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Second Huckabee Update: His “No-Amnesty” Pledge has a major loophole
On a re-reading, it becomes apparent that the Pledge itself (quoted in the previous post) is very weak. By itself, the Pledge is hardly different from anything that McCain might say. Most troubling is the language: “I pledge to oppose amnesty or any other special path to citizenship …” This implies that “amnesty” means a special path to citizenship. Therefore if Huckabee opposes a special path to citizenship, he has opposed amnesty. Which means that under this Pledge he could allow legalization of illegals. Indeed there is NOTHING in this Pledge that precludes the instant legalization of all illegal aliens in the U.S. And, of course, legalization of illegal aliens—permanent legal residency in the U.S.—is the real desire of illegals and their advocates, not citizenship. So I am very disappointed that Roy Beck did not insist that the Pledge itself include language specifically barring granting any legal status or anything having the color of legal status to illegal aliens. It cannot be said often enough that amnesty means giving an illegal alien legal status in the United States. It doesn’t mean merely barring an illegal from citizenship, while allowing him to live legally in the U.S. for the rest of his life.. Now, point Number 2 in Beck’s informal understanding with Huckabee (again see the previous post) seems to cover that problem, by saying, “They will not get any legal status while here that allows them to remain long-term.” Yes, this is good. But why isn’t this key provision in the Pledge itself? Why is it only in an informal agreement, made with a handshake? How easy would it be for Huckabee as President to legalize illegals, while claiming that this is not amnesty, since he is not giving them a “special path” to citizenship.
This is deeply disappointing. If Huckabee were serious about opposing the legalization of illegal aliens, he would have said so in the Pledge that he signed on television. Email entry |