephart of the Centers for Immigration Studies regarding the inclusion of illegals in the health care bill she came to a similar conclusion.

“If amnesty forgives illegality, then this is just another element of a multi-faceted approach to a red carpet for illegals, “Kephart said. “Who cares if our current health care system can’t provide adequate coverage for those born here?”

Another point to keep in mind is the real cost of amnesty. In a 2007 report, The Heritage Foundation estimated that amnesty would cost the American public more than $2.6 Trillion, yes TRILLION.

While counter pro-amnesty groups insist those here illegally will pay into the Internal Revenue Service raising capital, The Heritage Foundation claims the cost of retirement benefits from amnesty would be unsustainable and fall well short of any revenue collected.

Heritage also contends that the rush to social services (such as Food Stamps, public housing and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) would overwhelm the already over-burdened system.

All these issues combined can create a back door amnesty, according to Lawmakers like Bilbray and other watch dog groups like CIS.

“When you throw big business and big labor together, the power and profit creates an unholy alliance,” the Congressman said.

For all these reasons, like them (politicians) or not, American’s need their lawmakers involved when it comes to immigration reform.

For more stories; www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner