PenceBlog: <b>Free Congress Foundation Chairman Paul Weyrich calls Pence Plan "one great start" towards immigration solution<b> - U.S. Congressman Mike Pence : 6th District Of Indiana

Free Congress Foundation Chairman Paul Weyrich wrote this column today in support of the Pence Plan.

The following are excerpts from the column:

Into this political impasse has stepped the impressive, thoughtful and energetic Chairman of the House Republican Study Committee, Representative Mike Pence (R-IN). He has introduced a bill which possibly could serve as a compromise in trying to resolve the immigration issue.

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As to policy the Pence bill would do four things. First, it would secure the border. Pence believes, as do many of his House colleagues, that this is a matter of national security. He wants that done first and in that sense he is close to the House position as indicated in its bill.

Second, he would deny amnesty to anyone who has come to the United States illegally. That is in direct contradiction to the Senate bill which would, in effect, provide amnesty for current and perhaps future illegals.

Third, Pence would put in place a guest-worker program, without amnesty, to assist American employers who need temporary workers. But those who participate in the guest-worker program would be required to legally have entered our country.

Finally, the Pence bill would provide for tough sanctions against employers who hire illegals. Pence calls for a full partnership in this regard between American business and law enforcement to assure that his program works.

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The Pence plan represents the basis for a fair compromise between the House bill and the Senate measure.

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The Pence bill deserves serious consideration. It is perhaps fine emotionally to say we permanently should send home all illegal aliens. Even if we went to the expense of flying them all home, most would find a way to return. We simply do not know who is making it across our border. Pence should be applauded for seeking a reasonable compromise. All bills go through revisions before becoming law. No doubt the Pence bill can be refined. But it is one great start to try to find a solution to the immigration mess even if it has to await consideration until the next Congress.

posted by Pence Press Office # 9:29 AM