CAPS accepts Rep. Paul Ryan's offer to debate "amnesty"

SANTA BARBARA, Calif., June 13, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) offered to "debate anybody" who says that immigration proposals in Congress constitute amnesty, and his offer has been accepted by the nonpartisan group, Californians for Population Stabilization (CAPS), which supports lower levels of immigration.

"Clearly, the current Senate bill includes an amnesty," said Jo Wideman, executive director of CAPS. "In fact, it's not amnesty-lite; it's amnesty-plus."

"Under a normal amnesty, the wrongdoer does not keep the stolen merchandise or other gains of the illegal behavior. When a library offers an amnesty on library fines, the library user does not get to keep the book. Under the Senate bill and other proposals, those who have broken into our country, not only are allowed to stay here, but they are also put on a path to citizenship, ahead of those who have not broken our laws."

"There are many good reasons we seldom offer amnesty to lawbreakers. A primary purpose of punishment is to deter illegal activity. It is extremely difficult to deter illegal behavior by rewarding illegal behavior. Legal status, the ability to live and work in the United States, is the very goal sought by those who decided to break our immigration laws and our labor laws. This incentive will lead to more illegal immigration," said Wideman.

In 1986, Congress passed, and President Reagan signed, the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) that awarded amnesty to 2.7 million illegal aliens. This led to increased illegal immigration and now there are at least 11 to 12 million illegal aliens in the U.S.

Rep. Ryan told a forum sponsored by the National Association of Manufacturers, "I will debate anybody who tries to suggest that these ideas that are moving through Congress are amnesty. They're not."

CAPS has contacted Rep. Ryan's office by phone, email, and postal mail, and is awaiting a reply. "We think the American public will benefit from this timely debate. We look forward to debating Ryan anytime and anyplace," Wideman stated.

SOURCE Californians for Population Stabilization

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