WASHINGTON (AP) — Media mogul Rupert Murdoch, a man with his own immigration story, told Congress Thursday that securing the U.S. borders must be matched with efforts to ensure that employers can’t hire people who are here illegally.
Murdoch and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg testified before a House immigration subcommittee that last week featured comedian Stephen Colbert, who gave tongue-in-cheek testimony on the plight of farm workers.
The two high-profile witnesses who came to Capitol Hill Thursday couldn’t pack the hearing room, however, as Colbert did in his appearance last week.
Murdoch and Bloomberg have formed a coalition of businesses and mayors to push for immigration reform. The group supports providing a path to legal status for those in the country illegally. Murdoch himself was born in Australia and became a U.S. citizen in 1985.
“As an immigrant, I chose to live in America because it is one of the freest and most vibrant nations in the world. And as an immigrant, I feel an obligation to speak up for immigration policies that will keep America the most economically robust, creative and freedom-loving nation in the world,” he said.
The Obama administration has made cracking down on employers a centerpiece of its immigration policies.
The illegal immigrant population has tripled, even as the government has increased enforcement spending almost every year since 1992, said Murdoch. He said the wave of immigrants only started to crest when the country hit a recession.
“So our border security must also be matched with efforts to make sure employers can’t hire illegal immigrants,” Murdoch said.
Murdoch and Bloomberg said they believe Congress needs to help employers discern between workers authorized to work in the U.S and those who are not.
Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., told Murdoch she thought his support for immigration reforms in his testimony did not match the way the immigration issue is presented on Fox News, which is a large part of Murdoch’s News Corp. empire.
“Why don’t you use your power to help us promote what you are talking about?” Waters asked.
Fox News is not anti-immigrant, Murdoch said.
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Comments (66)
smalldog
Posted on October 1, 2010 at 7:25amWhat is the plan to send back the ones that are already here? The ones that arrive by the truck load?
What good is a border fence, or punishing employers when they keep coming and nobody is sending them back? Trying to identify them when they apply for public aid?
Report Post »scootydoo
Posted on October 1, 2010 at 6:34amI just lost allot of respect for Murdoch for sitting with Bloomberg and leave it to Maxine Waters to ask a stupid question.
Report Post »jose wasabi
Posted on October 1, 2010 at 6:09amBloomberg, Murdoch and Maxine Waters. There’s a group whose opinion everyone has to respect!
Report Post »barackem
Posted on October 1, 2010 at 2:39amLet’s make it clear. We tried comprehensive immigration reform with citizenship once before. It just caused tens of millions to come to this country illegally. I don’t really care about sending people who have been in this country for years back home. I especially don’t want to send kids who have grown up in this country their entire life back to a country they never even knew. But we should never, ever consider giving amnesty with citizenship rights to tens of millions of people who don’t necessarily have any loyalty to America. Any immigration reform should at most allow those who snuck into the country to gain temporary legal status that could be renewed based on certain stipulations that would require assimilation through English language classes and American Constitution classes that emphasize individual rights and responsibilities. Any comprehensive plan that would allow long term squatters to remain in the country as long term, renewable guest residents would have to include strict enforcement of immigration laws henceforth for those who avoid compliance. Anyone who wants to repeat the same amnesty requirements that were attempted under Reagan are nutz.In fact any politician who keeps being the compassionate leader by giving perks to illegals while arresting American businesses who hire should be automatically removed from office. If businesses are arrested for hiring illegals, politicians who offer freebies should be arrested for at least double the time for giving benefits and turning a blind eye. We have ignored immigration laws for millions of people in this country who’s hearts still lie with other countries and with their own ethnicity. We ignore those who fly the flags of foreign nations at the same time they burn American flags on our own streets. Our so called leaders have made a mockery of the rule of law. We are signing the death warrant on the most tolerant, most diverse nation that ever graced the planet if we continue to go down that road. We will just become one more balkanized nation that will eventually destroy itself from within. Thanks, but no thanks.
Report Post »neverending
Posted on October 1, 2010 at 1:46amWell I had some very HAD some very high regard for Murdoch – so much for that. People like him need to come here and live by the border – hear of all the murders on the local news everynight – help pay for the bastards health care, education and on and on – needless to say – I for one and sick of it.
Report Post »FeralCat
Posted on October 1, 2010 at 12:56amThe Dirty Little “Secret”:
The reason that politician supporters of Open Borders want it is so that they and/or their campaign contributors can have serf labor. They would probably prefer actual out-and-out slaves but that is illegal.
Open Borders Democrats also want it so that those who are now illegal can become legal and vote for them, if they aren’t voting for them already.
Does anyone think that many of these Open Borders politicians really care one wit otherwise for the illegals.
Does anyone think that any of the Open Borders politicians are going to invite these Mexican Indios and Mezclados to join their elite/exclusive golf clubs?
Come to live in their gated communities, other than as servants?
Invite them to their yachts, other than as low paid deck hands and/or servants?
Invite them to their cocktail parties?
Introduce them to their daughters?
The big majority of the Mexicans who have come here/will come here are Indios and Mezclados, not the Spanish descendant fair-skinned ruling class of Mexico. This is a form of ethnic cleansing by Mexico’s ruling class.
So these Open Borders politicians are aiding and abetting and facilitating ethnic cleansing.
If the U.N. were not such a joke, they would all be standing trial for trying to reintroduce a form of latter-day-slavery in the United States and for the mass ethnic cleansing of Mexico.
Report Post »FeralCat
Posted on October 1, 2010 at 12:52amWhen you hear the word ‘comprehensive’, hide the women and the booze.
Report Post »5000YRLEAPER
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 11:21pmNote: Has anyone figured that if we allow amnesty for illegal’s, that the drug lords, and all criminals, would have dual citizenship, given them the ability to walk across both borders freely do go about their criminal activities in both countries.
Report Post »libertybella58
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 11:56pmThat is so true. If given amnesty will illegals have to register and have a probation period? Will the government put chips in them to monitor them like cattle? Illegal is illegal even if there are millions of them from all over the world. What to do. If we build fences in the south, next thing we will be building fences north on Candian border.
Report Post »Barry Soetoro
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 11:07pmAs long as they don’t report that a natural born citizen is one born in the U.S. of two U.S. citizen parents, their daily dogma and pony show is cool with me.
Report Post »FYATroll
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 9:36pmIf they ACTUALLY scure the borders and ACTUALLY start bringing the hammer down on companies hiring illegals, then I’ll be ok with amnesty for those here. If they do what they did under Reagan, which is give amensty while promising the moon, only they didn’t deliver on anything, then no to amnesty.
That said, Maxine Watters lack of ability to understand the difference between immigration and illegal immigration is astounding.
Report Post »cheezwhiz
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 8:28pmSicboy
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 7:23pm
@cheezwhiz, you must have cheezwhiz for brains. Custodians, construction and all kinds of different occupations use illegals and new citizens with limited skills to bring down the price off labor. Your lack of knowledge is reflected by your name.
====================================================
I believe the same vastly experienced go-to expert the Congress depends on for policy matters on illegal alien amnesty , and that is Colbert.
If Colbert says illegals pick our produce, we have no reason to look beyond what he says and start injecting facts into policy matters. Colbert’s facts and knowledge are impeccable and the credentials of the parasites in Congress on the matter of amnesty are beyond reproach.
P.S
Get well soon and chill when you see this sign
:P
Report Post »MrButcher
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 8:25pmi agree with mr. murdoch. mexican illegals in good standing need to be granted amnesty and citizenship. it is the only prudent response to the situation. however, we must seal the boarder and stop the flow of illegals coming in in the future. amnesty is the humane response to their current condition. currently there are millions of illegals living in the shadows with no rights and no representation. now, i don’t LIKE how they got here anymore than you do but to forcably remove them would be a litigious nightmare and bad PR for our country.—sometimes you just gotta do the right thing.
Report Post »rmsuperglide
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 10:12pmThe right thing to do is arrest and deport all ILEGAL ALIANS to there country of origen!
Report Post »AngryTexanFromAmarillo
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 11:10pmI don’t care if they are the most outstanding people in there community, if they are here illegally they are CRIMINALS plain and simple. they need to be deported. They are breaking out laws by being here, They do not deserve amnesty if they are legal to be here I don’t care how hard working they are.
If I went to the local grocery store and stole food for my family to eat and I was caught I would be charged with a criminal offense and I would expect no less.
Report Post »5000YRLEAPER
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 11:22pmOne thing. Has anyone figured that if we allow amnesty for illegal’s, that the drug lords, and all criminals, would have dual citizenship, given them the ability to walk across both borders freely do go about their criminal activities in both countries.
Report Post »stonebridge
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 8:14pmThen Mr. Murdoch and Bloomberg have just given the finger to every potential immigrant who is trying to do it the right way. One question I’ve never heard answered is : If they ever pass comprehensive immigration reform (amnesty), what is going to keep another extra 12-25 million illegal immigrants, from wherever, from trotting across the southern border after that reform passes? What? The illegal movement just stops? Right.
Report Post »mrmikejohnson
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 8:12pmThere are some rich people (like Murdoch) who support amnesty because illegal immigrants don’t negatively affect their lives. Try living in middle class America. Try working in construction. Try to being a black 22 year without a high school diploma. The media loves to ignore the damage caused to America by illegals, but you can’t convice Americans otherwise because we see it. It’s just like unemployment…spin the unemployment numbers however you want. You‘re not going to convince America that there’s not a problem with unemployment because we’re unemployed.
Report Post »BoilitDown
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 8:11pmSecure the borders first, then immigrant status for illegals who have proved that they are law abiding, productive people. Perhaps extending the time it takes to become a citizen or other penalties should also apply since there was an offense of crossing illegally.
Report Post »bhelmet
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 7:45pmOMG, Fox is so xenophobic!!!!!
Report Post »Yakimaniacal
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 7:36pmMurdoch: Just another incarnation of “they.” Hope your head’s on a swivel Glenn, Murdoch’s part of the bigger plan. I‘m surprised you’ve been able to so boldly speak the truth even this long under the thumb of Murdoch and his global ambitions.
Report Post »psst
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 11:39pmFarah of WND have Murdoch down to a T
Report Post »Fox hav a few true cons..But just a few.. FOX employees as a whole, gives more campaign $$ to Dems than repubs. BillO may be considered a con by many.. IMO, he’s a closet blowhard Obamaite.
Murdoch is in bed w/ the Saudis.. The Saudis are really a threat to the US.On the surface, they are all smiles W/ US.. But there are daggers being held behind their backs
The Saudis’ goal is the Moslemiization of America..But they will have to fight the illegals for the soul of America.. Coming to a town near you in 30 years.
I vote for the illegals.. They are 95% RC.. The Saudis follow the Wahabi teachings..
ConservativeFeminist
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 7:29pmNo. No “path to citizenship” for illegals. They came here intentionally breaking our laws and deserve no such consideration.
Can any of you imagine sneaking into Canada, falsifying documents to get hired, not paying taxes, expecting your kids to be given seats in overcrowded public schools, then taking to the streets in a mob demanding free healthcare and citizenship?
What type of people would feel they have a right to such benefits in a foreign land?
What type of person would publicly and brazenly make these types of demands?
I know, someone who does NOT deserve American citizenship.
Report Post »Sunnyr
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 7:26pmNo way, Mr. Murdoch! No more Amnesties for any illegals until our borders are secure! We the People are suffering from illegal immigration through crumbling and dysfunctional schools, apathetic teachers, bankrupted hospitals and emergency rooms. Nope!! Not in a million years!
Report Post »5000YRLEAPER
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 11:17pmVery well said!
There is always a talk of the cost to deport illegals, yet, never a word about the cost (the burden to the US tax payer) to make them citizens.
Report Post »bob fink
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 7:17pmIt seems that Murdoch and Bloomberg are both the most uniformed people on this planet. Both have enough wealth to buy the American debt, must need the votes, and Murdoch the forgiveness from the illegals. For Murdoch to put himself and his media corporations in a place full of liberals, shows me that the man is not of sound mind.
Report Post »5000YRLEAPER
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 11:07pmI’m 100% for LEGAL imigration, I am 100% against ILLEGAL imigration! And that doesn’t make racist, that makes me a law abiding citizen.
Report Post »How is it nonsense to deport many of the illegal’s with the cost he throws out there? What would be the cost to make them citizens?!?! The cost alone just for the paper work with be astronomical, but then we have the issue of providing them rights as citizens, such as unemployment benefits, Medicare, Medicade, social security, and everything in between. They never tell you about those figures now do they! We will never hear about the cost to make them citizens, we only hear about the cost of getting rid of them.
If the illegal’s were gone, who will fill the jobs; AMERICAN’S. More money that stays in the states, and that would really stimulate the economy.
wingedwolf
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 7:02pmIllegal means illegal. I am deadly sick and tired of these people who break our laws coming in here illegally, living off the fat of the land, while good people are waiting in line for years to be vetted and allowed to come here legally. We’ll feed them while they are here in jail. When they are finished serving time for breaking our law about being here illegally, they need to be taken VERY FAR into mexico’s interior and let out, not just nudged across the border line to jump right back over tomorrow.
Report Post »rmsuperglide
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 7:37pmI feel your pain wingedwolf!!! I am also sick of everyone saying it would be imposible to arrest and deport all the law breaking ILLEGLE ALIENS !!!!!! I dont care if it takes ten years,law breakers should not be rewarded.They broke the law and any rights should be taken the same way americans rights are taken when found guilty of breaking the law!!!!!!!
Report Post »CoFX
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 9:27pmHere’s my plan when I get elected President. 1) Build the fence, and station National Guard Troops along our southern and northern borders. Cameras, Infrared, drones, whatever it takes. Use it as an opportunity to train our troops as well. 2) once the flow of illegals has been dramatically slowed, inform the population that illegals have a period of 8-10 weeks to go back to their home countries – on thier way through customs at a US port, they can recieve a voucher that allows them to begin the legal process of immigration to the USA immediately, but they must remain outside the US until they have been properly cleared for return. 3) Once the deadline passes for safe passage home, any illegals found in the United States will be deported, and will not be allowed to begin the process of immigration for 5 years. 4) anyone found employing an illegal after the deadline will be fined heavily and personally serve a heavy dose of community service.
I welcome legal immigrants with open arms – that is what made this country what it is today. However, you must take on all the same responsibilities of an American if you truely want to live in this great nation of ours.
Report Post »5000YRLEAPER
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 11:22pmConsider this. Has anyone figured that if we allow amnesty for illegal’s, that the drug lords, and all criminals, would have dual citizenship, given them the ability to walk across both borders freely do go about their criminal activities in both countries.
Report Post »cheezwhiz
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 7:00pmMurdoch and Bloomberg said they believe Congress needs to help employers discern between workers authorized to work in the U.S and those who are not.
==================
And then what ?
Report Post »Nice play on words rich guys.
Employers need a system to determine if APPLICANTS are authorized to work
( not WORKERS or EMPLOYEES)
kontrarian
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 8:12pmThe “parallel universe” seems to be amply populated.
Report Post »FreedomOfSpeech
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 6:51pmI can’t figure Bloomy out theses days. I want comprehensive reform too but sometimes you need to take a first step, like a fence. Success builds confidence to do more. The immigration problem is so huge that putting off any action until a “comprehensive” reform can be implemented is pretty silly. Do what you can now while you work towards comprehensive reform.
Report Post »5000YRLEAPER
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 11:21pmCheck this!
Report Post »Has anyone figured that if we allow amnesty for illegal’s, that the drug lords, and all criminals, would have dual citizenship, given them the ability to walk across both borders freely do go about their criminal activities in both countries.
jnword
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 6:51pmIt is as simple as when I travel to Italy,France, or, anyplace and I do not have my passport with me when they ask… do I get to stay? I should have it ,non?
Report Post »5000YRLEAPER
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 10:57pmIt’s simple stop the bleeding before you repair the broken arm.
They are calling the contractor and making new plans to build a new house while the current house is on fire.
They are turning a blind eye to the problem, no one will admit it, but is all at the border with Mexico. Build a fence, not a law.
Report Post »cheezwhiz
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 6:46pmLets get the terminology straight :
1. When lefties say “ immigrants” , they mean illegals, specially hispanic / latino illegals
2. “Immigration reform” has nothing whatsoever to do with “immigrants”.
3. “ Comprehensice immigration reform ” is a term used for one single objective : AMNESTY for illegals.
4. In the eyes of Ruport Murdoch, Rupert Murdoch may be an “ immigrant”
Report Post »but the “ immigration reform ” the parasites in congress are aiming for are not for the benefit of people like Murdoch. Immigrants like Murdoch don’t need “ immigration reform” because there are laws and processes already in place for immigrants
Sicboy
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 6:55pmMurdoch needs the cheap labor. How else will increase the size of his empire? See “Todays” Capitalism works just fine.
Report Post »Contrarianthinker
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 7:05pmMurdoch emphasizes that employers should be fined, etc for hiring illegals. That IMO is THE way to stop illegals from coming. No jobs discourages illegals.
Report Post »cheezwhiz
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 7:08pm@ Sicboy
Murdoch grows produce ? I didn’t know he was a farmer
Report Post »:P
Sicboy
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 7:23pm@cheezwhiz, you must have cheezwhiz for brains. Custodians, construction and all kinds of different occupations use illegals and new citizens with limited skills to bring down the price off labor. Your lack of knowledge is reflected by your name.
Report Post »Venom
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 8:04pm@Sicboy
Report Post »And your lack of respect reflects yours. :)
Sicboy
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 8:08pmYou earn respect, it doesn’t come from a Title, name or anything else. My lack of respect for cheese comes from his/her simple minded none sense.
Report Post »RamboTheDog
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 8:12pmCheez – you forgot the one big thing no one talks about…with the US declining birth rate the only way progressives can get enough people into the country to prop-up the seemlingly always growing yet–failing Entitlement programs is to give amnesty to illegals…poof…magic theres immediately enough people contributing to the system to keep it afloat for another generation or 2.
Report Post »cheezwhiz
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 9:17pm@ RamboTheDog
Report Post »Strange isn’t it that the people who lecture us into a panic with words like
“ overpopulation ”
and
“ unsustainability ” of the planet caused by human numbers ,
are the same people who follow Cloward-Piven’s doctrine with zeal ?
5000YRLEAPER
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 10:57pmBuild a fence, not a law! Build a fence, not a law! Build a fence, not a law! Build a fence, not a law! Build a fence, not a law! Build a fence, not a law! Build a fence, not a law! Build a fence, not a law! Build a fence, not a law! Build a fence, not a law! Build a fence, not a law! Build a fence, not a law! Build a fence, not a law! Build a fence, not a law! Build a fence, not a law! Build a fence, not a law! Build a fence, not a law! Build a fence, not a law! Build a fence, not a law! Build a fence, not a law! Build a fence, not a law! Build a fence, not a law! Build a fence, not a law! Build a fence, not a law! Build a fence, not a law! Build a fence, not a law! Build a fence, not a law! Build a fence, not a law! Build a fence, not a law! Build a fence, not a law! Build a fence, not a law! Build a fence, not a law! Build a fence, not a law! Build a fence, not a law! Build a fence, not a law! Build a fence, not a law!
Report Post »5000YRLEAPER
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 11:20pmHas anyone figured that if we allow amnesty for illegal’s, that the drug lords, and all criminals, would have dual citizenship, given them the ability to walk across both borders freely do go about their criminal activities in both countries.
Report Post »Steve2Grad
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 11:48pmThe left always controls the terms of the debate and the terms in the debate. Illegal aliens are portrayed as the romanticized images we now have as we remember groups from Ireland and Germany in the 19th century, for example. Rather than refer to them as illegal aliens…it is, as often as possible, immigrants, undocumented, etc., etc. etc. Glorious Gloria in California, is now exploiting this issue as it is every day…“they” want to go after the Wing Nut Jerry Brown whose legacy is in part the mess that California is in today. Every network, including Fox, is talking about the effect on the Whitman campaign. NOBODY has stopped and considered this worker was here illegally, and based on published documentation, lied about it while getting paid $23/hour. Whether or not we are a nations of laws is what is at stake. For heaven’s sake…at least create a path to legal status called…documented…a legal resident alien status…not citizen. Oh well, I am sure the left…and really, really, superior intellects like Bill Maher will continue to control the debate and the agenda until our borders are open and citizenship are as universal as health care will be by the time the system is destroyed.
Report Post »JKN
Posted on October 1, 2010 at 7:02amOnce again, our wealthy global elites have decided what is best for us… Rupert Murdoch and Michael Bloomberg are just the most recent classic examples of what the American people are up against…
The overwhelming majority of the American people have clearly expressed over and over again their absolute opposition to amnesty of any sort. The vast majority of the American people can differentiate between right and wrong.
No, Mr. Murdoch. It would not cost billions of dollars to deport illegal aliens. We simply need to mandate E-Verify nationwide. This simple and virtually cost-free act alone would deter millions of illegal aliens… No jobs; no illegal aliens.
It’s absolutely amazing how these globalists/internationalists completely and intentionally skirt the obvious… I have a few suggestions… Build the fence, enforce our immigration laws, ban all “Sanctuary Cities,” mandate E-Verify nationwide and stop granting tax-paid benefits to illegal aliens, including schooling and health care.
We can no longer afford to ignore the 10,000-pound elephant in the room. Common sense and the rule of law must prevail… The American people deserve no less.
Report Post »usconcerned
Posted on October 1, 2010 at 3:10pmMurdoch wants amnesty for Obama!!!
Report Post »usconcerned
Posted on October 1, 2010 at 3:12pmIt looks like Murdoch wants amnesty for OBAMA!
Report Post »Sicboy
Posted on October 1, 2010 at 10:57pmJKN, your right on. You expressed my thoughts exactly. We have knuckleheads on the right who can’t see the “Forest”.
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