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Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Obama White House site vows to “bring people out of the shadows”
The immigration plan includes bringing people “out of the shadows” by supporting “a system that allows undocumented immigrants who are in good standing to pay a fine, learn English, and go to the back of the line for the opportunity to become citizens.”
It also includes protecting “the integrity of our borders” by supporting “additional personnel, infrastructure and technology on the border and at our ports of entry.”
Read more of the plan here.
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Lawmakers rejoice at border agents’ commutation
Lawmakers on Capitol Hill rejoiced after former President Bush commuted the sentences of two Border Patrol agents who are serving long prison sentences. Bush took the action on his last full day in office.
The agents — Jose Alonso Compean and Ignacio Ramos — were serving 12 and 11 years, respectively for shooting a Mexican drug runner and trying to cover it up.
Supporters say that the agents were wrongly convicted for protecting the United States against a criminal illegal immigrant. The case has been a cause celebre among conservative radio talk show hosts across the country.
Under the commutation, the prison sentence for Compean and Ramos will end on March 20.
Lawmakers from both parties lobbied heavily for Bush to commute the sentences.
Here is a sample of Capitol Hill reaction:
Sen. John Cornyn of Texas: “I am extremely pleased the president answered my plea, and that of like-minded colleagues and millions of Texans and Americans, in commuting the sentences of Border Patrol Agents Ramos and Compean. These individuals have already paid the consequences of their actions and beyond. Having been convicted of charges now second-guessed by even the presiding prosecutor, this case cried out for a commutation and the president has now acted to right the wrongs of their excessive and unjust sentences.”
Rep. Dana Rohrabacher of California: “Our prayers have been answered! This is not just a day of celebration for the families but it is a victory for all Americans, while acknowledging our system is flawed, to see that if they are involved, if they speak up and utilize their freedom, injustices can be corrected. The hearts of all patriotic Americans are filled with joy at the announcement that our brave border defenders, Ramos and Compean, will be freed from unjust captivity. “
Read more about the commutation here.
