The Wall Street Journal recently published an article titled the “Conservative Statement of Principles on Immigration” in support of President Bush’s immigration reform proposal.

The article begins with the declaration that America is a “nation of immigrants.”  It emphasizes the US need to have an open door immigration policy in able to help US prosperity, culture, military strength, role in the world affairs and historic tradition as the land of freedom and opportunity.

“Conservatives believe in legal immigration.  We believe that America grows stronger by welcoming those who seek to better their families, work in our industries, and find liberty and refuge from oppression.”

The authors continue by saying that they oppose illegal immigration and current immigration law needs to be changed in order to “reflect reality and common sense, be fiscally responsible, and avoid the loss of innocent life.”

President Bush’s proposal is viewed as a solution to the illegal immigration problem, and the plan is praised.

“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 fifteen politicians, businessmen and intellectuals who signed the letter are Stuart Anderson, Jeff Bell, Linda Chavez, Larry Cirignano, Cesar V. Conda, Francis Fukuyama, Richard Gilder, Newt Gingrich, Ed Goeas, Tamar Jacoby, Jack Kemp, Steve Moore, Grover Norquist, Richard W. Rahn and Malcolm Wallop.