Posted by AzBlueMeanie:
The media fixated on the Republican National Committee Summer meeting in Boston last week passing a resolution barring CNN and NBC from hosting GOP presidential primary debates in 2016 because, of course, it was about the media.
What received little or no attention was another resolution passed by the RNC Summer meeting, a resolution on immigration reform authored by Arizona GOP national committeeman Bruce Ash. Zeke Miller at Time's Swampland blog noticed. Exclusive: RNC Ups Immigration Reform Pressure On Congressional GOP — But Rejects Path To Citizenship:
The Republican National Committee passed a resolution Friday calling
on Congress to pass an immigration reform bill by the end of the
year—but it stopped well short of the bipartisan compromise passed by
the Senate earlier this year, omitting a “path to citizenship” for any
class of illegal immigrant.
The resolution calls on Congress to create a special legal status for
illegal immigrants brought to America as minors—or “DREAMers,” as
immigration activists call them, for the eponymous bill to provide them
legal status—which would include a renewable five-year work permit. They
would have to provide proof of employment or enrollment to retain the
status.
For illegal immigrants who came to the United States above the age of
18, under the plan advocated by the RNC they would be eligible for
two-year renewable work permits, but no path to citizenship.
It also calls for the completion of a border fence and increased law enforcement patrols.
The measure puts the core of the Republican Party at odds with the
Senate Gang of Eight legislation that passed with the support of a broad
array of Republicans, and was spearheaded by lawmakers including Sen.
Marco Rubio and Sen. John McCain.
DNC Press Secretary Michael Czin said in a statement: “It’s
disappointing that the RNC has yet again come out against commonsense
immigration reform with a path to citizenship,” he said. “Not only is
their position contrary what the vast majority of Americans want – it’s
bad for the economy. Data shows that a path to citizenship will boost
the GDP, increase total income for all Americans and generate more
revenue for both states and the federal government. Reince Priebus and
the Republican Party just don’t get it – they’re on the wrong side of
the issues and the American people know it.”
The full text of the resolution follows:
WHEREAS, legal immigration is beneficial to America and far exceeds immigration to any other country in the world; and
WHEREAS, a majority of Americans have consistently stated in polls and demonstrated in elections over the past decade they want border security and immigration reform; and
WHEREAS, in an age of global terrorism, drug cartels, human trafficking, and criminal gangs, the presence of millions of unidentified persons in our country poses a grave national security risk to the safety and sovereignty of the United States, and
WHEREAS, the 2012 Platform of the Republican Party recognizes the important economic and cultural contributions that legal immigrants continue to make to our nation and that illegal immigration discredits legal immigration, undermines the sovereignty of the United States and the rule of law and reduces the safety of the citizens. The best deterrent to illegal immigration is a well-functioning program for legal immigration, which we do not have; and
WHEREAS, Americans recognize that for many of those seeking entry in our country, the lack of respect for the rule of law in their country of origin has meant economic exploitation and political oppression; and
WHEREAS, Americans continue to support the mandatory employer use of the S.A.V.E. program prior to the granting of any State or Federal government entitlements or IRS refunds, and we insist upon enforcement in workplace through the E- verify system so that jobs are made available only to legal workers; and
WHEREAS, a majority of Americans support legal immigration and oppose any form of amnesty that would propose a pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens; and
WHEREAS, America's current immigration system is premised upon obsolete public policy, outdated technology and should be replaced with a merit system utilizing the newest technology that focuses on the needs of United States employers and matches the economic and cultural attributes that each immigrant possesses to those needs; now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Republican National Committee calls upon both Democrat and Republican members of Congress and the President to immediately authorize and complete construction of the double fence along our southern border that was approved in 2006 and is still not completed and sufficient law enforcement or military personnel to patrol; and create an effective means of enforcement for legal visitors who have not followed the terms of their entry into the country; and step up the penalty for illegally entering the United States from misdemeanor to felony; and, be it further
RESOLVED, that the Republican National Committee calls upon the President and Congress to implement immigration reform during the 2013 session based upon a merit system that emphasizes the economic contribution of each working immigrant can add to our nation; and, be it further
RESOLVED, that the Republican National Committee calls upon the President and Congress to create a new class of work permit that allows illegal immigrants who were brought into our country as minor children, and who have not violated any other laws of the U.S. to come forward and register and be allowed to remain and work in the U. S. This new class of legal worker permit holders will not result in an application for citizenship or to petition citizenship for family members. The work permit will require renewal every five (5) years and will require proof of employment or attendance in school during that period; and, be it finally committee calls in the President and Congress to create a new work permit
RESOLVED, that the Republican National program that will allow foreign nationals who are currently n the country and have not violated any other laws of the U.S. to come forward and register and be allowed to remain and work n the U.S. The work permit will not result in application for citizenship nor any family members entering the U.S. and will require renewal every two years upon proof of continuous employment with no more than (2) months per two (2) year period unemployed or convicted of a crime.