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Manhattan Institute’s Heather MacDonald and FNC Digital Politics Editor Chris Stirewalt on immigration reform.
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And of illegal -- joining us now to discuss this -- the impact on immigration reform.
Manhattan institute fellow and city journal contributing editor Heather MacDonald Fox News digital politics senator Frist.
The nation's capital Chris it -- Is the nation's capital all abuzz with -- these the hence the utterly outrageous claim that they White House originated this leak.
Oh well old brother dobbs you know very well that -- leaks do not happen by accident Washington and as you.
Mr.
-- pointed out mr.
McDonough -- testimony on the Sunday shows and -- very clear that this leak was something that they wanted.
They'd like -- goad congress into giving the president what he wants.
On illegal immigration which is -- rapid amnesty.
Unconditional and of rapid pathway to citizenship.
Those things are true and if it doesn't work out and the president doesn't get nobody wants to be perfectly content to attack Republicans with the issue.
Calling them xenophobic and racist.
In the run up to the mid term elections.
-- all of that we've heard before Heather McDonald.
Is that likely to be effective.
Is either idea.
The art art art talk -- is Senator McCain suggested or.
Any kind of threat.
-- -- I'm afraid I don't get any of this I think it's all Kabuki theater in fact there is not significant difference between.
President Obama's proposal and the bipartisan proposal.
The basic fact of both of them is an amnesty and I would be willing to bet.
That under the gang of eight proposal we have -- quicker path to legalization.
Than the eight years proposed in the Obama.
In the Obama.
How -- absolutely I don't believe that we will go given the current pressure.
Against enforcement that we will go eight years without converting probationary status into.
A green card and frankly the real.
The real goal of this is the probationary status once you get an illegal alien.
Probationary status he's basically legal and both plans do that from day one.
Do you agree Rebecca Chris you believe this is just as there's others -- -- to review bitter political theater you will.
Contrived and directed toward one result that is -- swift implementation of what is a a fait accompli that is exactly what the president wants.
Well we do -- theater down here better than any place else in the world.
Apologies to our Japanese cousins but the truth is.
The Republicans conservatives are fighting right now -- this question and Heather who whose work I have long admired and it was very Smart and I'm very honored to be armed with her.
The truth is this.
For conservatives the question is what is the condition because they know that the game is up once you have the initial amnesty whatever you call it.
The question that conservatives are wrestling is.
What do today get in return for the a -- original amnesty full implementation of border security what are the things that they get in exchange for that and this is being long dance that is being played out among conservatives and Republicans especially house Republicans.
Between this gang -- main house Republicans right now.
What the president's.
Emission.
Over the weekend did was set the goal post further back make it harder in terms of this because remember and don't forget this -- only be cynical politics because this is I live -- will -- land.
The truth is this that Republicans have that they desperately need to get past this issue and quit talking about it so any deal that they could do that would get them out of this jail.
They'd be happy to have.
They won't do -- this this allows the gang -- and Marco Rubio to position themselves as immigration hawks and it's a good cop bad cop routine and so now.
The alternative if you want enforcement.
Is the gang of -- amnesty proposal.
I would say what they really should be bargaining for which they've already given up so this is all irrelevant is to move -- legal immigration system.
Towards priority for skilled immigrants away from family reunification.
That was in senator rubio is original plan and that's now gone so at this point nothing really matters.
-- who looked like a leader on this right now looks as though he is going to be that he's been marsh -- to a large degree -- Press other and and while he will emerge from what ever happens here I think stronger.
As a leader of the Republican Party.
-- it's pretty clear right now that the Republicans are not going to be able to say to -- Hispanic American.
Potential voters.
That you know you've got to come with us we want better than 30% participation.
In your in your franchise.
-- do you think we -- here Chris.
Well Republicans have a huge problem with Mexican American voters there's no question about that that's that is -- major blight on their party.
Infusion demographics but.
Here's the deal yes when it comes to Smart people who do real policy on these issues.
There is a lot to be said about the question.
Would these guest worker visas and the question about skilled workers -- not skilled.
The name of the game for Republicans as.
What you do with about people who were already here how do you address those folks.
And for the Republicans what they're hoping for they're not allowed to say it out loud anymore because -- Mitt Romney but what they're hoping for a self deportation.
But once -- verified systems like that can into place that people who are not saleable serviceable workers.
Eventually leave the country it's it's a it's a tough call for the party they're they're at a real crossroads right there is.
Chris being unlawful armed.
Which he says -- -- he sounded to me like he was gloriously optimistic good if.
I'm not.
I think he's inside the beltway I think this is say all -- fair value can't I guarantee clo and -- come back and debate this.
In a month this is all gonna blown over and we will be back to the gang of -- proposal.
It is it is as much as anybody can have before and I promise you we will see.
Legalization full legalization before eight years.
And before eight years and -- by the -- it will not make that bet with you and I'll leave it up your Christmas of course to have your investor I wanna -- back five what -- had to -- -- what the bad thing about them but the idea here that this is somehow.
Resolved.
And that there will not be cord -- chain migration that is.
An emphasis on -- bringing families in this country eleven million there -- no number being issued here.
And I've always said that that's one of the I'm deeply troubling things -- you give us a number they're after eleven million illegal immigrants of the country.
Then please just say -- -- -- about eleven.
Million.
Opportunities or whether they be in the form of -- or whatever form that liked it.
I suspect that the number is going to be well -- but -- -- you.
It will be well north of that thanks to chain migration.
I even if there's only eleven million illegal aliens here.
They will then become qualified to bring in their spouse and there's an in the turn a broader range after that so.
Analysts are all there you're there you are you and you thought that that -- -- and I'm not not been officially -- It's okay outside the gang of two has defeated man that's -- I'd -- that is buying them re release we've seen -- we come together.
We offer one another council thank you very much so -- is that.
