Byron York: Rand Paul's immigration plan doesn't start with legal ...

According to Byron York, Rand Paul?s immigration plan begins with the border and does not confer legal status on an illegal until both government agencies and Congress has signed off on the border:

WASHINGTON EXAMINER ? Despite press reports, it appears Sen. Rand Paul?s immigration proposal is strikingly different from existing proposals in one critical respect: It does not confer immediate legalization on the estimated 11 million immigrants currently in the country illegally.

The Gang of Eight proposal, although still not in legislative form, would create a three-step process for reform. The first step would be immediate legalization for all those here illegally, provided they do not have a serious criminal record. The second step would be increased border security. And the third step would be a path to citizenship.

Paul, according to top aides, would begin with border security, without immediate legalization. Under his proposal, the border would have to be verified secure by some government agency and then ? this is a key step for Paul ? voted on by Congress on a yearly basis. Only after Congress declares the border secure would the process of legalization, and then a path to citizenship, begin.

READ MORE?

I?m trying to be as accurate as possible here so as not to misconstrue his immigration plan as something it is not. I?ve heard disagreement on whether or not he actually offers a path to citizenship for illegals, as some have said the AP got it wrong this morning.

For now, here is what Rand Paul actually said about his immigration plan in his speech this morning:

How do we now reflect this in our 21st century immigration policy?

It is absolutely vital for both the success of our immigration policy and for the purposes of national security that we finally secure our borders.

Not to stop most immigrants from coming-we welcome them and in fact should seek to increase legal immigration.

The Republican Party must embrace more legal immigration.

Unfortunately, like many of the major debates in Washington, immigration has become a stalemate-where both sides are imprisoned by their own rhetoric or attachment to sacred cows that prevent the possibility of a balanced solution.

Immigration Reform will not occur until Conservative Republicans, like myself, become part of the solution. I am here today to begin that conversation.

Let?s start that conversation by acknowledging we aren?t going to deport 12 million illegal immigrants.

If you wish to work, if you wish to live and work in America, then we will find a place for you.

In order to bring conservatives to this cause however, those who work for reform must understand that a real solution must ensure that our borders are secure.

But we also must treat those who are already here with understanding and compassion.

The first part of my plan ? border security ? must be certified by Border Patrol and an Investigator General and then voted on by Congress to ensure it has been accomplished.

This is what I call, Trust but Verify.

With this in place, I believe conservatives will accept what needs to come next, an issue that must be addressed: what becomes of the 12 million undocumented workers in the United States?

My plan is very simple and will include work visas for those who are here, who are willing to come forward and work.

A bipartisan panel would determine number of visas per year. High tech visas would also be expanded and have a priority. Special entrepreneurial visas would also be issued.

Fairness is key in any meaningful immigration reform, but this fairness would cut both ways:

The modernization of our visa system and border security would allow us to accurately track immigration.

It would also enable us to let more people in and allow us to admit we are not going to deport the millions of people who are currently here illegally.

This is where prudence, compassion and thrift all point us toward the same goal: bringing these workers out of the shadows and into being taxpaying members of society.

Imagine 12 million people who are already here coming out of the shadows to become new taxpayers.12 million more people assimilating into society. 12 million more people being productive contributors.

Conservatives, myself included, are wary of amnesty. My plan will not grant amnesty or move anyone to the front of the line.

But what we have now is de facto amnesty.

The solution doesn?t have to be amnesty or deportation-a middle ground might be called probation where those who came illegally become legal through a probationary period.

My plan will not impose a national ID card or mandatory E-Verify, forcing businesses to become policemen.

We should not be unfair to those who came to our country legally. Nor should we force business owners to become immigration inspectors-making them do the job the federal government has failed to do.

After an Inspector General has verified that the border is secure after year one, the report must come back and be approved by Congress.

In year two, we could begin expanding probationary work visas to immigrants who are willing to work. I would have Congress vote each year for five years whether to approve or not approve a report on whether or not we are securing the border.

We should be proud that so many want to come to America, that it is still seen as the land of opportunity.

Let?s make it a land of legal work, not black market jobs. Let?s make it a land of work not welfare. Our land should be one of assimilation, not hiding in the shadows.

On immigration, common sense and decency have been neglected for far too long. Let?s secure our borders, welcome our new neighbors, and practice the values of freedom and family for all to see.

Source: http://www.therightscoop.com/rand-pauls-immigration-plan-doesnt-start-with-legal-status/

seabiscuit dingo nba all star weekend malin akerman jeff carter chomp national enquirer