Gingrich backs "path to legality" for some

Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich (with his wife Callista, left) greet supporters at Books-A-Million in Naples, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 26, 2011, during a book signing event.

/ Erik Kellar/AP Photo

NAPLES, Fla. - Speaking to an overflow crowd here this weekend, Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich did not back down from his call for a "path to legality" for illegal immigrants who have lived in the United States for 25 years or more and who have established family and community ties. The former speaker of the House also scolded his GOP rivals for calling his proposal amnesty.

"I'm glad to take the heat," he said to a packed house of more than 700 people at a Hilton hotel. "But I want to take the heat for what I actually said and not what one of my friends, you know, decided they would distort."

Gingrich's proposed "path to legality" was seized on in Tuesday night's GOP candidate debate by former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota, both of whom charged Gingrich with supporting amnesty.

"I am not for amnesty for 11 million people. I'm actually not for amnesty for anyone," Gingrich told the audience Friday. "But I am for a path to legality for those people whose ties are so deeply into America that it would truly be tragic to try to rip their family apart."

Gingrich said that before the government addresses the more than 11 million illegal immigrants already in the country, it should take a number of steps, including securing the border, making English the official language, instituting a guest worker program, and simplifying the system for obtaining visas.

Then, Gingrich said, "I do think we ought to have an honest conversation about what are we going to do about the people who are already here.

"And the point I tried to make the other night was, I think for the vast majority of them, they should go home."

Photos: Newt Gingrich
Full CBS News coverage: Newt Gingrich

But he said he would allow exceptions for longtime residents with deep community ties and no criminal records: "I do think if you have somebody in your neighborhood who's been here 25 years and they belong to your church and they have two kids and three grandkids and they've been paying taxes and working hard that entire time, it's going to be very, very hard to get the American people to agree that we're going to tear up those families and expel them," Gingrich said.

He suggested that a local community board would decide which illegal immigrants would be allowed to stay, a model similar to one during World War II in which citizen judges decided who would be drafted into the war. "It gets to be a matter of judgment," he told reporters later. "Is somebody really a part of the fabric of the community, or are they not?"

Meanwhile, Bachmann continued her criticism of Gingrich, saying in an appearance on Fox News on Saturday that he has a "deep history of supporting amnesty." She referred to a 2004 letter co-signed by Gingrich and other policy makers and sent to the Wall Street Journal.

A section of the letter states, "President Bush has proposed a new legal path to work in the U.S. through a temporary worker program that will match willing workers with willing employers. We applaud the president and believe his approach holds great promise to reduce illegal immigration and establish a humane, orderly, and economically sensible approach to migration that will aid homeland security and free up border-security assets to focus on genuine threats.

"The president has shown courage by calling on Congress to place reality over rhetoric and recognize that those already working here outside the law are unlikely to leave. Congress can fulfill its role by establishing sufficient increases in legal immigration and paths to permanent residence to enable more workers to stay, assimilate, and become part of America."

[bluerepub]

When looking at the real economic numbers and the cost effect results of our foreign policy closely, one can only conclude that we have become a welfare/warfare state that has already entered into a Depression, while heading towards ever more endless wars, complete bankruptcy, and the collapse of an America which we have known for more than two centuries.

There are far more of us than those who represent the special interest group financed establishment which continues to benefit from all of the above at the expense of average Americans. Most of us can at least sense that something is drastically wrong yet we remain on our path to self-destruction if we allow status quo politicians with status quo policies to continue on.

Whether you are a member of the Tea Party, OWS, any other group, or simply a disenfranchised individual who sees little hope, please look up, learn about, and help Ron Paul become president anyway you can. The only way we lose is if we continue to remain divided.

Had we voted Ron Paul into office in 2008 we would at this time be well on our way to recovering the American dream. Fortunately it looks like we have one more chance to get it right. It's probably our last chance, however, because within four years of continued status quo leadership and policies we will find ourselves in the midst of a full scale Depression and all the turmoil that it brings.

Even if you disagree with Ron Paul on a position or two please don't let that stop you from supporting him. Even in such a situation consider if Ron Paul won't get you 80% of what you want while getting the country back on track to recovery. At such time it will be easier to argue about the 20% that is missing than under present status quo leadership. If we were to all wait for a candidate that gives us 100% of what we want then we will remain divided and there will be no hope.

During this critical time in history let's come together as a country to show that we as a people can overcome the special interest group financed status quo candidates to support and vote Ron Paul into office in 2012 so that we and our children have a better future. Please pass this on to everyone you know.

From a concerned citizen

[duncansonandrew]

Things are bad for a Republican Presidential candidate when someone like "Crazy Glue" Bachmann has to keep throwing the red flag up in the air whenever Newt walks all over the conservative base of the party.

[nearl451]

I'm no Gingrich fan, but this does show leadership on his part... in ability to stick by a principle regardless of the polls. His position is also far more practical andeconomical than the alternative suggested by bloggers and his rivals alike.

[nonpolitico]

I agree. It seems quite statesmanlike to avoid the "superpatriot--keep `em all out" attitude that a lot of the candidates, Rep. or Dem. seem to adopt to cater for the Populist audience!

[LG1011]

Gingrich and all others need to deport all illegal individuals no matter how long they have been here. My wife is from another country and we followed the immigration laws and it took a few years for her to become a citizen but she is now. I know illegals that are here in this country and they are getting help from the government in rent assistance, food, daycare etc. This is not right! It may be tough on those that have been here, but illegal is what the word says...it is a crime. If I commit a crime I have to pay the price through the justice system. So if the illegals are here send them back.

[openmindedopinionated]

I agree!!! If they can't become a u.s. citizen then they must have something to hide. If you want a better life for your family thats greate but Do what you need to do or leave. I'm tired of all the crime these illegals are bringing!

[formerusmcsgt1]

Any repub candidate who shows any compassion for minorities is DOA with the base.

[LG1011]

I understand this man is a republican candidate and is making this stupid stand but Obama has done nothing to rid this country of the illegal people in this country, actually what President has?

[nonpolitico]

True. But isn`t that just a sign of these troubled times??

[Lerianis4]

The best thing to do to solve the illegal immigrant problem is to allow all immigration from Mexico and Canada (if you are a citizen of those two countries) no visa necessary.
That would solve 95%+ of our immigration problems in the United States today and would solve the problem of illegal immigrants supposedly depressing wages for jobs.

[krotec54]

Sure hope they bring lots of money and jobs, and should we be preparing for higher taxes on everything to pay for healthcare for these immigrants or will they pay higher taxes for their stay in America?

[nonpolitico]

You`re right Lerianis. The EU set up included involving 27 different countries and allowing all citizens of all 27 to have entry into all other countries.
No "illegal aliens" at a stroke.
Unfortunately there are still barriers as the poorer countries now rush to the richer for better prospects.
EU now having problems just like USA.
Problems of different sorts will occur as long as human society exists.
The whole world is coming closer together. Possibly in 100 years the world MAY develop into a full Democracy on the lines of the USA, but somehow I doubt this the way things are going in 2011!!!

[gilliamjf]

It's tragic only that Newt has decided to persecute the LGBT community.

[formerusmcsgt1]

by TistheSeason November 27, 2011 2:10 AM EST
Sarge, I wish we'd have had that chance in life. I am sure we'd have had a great time!
---
And even more importantly, a tight unit.

Good night, my friend.

[formerusmcsgt1]

by Dan1612 November 27, 2011 2:07 AM EST
So, saving lives is not a good thing? More medics won the medal of honor, than any other occupation...EVER!!!
---
In Vietnam ther were 150 MOH winners - 16 of which were medics - and they weren't driving ambulances.

[formerusmcsgt1]

by Dan1612 November 27, 2011 2:07 AM EST
So, saving lives is not a good thing?
---
Of course it is.

But it's a far cry from showing "valor in the face of the enemy".

That is what's required to win a Silver Star, pal.