Heads Up: Mike Huckabee's Immigration Plan

Mike Huckabee's staff is securing what Huckabee calls is "Secure America Plan." See the bolded portion. Huckabee's come a long way from last year...

A 9-Point Strategy for Immigration Enforcement and Border Security

Overview: Implement a broad-based strategy that commits the resources of the federal government to the enforcement of our immigration laws and results in the attrition of the illegal immigrant population.

1. Build the Fence

• Ensure that an interlocking surveillance camera system is installed along the border by July 1, 2010.
• Ensure that the border fence construction is completed by July 1, 2010.

2. Increase Border Patrol

• Increase the number of border patrol agents.
• Fully support all law enforcement personnel tasked with enforcing immigration law.

3. Prevent Amnesty

• Policies that promote or tolerate amnesty will be rejected.
• Propose to provide all illegal immigrants a 120-day window to register with [immigration] and leave the country. Those who register and return to their home country will face no penalty if they later apply to immigrate or visit; those who do not return home will be, when caught, barred from future reentry for a period of 10 years.

4. Enforce the Law on Employers

• Employment is the chief draw for most illegal immigrants and denying them jobs is the centerpiece of an attrition strategy.
• Impose steep fines and penalties on employers that violate the law.
• Institute a universal, mandatory citizenship verification system as part of the normal hiring process.
• Prevent the IRS and the Social Security Administration from accepting fraudulent Social Security numbers or numbers that don't match the employees' names.*

5. Establish an Economic Border

• Move toward passage of the FairTax.
• The FairTax provides an extra layer of security by creating an economic disincentive to immigrate to the U.S. illegally.

6. Empower Local Authorities

• Promote better cooperation on enforcement by supporting legislative measures such as the CLEAR Act, which aims to systematize the relationship between local law and federal immigration officials.
• Encourage immigration-law training for police. Local authorities must be provided the tools, training, and funding they need so local police can turn illegal immigrants over to the federal authorities.

7. Ensure Document Security

• End exemptions for Mexicans and Canadians to the US-VISIT program, which tracks the arrival and departure of foreign visitors. Since these countries account for the vast majority of foreigners coming here (85 percent), such a policy clearly violates Congress' intent in mandating this check-in/check-out system.
• Reject Mexico's "matricula consular" card, which functions as an illegal-immigrant identification card.

8. Discourage Dual Citizenship

• Inform foreign governments when their former citizens become naturalized U.S. citizens.
• Impose civil and/or criminal penalties on American citizens who illegitimately use their dual status (e.g., using a foreign passport, voting in elections in both a foreign country and the U.S.).

9. Modernize the Process of Legal Immigration

• Eliminate the visa lottery system and the admission category for adult brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens.
• Increase visas for highly-skilled and highly-educated applicants.
• Expedite processing for those who serve honorably in the U.S. Armed Forces.
• Improve our immigration process so that those patiently and responsibly seeking to come here legally will not have to wait decades to share in the American dream. Governor Huckabee has always been grateful to live in a country that people are trying to break into, rather than break out of.

*This policy will be drafted to comply with the final federal court decisions on this issue.

Note: This plan is partially modeled on a proposal by Mark Krikorian, Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies. (“Re: Immigration: Ten Points for a Successful Presidential Candidate,” National Review, May 23, 2005.)

Comments

Someone will have to explain the bold portion. Aren't people who are here illegally and caught already banned for 10 years ?

Posted by Benjamin | December 6, 2007 2:06 PM

It's a pretty reasonable plan.

Posted by Greg | December 6, 2007 2:21 PM

Now we are starting to move in the right direction. I really like the 120 day period thing. Sign up now and get in line. Self deportation is an excellent idea, instead of the current plan to cite into court in a few monthes for deportation hearing, when in fact, just giving them enough time to relocate and get new job. I like the fair tax, too. I'm going to have to pay more attention to Huckabee, he could be actually starting to pay attention to the people. God love him.

Posted by howard | December 6, 2007 2:29 PM

The bolded section mentions registering with the Immigration and Naturalization Services. Didn't we do away with the INS a while ago? Pretty sure there is no longer such things a the INS...

Posted by Jeff | December 6, 2007 2:43 PM

seven million people are not going to pack up and go home. and forcibly displacing them would be akin to genocide. Republicans need to face up to reality.

Posted by goethean | December 6, 2007 3:22 PM

I gotta say I like this plan alot. It seems to cover many areas without granting amnesty and it makes sense. I like the 120 day provision to register and then leave. Anyone who is caught after that grace period should be deported immediately. I also like empowering local police, since they are the front line in this battle. Holding businesses accountable is also great, since they are the draw. And no more matricula consular cards?? About time. Too many Mexicans use this as ID for other services to which they are not entitled. Not sure about Huckabee yet but his plan is spot on!!

Posted by America Rocks | December 6, 2007 3:48 PM

What does Governor Huckabee mean by an "economic border"? How would this impact the numerous free trade agreements (often contrary to the will of the people) already in place? Why does Huckabee continue to pander to big business? Corporations will spend millions to recruit and transport immigrants for high tech and skilled positions, and still will have to teach them to speak English, rather than train existing employee's for these positions. Rather than recruit American students from our colleges, rather than start recruiting and training high school students for these desirable jobs, it somehow makes sense to Governor Huckabee to allow corporations to dispense with competing for American workers entirely. America's Citizens are tired of being down-sized, off-shored, and out-sourced. We're tired of training and retraining for jobs that will ultimately only be down-sized, off-shored, and out-sourced as soon as corporate lawyers find a loophole in the law or the tax code. Being competitive also means competing for American workers, and not just the cheapest most docile immigrant workers you can get. This immigration platform comes so close to being acceptable and supportable, until you get to the part about increasing visa's for the very jobs that American's most aspire. Who helped draft this part of the Huckabee plan, Microsoft?

Posted by Ed Weirdness | December 6, 2007 4:03 PM

Eventually Huckabee will parole all the people that are caught just the way he paroled serial rapist Dumond.

Posted by Many | December 6, 2007 4:12 PM

Ed,

Look up your facts before ranting. Don't say, "What does he mean by economic border?" Find out what he means.

He was speaking of the fair tax. Those who are involved in crime and illegal affairs would have to pay the same amount of taxes as every other person because there would be a consumption tax and not an income tax.

Posted by Ryan O'neil | December 6, 2007 4:37 PM

Was Dumond an illegal immigrant? Then why is his name relevant to this discussion? It's not, so take your comments elsewhere Many.

Posted by Todd Moody | December 6, 2007 4:38 PM

5. Establish an Economic Border
• Move toward passage of the FairTax.
• The FairTax provides an extra layer of security by creating an economic disincentive to immigrate to the U.S. illegally.

This is ridiculous. How? This doesn't belong in an immigration plan any more than -- permit me to agree with the comment before me -- any more than Wayne Dumond's release at Huckabee's request before he raped and murdered two women belongs in this immigration discussion.

Huckabee buried "employer enforcement" at #4 because neither he, nor any other politician in thrall to big business, has any intention of enforcing it. But if we had a politician which would enforce employer sanctions, we wouldn't need anything else, including the pointless and very expensive fence, which sounds like it exists solely to enrich Halliburton or some other lucky contractor that has Cheney on its payroll.

Posted by Lisa Small | December 6, 2007 4:57 PM

I discuss the downsides of the plan here. Everyone might want to read it before getting too excited.

Posted by TLB | December 6, 2007 5:10 PM

But does this really do enough to silence the far right critics? That's what he needs.

http://www.political-buzz.com/

Posted by matt | December 6, 2007 6:02 PM

ROUND THEM BROWN SCUMBAGS UP YEEEHAAWWW

Posted by jxn | December 6, 2007 6:12 PM

I support Huckabee. But I am disappointed with this cookie cutter policy. It's not realistic. And I agree with the earlier comment about importing highly skilled immigrants.

Minority Whip Mitch McConnell paid American chidlrenthe biggest insult when he recently addressed my community and justified HIS ideas for immigration reform to include giving visa's to highly educated [read: "i can turn my Nike's into a shoe bomb] because "Here in AMerica... our kids are missing the mark on science and math".

That very day - airports in Great Britain were in chaos because some fellas who were wuite skilled in math and science tried to blow them up.

Listen - I don't care who's picking oranges or tobacco. And I certainly am not telling my 12 year old, "Study hard, honey, and one day YOU might get to mow Mitt Romney's yard!". I want the good jobs for MY kids... and let someone else who's willing do the jobs that our silver-spoon, super sweet-sixteen MTV generation won't do... like flip a burger or mow a yard.

Sorry Huck. This gets a no go for me.

Posted by Beth | December 6, 2007 7:36 PM

Huckleberry is trying to be all things to all Republicans. The wall is a good ideas; but asking 12 million to register and go is plainly silly.

Now here is what he should say. All them dat is hair ill eagly should register and be given a number; then, we conduct a big drawing from a hat that has the numbers 0 - 9. The president, Huckleberry, will draw out a number. He draws a three. Therefore, everyone whose number ends in 3 can stay and become legal; everyone else go home and wait until next year's drawing.

Dat way we give the ill eagles an in sentive to get a number

Posted by Llyonnoc | December 6, 2007 7:55 PM

It's not realistic for illegal immigrants who are working for their daily subsistence to quit their jobs, return (with their families) to their original countries, find housing there, and apply to immigrate. They obviously can't afford to take these steps. Even if they manage it, once they're out of the country the legal process of immigrating will take months or years and cost lots of money -- if they are approved at all. Anyone who has ever worked with INS knows how hard it is. The 120 day proviso is just meaningless window dressing, except in the case of those few well-educated, relatively wealthy illegal immigrants who Americans like Huckabee (apparently) "want."

Posted by Andy | December 6, 2007 8:43 PM

Well, I guess I won't be voting Republican this time (I've voted Republican in 6 of 7 Presidential Elections).

My wife is a dual citizen who votes in her country's elections and in ours. We are trying to sponsor her sister (a well educated, Christian, young lady).

I guess we're criminals.

Posted by Jerry | December 6, 2007 10:43 PM

Our country has the third largest population after China and India. I'm not sure why we have to import more people to take the place of the ones we are giving 120 days to leave. Let's mow our own lawns, raise our own kids, and send our own citizens to school to become the engineers that we need.

Posted by Robin | December 6, 2007 11:44 PM

I was all for Huckabee after the youtube debate, I agreed with his views, and I liked his humanistic approach but these radical ideas I see here are a real turnoff. It is unrealistic, its an evident effort to appeal to the far right vote. Huck, what happened to the "we are a better country than that.." Children will still suffer with this plan. Get real and have balls to advocate for what ios really needed: AMNESTY.

Posted by thenerd2009 | December 7, 2007 12:16 AM

Those are some strange, strange comments above.

As for Jerry's comment, I'm pretty sure Huck wouldn't think you're a criminal. In fact, I'm sure he'd coddle you.

I, on the other hand, will ask what happens if the U.S. and your wife's country have a conflict, from either a war down to something like trade policy? Which country's side is your wife going to come down on? For that reason, you can't be full citizens of two countries at the same time: there will always be conflicts between policies, and it's impossible to be on both country's sides at the same time.

Posted by TLB | December 7, 2007 12:55 AM

Oh, that's a great idea. Let's get local police in on immigration enforcement, so that scumbag predators know they can go after illegal immigrants full bore, knowing that they won't be reported.

Fantastic idea. Not.

Posted by justinb | December 7, 2007 1:20 AM

STOP KIDDING YOURSELVES THAT THESE POOR MIGRANTS ARE THE PROBLEMS OF OUR NATION. EACH INDIVIDUAL IS RE FOR THEIR OWN ADVANCEMENT IN OUR NATION AND TODAYS CHANGING WORLD.

YOU ARE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN SUCCESS OR FAILURES.

let's not kid ourselves that all we care about is obeying the law and all we are asking illegals to do is go home and get in line like everybody else. We know perfectly well that the line is too long, and we are basically telling people to go home and not come back.

Let's not kid ourselves, either, about who we are telling this to. To characterize illegal immigrants as queue-jumping, lawbreaking scum is seriously unjust. The motives of illegal immigrants--which can be summarized as "a better life"--are identical to those of legal immigrants. In fact, they are largely identical to the motives of our own parents, grandparents and great-grandparents when they immigrated. And not just that. Ask yourself, of these three groups--today's legal and illegal immigrants and the immigrants of generations ago--which one has proven most dramatically its appreciation of our country? Which one has shown the most gumption, the most willingness to risk all to get to the U.S. and the most willingness to work hard once here? Well, everyone's story is unique. But who loves the U.S. most? On average, probably, the winners of this American-values contest would be the illegals, doing our dirty work under constant fear of eviction, getting thrown out and returning again and again.

And how about those of us lucky enough to have been born here? How would we do against the typical illegal alien in a "prove how much you love America" reality TV show?

Posted by Funny Truth | December 7, 2007 8:47 AM

When it comes to protecting your upward mobile income, you certainly like to protect nobody working for a living wage below you by flooding America with illegal immigrants. What about those less mobile to move than you?

If you want amnesty, then we need to raise wages across the board to strenthen the lower middle class who still have to work two jobs to pay for basic living necessities.

We can retool stuggling and bitter Americans who have suffered by not being able to relocate around the country for work before we place undocumented workers in lower paying jobs that these struggling and bitter Americans would gladly take.

Posted by James Russell | December 7, 2007 10:26 AM

Criminals did NOT build America; Citizens and LEGAL immigrants built it. Illegal Aliens and Immigration is NOT the same thing. 80% of the American people want an end to anarchy! This is NOT a Democrat, Republican, Independent issue. It's an American Issue.

Illegal aliens are criminals, those who hire them are criminals and those who aid-and-abet them are criminals.

Illegal aliens in America have NO rights. We are required by law to arrest and prosecute, deport them. (Title 8 U.S. Code) To report illegal aliens call the DHS National Hotline 1 866 DHS 2ICE. (1-866-347-2523)

No, matter your political party affiliation, and setting aside your thoughts on issues. We all need to remember what it is to be an American Citizen. We need to make sure our elected representatives obey their Oath of Office and keep their Oath of Allegiance. See http://tinyurl.com/2znnvl Know whom you are voting for.

Posted by Dr Coles | December 7, 2007 10:36 AM

All very detailed but he seems to have forgotten to put the price.
I'm guessing that it'll be expensive and most US taxpayers think they pay enough tax as it is.
If he tells you it'll pay for itself try not to laugh too much...

Posted by uk immigration | December 7, 2007 10:51 AM

The stupidity of republican law makers never
stops to amaze me.There is only one central question when it comes to immigration reform.
What to do with the millions of people who are already here ?
Their response is give them 120 days to leave.lol
Can this be called a sensible solution to a complex problem ? is this fair ? who will be willing to participate in this ? lol

Posted by tt | December 7, 2007 11:22 AM

Economic border.

Here is the deal with the Fairtax in regard to illegal immigrants.

Illegals usually do not pay taxes in our current system. Because the fairtax is a consumption tax, everybody becomes a taxpayer, even illegal immigrants (and drug dealers when they buy those yachts and hummers).

The second part is that the poor would get a prebate to offset the extra cost of goods. So your family might be making $35,000 a year and getting $700/month to help buy essential goods. If you are an illegal, you would not get that prebate check every month because you are not a citizen.

Posted by Grant | December 7, 2007 2:00 PM

Here's the telling point of this 'strategy' and the proof that like the FairTax, this is just so much CRAP designed to benefit rich people.

Impose steep fines and penalties on employers that violate the law.

That's nice, huh? But you will notice it doesn't mention any SPECIFIC penalty? You know why as well as I do - because it will be a slap on the wrist and impossible to enforce. But what can you expect from a politician? Honesty and integrity - HAH!

Of course, self honesty compels me to point out the Dr. Ron Paul HAS honesty and integrity. He's pretty much spoiling my old outlook on politicians in general. Why not check out HIS plan not just for Illegals but for foreign policy, the war on drugs and sound money as well. Let's have government we can AFFORD for a change!

Posted by Louis Nardozi | December 7, 2007 2:07 PM

Another expulsion plan for 12 million people and 1 in 20 workers in the US economy. Doesn't meet the reality test. We can end illegal immigration and assimilate the immigrants already here illegally. We just need to get the "no legal status for anyone here illegally" crowd out of the way first. Then we can get control over immigration and make legality and the rule of law the norm.

Posted by AndiMedi | December 7, 2007 6:15 PM

There is a big lie circulating out there that we can't deport 12 million illegals. The fact is they will self-deport if jobs are not available. I think Huckabee is thinking a little more clearly on the immigration problem. Let's get the illegals back to their countrys of origin and let our kids work in the fields, mow lawns, and wash cars like we used to do instead of hanging at the mall. I suspect a lot of the reluctance of the pols to support a program to expel illegals rests with that nice fat cash cow caused by contributions to phony social security accounts. Did you ever think about where all that money goes?

Posted by Rich | December 7, 2007 8:40 PM

HUCKABEE'S INCOMPLETE IMMIGRATION PLAN - NO GUEST WORKER REQUIREMENTS
1. GUEST WORKER SELECTION CRITERIA?
2. GUEST WORKER CONTRACT DURATION?
3. GUEST WORKER EMPLOYMENT RESTRICTIONS?
4. GUEST WORKER DATES OF ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE?
WITH NO PROVISIONS FOR SELECTION, EMPLOYMENT, AND DURATION OF STAY, HUCKABEES PLAN DOES NOT SOLVED THE FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEM: HOW TO GET ECONOMICALLY ADVANTAGEOUS SEASONAL AGRICULTURAL LABOR WITHOUT CAUSING ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGEOUS COMPETITION FOR CITIZEN BENEFITS AND JOBS.
THIS CRITICISM DEMONSTRATES THAT HUCKABEE IS NOT QUALIFIED TO BE THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. BEFORE CANDIDATES CAN BE TRUSTED TO SOLVE COMPLEX PROBLEMS, THEY MUST FIRST DEMONSTRATE THE CAPACITY TO SOLVE SIMPLE PROBLEMS.

Posted by Jeugenen | December 7, 2007 8:48 PM

Rich is right -- when the jobs for illegals dry up and the Fairtax is imposed to take 23% of what they buy in a grocery stare, a large percentage will go back home themselves. Whoever's left can live in the same "shadow" economy they signed up for and have been living in since they broke our laws. It's the employers and corporations that have been encouraging the problem and have made these people willing slaves -- the exploitation of workers for the benefit of greedy businesses is staggering. TO BETH: your children are not qualified to flip burgers unless they've had four years of Spanish, and if your kids won't mow your lawn, pull the earbuds out and take away the XBox and the allowance. There are NO silver spoons in my house.

Posted by hecowe | December 8, 2007 5:57 PM

Inform foreign governments when their former citizens become naturalized U.S. citizens.

Big friggin' deal. Most foreign governments to Mike Huckabee: 'we don't give a shit.'

I, on the other hand, will ask what happens if the U.S. and your wife's country have a conflict, from either a war down to something like trade policy? Which country's side is your wife going to come down on?

Remember, Wacko Kelly's expecting those durned Hispanics to launch their insurgency any day now. That's why he's stocking up saltines and Ensure under the bed.

Posted by pseudonymous in nc | December 8, 2007 9:13 PM

Many politicians have their own style when it comes to concealing the truth. Bush resorts to ambiguity. Hillary speaks in vague generalities. Huckabee omits details. In the case of his plan to self-deport illegals, what he omits is that they will be able to return in a matter of weeks or even days. Yes, folks, it's the same amnesty plan that was proposed by Flake and Gutierrez: step across the border, apply for legal status, and jump to the head of the line with none of the red tape that is reserved for legal applicants. In his own words:

HUCKABEE: Well, I don’t think there’s an inconsistency. When I said a pathway, I didn’t say what the pathway was.

I now believe that the only thing the American people are going to accept — and, frankly, the only thing that really makes sense — is a pathway that sends people back to the starting point.

But this idea of the waiting years — no, I don’t agree with that. In fact, look, if we can get a credit card application done within hours, if we can get passports done within days, if we can transact business over the Internet any place in the world within seconds, do a background check instantaneously — it’s our government that has failed and is dysfunctional.

It shouldn’t take years to get a work permit to come here and pick lettuce. So part of the plan that I have is that we seal the borders. You don’t have amnesty and sanctuary cities. You do have a pathway that gets you back home.

But that pathway to get back here legally doesn’t take years. It would take days, maybe weeks, and then people could come back in the workforce.

Posted by Jim | December 12, 2007 1:28 PM

How about those "illegals" that are married to US citizens? Do you think they are going to leave their families and go back home? Or even better do you think the US citizen spouse and children will just pack up and leave THEIR country for a country that people want to leave? Yeah that sounds like a vacation. Yeah right, get real!! We need to fix this system and MOST importantly keep families together and play by the rules. Get rid of the gang bangers and drug dealers but keep the hard working people that have bonded with this country and it's citizens.

Posted by Clare | December 14, 2007 1:01 AM

The US needs to have the same immigration laws -- and the same enforcement of them -- as Mexico has.

Posted by Moss | December 14, 2007 11:32 AM

I want to thank Clare for your comment above. I am an American Citizen (German, Irish & Scottish) descent. My husband is an illegal immigrant from Mexico. I think that most Americans do not realize that these proposed reforms will affect U.S. citizens and their families. How are we supposed to explain to our six-year old son that his father must return to Mexico? My husband is not a drain on the system. He is a hard-working & law-abiding. We have very good health insurance. We make a very good living and have a solid net worth. We own our own home and live in an upper-middle class suburb. I am educated with an MBA. The US did not enforce laws that have been in place for decades against the companies that hire illegals because that would have been bad for business. Now that it has become an issue, and they have to do something about it, Americans must suffer. Who is going to be responsible for this lack of enforcement of laws? Everyone wants to blame the illegals but do you honestly think if steep fines were imposed on these companies we would be debating this now? They won't impose these fines because it would hurt business. Business would put pressure on politicians. Business is not going to suffer, only the people, illegals and those U.S. citizens married to them.

Posted by mgarcia | December 22, 2007 12:42 PM

Forget about Huckabee's extremely poor record on immigration issues. Let's just look at how he once again fails to consider the full picture on complex issues, like immigration.

Huckabee wants to prevent US citizens from using a foreign passport for travel abroad. On the surface, this sounds reasonable. But, if Huckabee had just asked any attorney, who deals with procuring foreign passports for US citizens, why they want those second passports, he would have learned that they get a second passport largely for personal safety.

Although a US passport is considered one of the very best passports for visa-free travel, several respected travel organizations rate the US passport as the second most dangerous passport to carry. That's because if you ever find yourself in a hostage situation, those carrying a US passport are second most likely to die - right behind those carrying an Israeli passport. That's why many native-born US citizens now carry and travel on a second passport from a non-controversial country.

This is just one part of Huckabee's seriously flawed immigration plan that shows that he has not even considered everything involved in the issue, let alone, that he holds a commitment to dealing effectively with illegal aliens. While attempting to re-invent himself on immigration issues, Huckabee's plan would actually put more native-born US citizens at risk, when they travel abroad. Not very smart, Huckabee.

Posted by John Gaver | January 2, 2008 1:54 AM

I think that Huckabee has alot of great points but a few bad patches also. I mean, he is talking of doing a lot of things that involve money and frankly our country dosen't have alot of it! I think that what he is proposing though is a pretty secure idea (except I think we could use the money elsewhere).

Posted by Liz | February 11, 2008 1:50 PM