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Amnesty for border security failed in '86; will it work now?

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    Reaction from Michael Reagan

  • Duration 6:16
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I believe in the idea of amnesty.

For those who have put down roots and who have lived here even though some time back.

Very they may have entered illegally.

Ronald Reagan back -- 1984 presidential debate discussing his support for amnesty.

Reagan eventually back amnesty for three million undocumented workers in 1986 with the hope there would be strict border enforcement.

Yet more than two decades later enforcement is still a big problem and now bipartisan group of senators announcing this week.

That they want to create a path to citizenship with the promise of once again stricter border enforcement as a means to overhaul the nation's immigration policy.

Earlier talked to Michael Reagan to look back on the impact of his father's decision in 86.

And the loud chorus in Washington now calling for major immigration reforms.

My father are still waiting for border security's been gone from.

From the United States American died in 2004.

We need to live up to what happened in 1986 understood -- as -- And secure our borders before we do -- fully everything.

He had Chuck Schumer earlier this week's talking about that that securing the borders should not be the academy of dealing with the illegals in this country back there in 86.

People might remember.

The argument was that if we don't secure the border but we're giving amnesty it's going to just give us a great influx of more illegals into this country that's exactly.

What happened and that's what we need to do first take care of the border.

Then you start dealing with the eleven million people are here but you also have to -- The whole immigration policy in the United States America you can't stay in line.

For 1015 years to get into America that's why so many of the brains are going to other countries of the world who seem to want them America.

Does seem to want anybody anymore.

Did your -- regret that decision knowing that the enforcement was elusive.

I actually Demi felt for those people who were here illegally do something about it but he also was upset with the fact.

That the border was never secured -- Simpson was -- which in fact was promised -- and in that piece of legislation what a lot of people don't understand -- -- -- cut out -- -- program back in 1960 because the farm labor unions.

We -- so much stop.

Hispanics from coming into the United States America what we stopped was banned from going home.

To their countries of origin such an idea this great group of Hispanics here who were now -- legal.

Because -- -- our program was stopped a -- -- fairways on the other side of the border who didn't want to be what those families in the United States.

There's a lot to this issue that needs to be fixed and we need to get to the bottom of -- and build it from the bottom.

Up not from the top down.

You wrote Diana column I just yesterday saying Republicans should be welcoming and embracing immigrants not appearing to scare them off.

Don't party changes Democrats will own the Latino vote the way they own the black vote if the Republicans continue to hold onto this issue of border enforcement do you think.

It risks the possibility that the Republicans will still see he's seen as someone as a group -- obstructing any progress on immigration.

-- -- Just the reality of it is going to be even those suspects who were here and people from other countries they understand the securing the border of the United States American -- -- people -- and end up taking very jobs or taking their jobs and they're pushing the -- down.

In fact if you will so they understand border enforcement what happens though.

Is that the Republican Party you only hear the the the outrageous statements about send everybody home pick up the eleven million.

Ship overall pick the kids who have been here since -- -- Herb aboard another country brought here by their parents illegally who have gone to school.

Send them home.

Ronald Reagan there are parts of the DREAM Act.

That even Ronald Reagan wouldn't fact support and he is president would bring people into the White House.

And -- areas of agreement get that legislation.

And sign on did that.

Piece of legislation.

We don't need to be talking about this today and angry way we need to figure out of a right way to deal with it have -- -- from the bottom up start with the borders secure the border.

Then deal -- immigration policies.

Better not allowing people into this country making them wait in line for ten to fifteen years -- a friend of mine who waited -- seventeen years.

To become a citizen of the United States America that's outrageous.

By that time you just go home to another country if you will to a whole policy and program need to be fixed didn't deal with the eleven million.

But the -- That people -- just gonna Willy -- come forward.

You know people who have broken the law are gonna show op.

-- be shipped home it just just stupid on its face that's not going to happen.

Something else needs to be done.

Hot in the final moment I have would you let me ask you really quickly -- and your thoughts about.

Why do you think the White House is bringing up this issue now there are those who are concerned that this White House is trying to bring about wearing wedge issues to a student -- stark contrast to the GOP and the Democrats do you see this as a wedge.

Issue for the campaign.

Oh yeah -- -- the wedge issue -- -- -- the president tried Jewish.

You know he doesn't want to lose the senate in 2014.

Is trying to make this a wedge issue to take back -- represented.

But I'll tell you I spoke in Florida the Friday before Thanksgiving to a group of 400 people.

And I said you knew you need to be in breaking while -- just not talking about him he was inclusive not exclusive.

The Republican Party right now is sounding like -- exclusion not inclusion of what I did whom I was yes.

I think it would all the blacks in the room please now -- Nobody stood up I think that would be a Spanish please stand up nobody stood up.

So -- -- we start.

Deal bringing people who table where we're setting the table instead it would work clearing the table nothing's going to change a good friend of mine what changes.

Shouldn't -- from Michael economy which has done that.

We have Republicans need to reach out to people who are doing it -- -- to the to the Martinez has to -- to -- the cruises.

And bring people who understand the issue to the table.

Instead of people who in fact just one -- have rhetoric about the issue.