From The Road
February 2, 2008 4:33 PM

Huckabee signs Sen. Sessions' Immigration Pledge

By
Joy Lin
Topics
Mike Huckabee
(CBS)
From CBS News' Joy Lin:

TUSCALOOSA, ALA. -- Mike Huckabee has changed his mind and will sign an Alabama senator's immigration pledge for presidential candidates - an effort to defeat the McCain-Kennedy proposal in the U.S. Senate.

In Birmingham last week, Huckabee said he was almost ready to sign the pledge put forth by Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., but was on the fence regarding one of its aspects. "Which one?" a reporter asked.

Huckabee said it had to do with the 13th point of the 15-point pledge, one to "eliminate the visa lottery program and change current preference categories that guarantee automatic entry for aging parents and extended family members and replace it with a system that fairly and objectively evaluates at least 50% of applicants based on characteristics such as education, skills, English ability, and age."

Huckabee said he wasn't sure if the ratio for immigrants with advanced degrees was "arbitrary" or flexible enough for changing needs.

"Everything else about it is...absolutely fantastic," Huckabee said. "That's the one piece we haven't been able to completely work on. Hopefully we can get with Senator Sessions to get that verified."

Later at a rally in Tuscaloosa, Huckabee announced he would sign Sessions' pledge. Asked about the decision during the media avail that followed, he said, "Point 13 dealt with ratios of people in engineering-- we looked at that and decided it really is not a big issue and certainly not something that ought to keep us from signing it. It's very consistent with our 9-point immigration plan so I thought, what better time to do it than when I'm in Alabama."

Regarding the seemingly quick manner in which he decided to sign the pledge, he said, "We've been looking at it for about a week…I looked at it last night and today and decided when we got here that this would be a great time to sign the pledge."

Add a Comment
by dofrso0102 February 5, 2008 12:31 AM EST
Illegal means just that. Illegal immigrants are turning the USA into a third world country very fast. We cannot afford 20 million illegal immigrants on our welfare rolls, food stamps, WIC, subsidized housing and overwhelming our food banks. They all drive new vehicles because they do not have to pay living expenses like American taxpayers.
Reply to this comment
by jlc39 February 4, 2008 9:30 PM EST
I support secure borders, no amnesty, and enforcing our immigration and labor laws. My only disagreement is with everyone saying "Bush''s" amnesty plan. I kind of got the impression that it was Kennedy''s plan and Kennedy was holding withholding funding for the troops unless Bush supported the immigration reform bill. Fortunately, enough Republicans and some Democrats that value the sovereignty of the USA defeated that bill as well as other amnesty oriented bills. Securing our border and stopping the invasion should be the fiorst priority and then locate and prosecute anyone who knowingly hires an illegal alien should be next and then seek out and prosecute the criminals that are here.
Reply to this comment
by tom2749-2009 February 3, 2008 2:37 PM EST
The recent Bush amnesty bill would have opened the gates to 30 - 40 million third world immigrants with an average of what we call a 6th grade education. Where do they fit into the information age. There are only so many tomatoes to pick! as soon as they are legal they will head straight for the United Farm Workers and the cheap apples that the Presidunce wants will be gone.
Reply to this comment
by DrColes February 3, 2008 1:17 PM EST
Illegal Aliens and Immigration is NOT the same thing. Immigrant is a legal status granted by a sovereign country. We have to many folks who do not know and are ignorant or outright deceivers, confusing illegal alien workers calling them illegal immigrants with immigrants. Criminals did NOT build America; Citizens and LEGAL immigrants built it. 80% of the American people want an end to anarchy! This is NOT a Democrat, Republican, Independent issue. It''s an American Issue.

Illegal aliens are criminals, those who hire them are criminals and those who aid-and-abet them are criminals.

Illegal aliens in America have NO rights. We are required by law to arrest and prosecute, deport them. (Title 8 U.S. Code) To report illegal aliens call the DHS National Hotline 1 866 DHS 2ICE. (1-866-347-2523)

No, matter your political party affiliation, and setting aside your thoughts on issues. We all need to remember what it is to be an American Citizen. We need to make sure our elected representatives obey their Oath of Office and keep their Oath of Allegiance. See http://***********/2znnvl Know whom you are voting for.
Reply to this comment
by nrobyar February 3, 2008 4:15 AM EST
Mike Huckabee is a true conservative with great new workable plans (Fair Tax, Preventive Health Car, ways to stimulae the economy,will secure the borders and give us a strong military. He has never wavered in his stands on the issues and you know he is not flip-flopping. If a candidate can''t even remember what he said (Romney in the debate)and just tells untrue facts (walked with MLK, life long hunter)then has to retract how can we believe anyting he says...VOTE MIKE!!!!
Reply to this comment
by Ruidu February 2, 2008 9:46 PM EST
My Arkansas born and raised Daddy always told me, %u201CIts a good life if you don%u2019t weaken%u201D. Now is the time not to weaken for Mike Huckabee! He needs our money, our voices, and our time until Feb. 5th. Let%u2019s take back the White House for America, and say no to more of the same with Mitt Romney or John McCain (John McKennedy)!
Reply to this comment
by nyfilmmaker February 2, 2008 9:22 PM EST
What is unfortunate is that politicians on both sides of the isle campaign toward the right or left during their respective primary. Then when they win their party''s nomination they move toward the center.

I hope all the politicians running for President will show the courage required to find the middle ground on immigration reform in the U.S. (I doubt it, but one can always hope.)

Please tell us what you stand for on one of the most complex issues facing America today. We are a nation of immigrants and if we intend on growing this country, the alternative is shrinking it, we need a comprehensive reform plan that takes into account border security as well as the benefits we have received from this growth of population and economy.

Angelo Mancuso
Director
"American Harvest" documentary - The Real Truth About Immigrant America
http://www.americanharvestmovie.com


Reply to this comment
by johnpmorris February 2, 2008 8:18 PM EST
If you''ve seen Huckabee''s 9 point plan, it''s pretty impressive. You can see it at his site: www.mikehuckabee.com

Huckabee is a strong conservative, a the great communicator that Republicans need to put up against Barack Obama.

"Give Hope Another Chance"
www.mike-huckabee.blogspot.com
Reply to this comment
.

Follow From The Road

Scroll Left
Scroll Right More »
CBS News on Facebook
  • Building You a Better Morning

  • CBS This Morning

    "CBS This Morning," anchored by Charlie Rose, Gayle King and Erica Hill, airs weekdays from 7 to 9 a.m. ET and at the same time in other time zones.
    Learn more...