Republican Presidential Candidates on Immigration: Should Illegals Be Allowed To Stay in the US?

Newt Gingrich in particular was put on the hot seat for this question because of his history of having voted for amnesty in the past. Michele Bachmann doesn't let him off the hook. Gingrich states that he believes illegal immigrants who have been in the US for a long time (25 years) should be able to stay in the US (among a few other conditions). This position doesn't help his cause with the Republican base but could he be looking farther into the future with a more moderate stance in a possible general election scenario? As of this date, Gingrich has become the new leader in the GOP field in national polls. The lead has changed several times, it remains to be seen whether this one lasts...

Republican National Security Debate, CNN
Nov 22, 2011

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• national security debate
• republican
• presidential
• debate
• primary
• Election
• illegal immigration
• illegal immigrants
• illegal alien
• illegal aliens
• amnesty
• deport
• deportation
• dream act
• immigration
• illegal
• immigrant
• migrant
• immigration reform
• citizenship
• pathway to citizenship
• Mitt Romney
• romney
• newt gingrich
• gingrich
• bachmann
• michele bachmann
• michelle bachmann
• michele bachman
• michelle bachman
• mexico border
• national security
• gop
• g.o.p.
• grand old party
• green card

[jimmyjames133]

no matter how long they have been here illegally they should leave

[jimmyjames133]

@DAnny423h23 anybody who does should

[kcanniff1]

Two importing items here (read details at newt.org). 1. He's not giving citizenship to any of the 11 million! This means they can't vote, which has always been why the democrats have wanted amnesty so they can vote for them (history shows that minorities for democratic far more than republican). 2. There would be LOCAL BOARDS to decide who should stay and who should go. Who better to make the decision than those closest to the people. He said he would secure the border FIRST, so NO Magnets

[JIMBOSKI58]

Gingrich is putting the foot in his mouth like Perry. Perry played the "Heartless" card and now Gingrich is playing the "Humane" card.

[JIMBOSKI58]

Lets allow those with 25 years in the country to have amnesty. Then drop the time incremently to 15 years, then 10 year etc. Why 25 years out of the wild blue yonder. Twenty five or 5 years, its still amnesty. Gingrich is putting his foot in his mouth like perry but this time its the "Humane" card instead of the "Heartless" card.

[norandrostenedione]

We have no jobs in the U.S.A. democrats and some R's solution is to bring in hundreds of millions of more illegals and products from China. China has destroyed 57,000 factories. in the U.S., U.S.A imports 2 billion dollars per year worth of products from China and other countries. Close the border to illegals and forieign products. that will save the U.S.A. and allow us to have jobs again in the U.S.A. manufactoring is the key. china is growing at 9% per year.

[norandrostenedione]

We have no jobs in the U.S.A. democrats and some R's solution is to bring in hundreds of millions of more illegals and products from China. China has destroyed 57,000 factories. U.S.A imports 2 billion dollars per year worth of products from China and other countries. Close the border to illegals and forieign products. that will save the U.S.A. and allow us to have jobs again in the U.S.A. manufactoring is the key. china is growing at 9% per year.

[mistax2k]

Newt is an intellectual, in the good sense. He is an ideas guy and spends time studying issues and is on top of many. His position on immigration is one that a substantial number of republicans and many Americans actually support.

The activists who are caucus voters may not agree on a gut and emotional level with Newt but they are going to have a hard time debating him on merits and reason.

[DAnny423h23]

Should children be held accountable for violating immigration laws?

[DAnny423h23]

What if a child was brought to the United States as a child, and had no choice but to grow up, go to school, blend and consume american culture,after 25 years this child would be an American like any other. There should be amnesty for such cases.