Romney’s ‘Self-Deport’ Option Could Be Part of House Immigration Plan

Ianus · 04-30-2013, 11:42 PM

http://blogs.rollcall.com/goppers/ho...deport-option/

Quote:

The House immigration working group is mulling a proposal that involves “self-deportation” as part of a strategy to make a comprehensive overhaul acceptable to conservatives.

The concept was thrust into the national conversation by 2012 Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney. The former Massachusetts governor infamously suggested during the GOP primary campaign that illegal immigrants might leave the U.S. voluntarily — or “self-deport” — over time if the government eliminated incentives for them to stay, including the ability to find work. Romney was responding to a question about how to address the problem of undocumented residents short of forcible government roundups and deportations.

The remark was ridiculed by Democrats and later credited with costing Romney the Hispanic support he needed to run competitively against President Barack Obama. But the bipartisan House immigration working group is developing a proposal designed to make self-deportation an attractive option for undocumented immigrants as they navigate what would presumably be a completely new legal framework. The plan was detailed by a Republican congressional aide familiar with the House working group’s negotiations.

As I reported Monday, this new system would require illegal immigrants who want to legalize to plead guilty to breaking the law and accept a sentence of probation in federal court. The arduous path to citizenship also would mandate that newly legalized immigrants pay fines and back taxes. However, undocumented immigrants who either couldn’t afford or simply didn’t want to pay penalties that might run in the tens of thousands of dollars could avoid doing so.

Under a House working group proposal, illegal immigrants who wanted to forgo the payment of back taxes and fines would first have to identify as undocumented with federal authorities, probably within six months of the new immigration law going into effect. They would have another six months to leave the country, after which they could get in line to immigrate legally under a new system that would include expanded visa programs for high- and low-skilled workers intended to facilitate entry into the country for the purposes of obtaining employment.

“You can take advantage of new visa programs and not have to pay those back taxes,” the GOP congressional aide said.

The revamped and strengthened e-verify component of the proposed immigration overhaul is supposed to discourage these former undocumented immigrants from once again crossing the border illegally. How? House immigration negotiators are proposing stiff penalties for employees who hire undocumented individuals, and would simplify the e-verify process to make the checks easy to process. Businesses would have anywhere from six months to 18 months to achieve compliance, depending on their size.

Just last week, House Judiciary Chairman Robert W. Goodlatte, R-Va., scheduled hearings for an e-verify bill sponsored by immigration hardliner Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, and a bill to overhaul the employment visa program. The latter legislation was authored by Goodlatte. The House Judiciary committee also plans to grant a hearing to the Senate’s “gang of eight” proposal after it returns from this week’s recess.

bigdreamer2010 · 11:50 PM

Lol if you can't afford the fines more than likely you won't qualify for a high skilled visa. The house GOP is so full of it.

gebodupa · 05-01-2013, 12:22 AM

Sure, because "undocumented" people with income levels hovering above the poverty line, are known to have thousands of dollars hidden under their mattresses.

I guess, the silver lining is that with incomes so low their back taxes will likely be very low. Stupid plan, regardless.

Demise · 05-01-2013, 12:48 AM

"Touching back" (fancy way saying "leaving and praying to be re-admitted") was what made the 2007 bill a no-go (really, 2007 bill was fucking atrocious), and it is what will make this one a no-go either.

The leadership of the house either:
1) Is staffed by fucking retards.
2) Is staffed by assholes trying to covertly kill the reform.

Happyman0607 · 05-01-2013, 01:02 AM

Self-deport my fucking ass.. I'm not going no where..

Why don't they self-deport? Where the hell do they expect us to go? To a country we know nothing about? So out of touch its a little scary.. These politicians don't understand that us going back would be like us throwing them in china and telling them that's your home..

DA User · 05-01-2013, 01:12 AM

I like this one. Self Deport should be an option.

satnam · 05-01-2013, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DA User

I like this one. Self Deport should be an option.

It always was and is an "option". You can self deport now if you wish. Nothing stopping you.

It doesn't need to be allowed by some plan when it can be done already.

RabbitsFoot · 05-01-2013, 01:26 AM

do we have a clarification of "probation sentence in federal court" yet? do they simply want us to pay them a fine or they will also scar us for life with a criminal record?

NK74 · 01:36 AM

Actually, I would be very open in such a provision. I don't want to get on the roadway to citizenship, not now in any case and especially with the tough roadway ahead.

I would like to be able to travel back in the country though and not suffer through the 3-10 year bar.

Can you give me the right to return when I want to even as a tourist? I am signing up for it in a heartbeat.

DA User · 05-01-2013, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by satnam

It always was and is an "option". You can self deport now if you wish. Nothing stopping you.

It doesn't need to be allowed by some plan when it can be done already.

I know I guess they could continue to make this an option?

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Romney’s ‘Self-Deport’ Option Could Be Part of House Immigration Plan