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Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, attorney Alberto Cardenas, FNC legal analyst Lis Wiehl on efforts to reform the U.S. immigration system.
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-- opportunity.
Joining us now on the dobbs form -- here.
Attorneys representing the ice agents and the co author of -- number of state anti illegal immigration laws.
The secretary of state of the great state of Kansas -- -- -- -- good to have you with us.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- I'm going to start -- -- make -- her back with you.
Your reaction first of the bipartisan plan that insists upon border security first.
Well a couple of things one is the the outlines of the -- we -- -- the specific central outlines look remarkably similar to hear what we saw in 20062007.
Last time we had a a big amnesty bill in front of the senate and -- I think that the biggest problem even though it does have some Republican signing on.
Is the fact that it's gonna cost us over two point six trillion dollars which was the price tag of the last amnesty.
Because when you give legal status to all of these illegal aliens they -- become eligible for food stamps Medicaid Medicare Social Security -- all these other programs.
And they are contributing in the so little in income and taking out so much and welfare that it would have Carter two point six trillion last time your true trillion have been.
Assumes that illegal immigrants would be able to avail themselves of welfare.
Senator rubio says absolutely not the gang of eight the bipartisan senators say absolutely not.
Let me -- let me give you.
The reaction to president Obama's a speech today that I wanna turn to yours but first over to take up -- -- those comments.
He said I am concerned by the president's unwillingness to accept significant enforcement triggers before current undocumented immigrants from apply for a green -- Without such triggers -- place enforcement systems will never be implemented and we'll be back in just a few years dealing with millions of new undocumented people in our country.
Furthermore the president ignored the need for a modernized guest worker program that will ensure those who want to immigrate legally to meet our economy's needs can do so on the future.
And final the president's speech lasting impression he -- reforming immigration quickly is more important them in reforming immigration.
Right -- battle your response.
I agree with what senator -- said -- gonna disagree with Chris the federal -- is clear if you are not.
An individual who has been here on a permanent green card for more than five years the -- can even consider giving you any type of government assistance period.
So that got up.
Really set forward I don't know where the two point six trillion.
Mark come from might note that lost wages.
We are losing certain revenue that could come into our tax system.
Quite frankly the president does need to look at the fact that congress is gonna -- the bill we elect a legislature or legislature.
Our house representatives and congress to.
Lead us in that exercise with the American people -- -- we're gonna have to get to.
You know Lou I think the president did make it a good speech yet again but speeches are not actions actions need to flotilla.
-- as -- -- it was a good speech are just said to her this audience that he said nothing of substance he offered no proposal no plan.
In fact it was 120 minutes -- frankly of wasted time when it comes to policy initiatives.
How do you say it's a good speech.
Well I noticed your interest only -- that over the top well we're getting the dialogue started you know and I thank you can't just sit back there America's growing up -- we give one another credit for actually just talking instead of actually doing that there.
Well it's -- here's what I like is is really do I -- also generous or you want.
I modest as generous I guess I'd buy any checked himself into this at this point where the gang of -- has come out with this proposed legislation right and saying pretty much knocking it down.
Saying no I'm not gonna shore up the you know that the borders and yeah I was sort of you know we did -- -- of one at this point continue to strengthen border security.
But that was -- about you know that's a far ahead -- -- Border security right -- edition preceding.
To -- -- it to the legislation.
That is anticipated by the -- gang of eight.
I.
Chris I understand your reservations that you are philosophically ideologically.
Are opposed to -- to this this an issue.
But in fact senator Schumer was rather constrained as as he -- on this issue for the Democratic Party.
Obviously John McCain has been here before side shoulder to shoulder with senator -- Ted Kennedy in 2006 and seven.
These people have to understand.
That the frustration of the past six or seven years will continue if both.
The president.
This is his apparent.
Intent is to -- a full -- and to give up nothing.
One he he the president gets a bit tiresome.
In this all or nothing approach to public policy.
What -- a way forward here from your whites Chris.
Well then let me just comment on -- I agree if you completely leave that the president is going for this all or nothing deal.
Now I will say that they gang of eight senate proposal is actually very heavily weighted toward the amnesty -- there's not much there on the enforcement.
-- -- it does have us senator Schumer fingerprints on it for example it doesn't say we will make.
It says will create a new system maybe ten years in the future fifteen years in the future and then we'll make it mandatory to verify employment so.
Even the senate deal is not much of a deal for those of us who care about the rule of law I think that we.
Countervailing influence our our I would have to.
I would have to offer.
Is the senator rubio.
He is he is a conservative.
-- he is knowledgeable on the subject he has worked on the subject.
Which is something that very few Republicans other than John McCain can camera kind of -- I think have been several.
Well -- you know we'll see where do you stand -- at this point it's all you know very vague talk -- -- you know we -- -- we do see actual -- That the prospect for progress though to your earlier question now.
Is we -- we can do a lot of smaller things.
That really makes sense like the stem jobs bill -- everybody in the room agrees that the stem jobs taking with a 55000 senator -- -- -- -- Senator rubio moving forward without that legislation -- was introduced as a so -- today.
So let's do that aren't so instead of tying it to an amnesty to so many things we -- do that we don't have to hold hostage next to an analyst I have let's move -- we agree yeah.
I don't know about you about -- but when I hear the words comprehensive these days are -- -- after years of this debate does struggle.
I sort of you know I just -- please just talk street no gamesmanship.
No politics -- create a public policy.
There will have we estimated eleven million we know it's certainly -- -- Eleven million people in this country who deserve that opportunity.
Your thoughts about how to go forward here.
You go forward by -- -- -- -- dealing with the eleven million what does that mean it means of enforcing border security it means having -- US visit US exit program so that we know when people leave a comment they leave.
We also have to have that.
Enhancement of knowing you know who were employed but we've also got to have that temporary worker program.
We're never going to be able to fill.
Out that needs that we have with our Visa system that's broken and we cannot happen Jesus we need if we don't get -- I don't really disadvantaged Americans you know I want to take upstairs and without.
