What Do Democrats Have to Say About Bush's Immigration Plan?

May 15, 2006 — -- Comments on President Bush's immigration reform plan from Democratic members of Congress.

Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.

"The first priority of any immigration reform should be to secure our nation's borders. In that respect, the president's proposal has merit as a temporary solution. After three years of fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, our National Guard is stretched dangerously thin, and so we must know how long they will be there and when they will be replaced with trained border patrol agents that can provide permanent security.

"We also know that border security is only one side of the equation. Comprehensive immigration reform cannot succeed without a plan to bring the undocumented out of the shadows and offer them a path to citizenship, after they pay a substantial fine and back taxes, learn English, satisfy a work requirement, and pass a background check. Whether or not the president can repair the divisions in his own party so that we can pass this type of reform will be the true test of our ability to secure our borders in the months to come."

Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass.

"This is a moment when the far right is horribly wrong and leadership is required to set a course for common sense. We need a comprehensive answer to immigration that includes tightening border security, but putting another burden on the backs of the National Guard troops who are serving their second tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan isn't the right answer. The National Guard which has borne the burden of a broken policy in Iraq shouldn't have to bear the burden of an incomplete immigration policy. The right answer is to listen to the 9/11 Commission and put the border patrol agents we need right there on the border. It won't satisfy the right wing, but it's the right policy.

"That's why I'm introducing a plan to put an additional 1,000 additional Border Patrol agents on the border next year, plus more 100 helicopters and 250 more power boats to secure our borders.

"We know the problem and we know the solution. Rather than try and rescue his poll numbers, President Bush can rescue good immigration policy from the right wing that's exploited it, and he can provide presidential leadership that's humane, realistic and responsible."

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.

"It is not enough for President Bush to tell us he wants to increase security at our borders. After all, he's had five years to do it. If he wants to be credible on border security, he must acknowledge his mistakes and commit to fixing them."

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

"We must protect our borders, but militarizing our borders is a desperate response by the president to his and Republican Congress' policy failures."

Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill.

"We don't need a military solution to break a political stalemate."

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass.

"The National Guard already is stretched to the limit by repeated tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as providing disaster assistance in their own states."

Rep. Silvestre Reyes, D-Texas

"A wave of anti-American sentiment is already sweeping across Latin America, and a deployment of military forces to the U.S.-Mexico border will only fuel these views."