2008 GOP National Platform - Immigration

It appears the 2008 GOP platform on illegal immigration has changed from 2004 (amnesty) - for the better!!! The GOP apparently may have listen to its grassroots constituents' inputs - Now, if only the elected officials would now heed those wishes.

"Immigration, National Security, and the Rule of Law" shows up on page 3 of the 67 page document" - 2008 excerpts:

"Immigration policy is a national security issue, for which we have one test: Does it serve the national interest?"

"Experience shows that enforcement of existing laws is effective in reducing and reversing illegal immigration. Our commitment to the rule of law means smarter enforcement at the workplace, against illegal workers and lawbreaking employers alike, along with those who practice identity theft and traffic in fraudulent documents. As long as jobs are available in the United States, economic incentives to enter illegally will persist."

"the denial of federal funds, for self described sanctuary cities,"

"It does not mean driver’s licenses for illegal aliens, nor does it mean that states should be allowed to flout the federal law barring them from giving in-state tuition rates to illegal aliens, nor does it mean that illegal aliens should receive social security benefits, or other public benefits, except as provided by federal law."

THIS was REMOVED from the 2004 platform: "President Bush has proposed a new temporary worker program that applies when no Americans can be found to fill the jobs. This new program would allow workers who currently hold jobs to come out of the shadows and to participate legally in America’’s economy. It would allow men and women who enter the program to apply for citizenship in the same manner as those who apply from outside the United States."

Regrettably, they failed to include anything on "anchor babies." Inclusion of a restriction on the interpretation of the 14 th amendment giving citizenship to those born within the geographic boundaries of the US was defeated in the platform committee.

Click here for Michelle Malkin's comments on this immigration platform plank.

Now we will have to keep Pres. McCain on the straight and narrow on the issue!!! There appears some differences with McCain past positions:
"The 2004 platform also reflected the position of Arizona Senator McCain, who co-sponsored legislation last year that would have overhauled the immigration system and offered an estimated 12 million illegal immigrants a path to citizenship while tightening the border with Mexico and creating a guest- worker program. He has since said the U.S. must secure its borders before changing the system."