Is Newt Gingrich Right About Immigration?
As former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich rises to the top of the GOP 2012 field, his immigration plan has become a target for his Republican rivals. Specifically his proposal to “Create a path to earned legality for some of the millions of people who are here outside the law” has drawn heavy criticism from conservatives. He defends it as “humane,” arguing, “I am for a path to legality for those people whose ties run so deeply in America that it would truly be a tragedy to try and rip their family apart.” However, former Gov. Mitt Romney said it would create “a new doorway to amnesty,” and Rep. Michele Bachmann said that Gingrich “probably has the most liberal position on illegal immigration of any of the candidates in the race.” Some immigration activists have embraced Gingrich’s willingness to challenge the status quo of the Republican platform on immigration while other activists insist that his plan does not go far enough. Here is the Debate Club’s take on Newt Gingrich’s immigration plan.
The Arguments
No — Immigrant bashing is not humane, moderate, or good for the U.S.
CHRIS NEWMAN, Legal Director and General Counsel at the National Day Laborer Organizing Network Comment (6)
No — Former speaker's "progressive" plan just a sign of how anti-immigration the GOP has become
MARSHALL FITZ, Director of Immigration Policy at the Center for American Progress Comment (4)
No — Gingrich asks the right questions on immigration but his policy falls short in answering them
FRANK SHARRY, Founder and Executive Director of America's Voice Comment (4)
Yes — Gingrich asks Republicans to have an open and honest dialogue
LUIS ALVARADO, Strategic Advisor for Revolvis Consulting Comment (5)
Yes — Former speaker's honesty is refreshing, no matter what his GOP rivals say
TAMAR JACOBY, President of ImmigrationWorks USA Comment (3)
No — Unrealistic criteria for amnesty would almost surely be watered down, making matters worse
MARK KRIKORIAN, Author of 'The New Case Against Immigration, Both Legal and Illegal' and 'How Obama is Transforming America Through Immigration' Comment (5)
