On the closing day of the 32^nd annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Newt Gingrich voiced his opinion on the immigration system and the need for strict enforcement policies. Gingrich said he wants the United States to completely seal off its border along Mexico and Canada, deport illegal aliens within 72 hours of their arrest and exclude U.S. courts from reviewing such deportations. Gingrich was known for his moderate record on immigration while serving as the speaker of the House of Representatives.

Gingrich said thinking that undocumented immigrants have the same rights as U.S. citizens is misreading the 14^th amendment. He said legal immigrants should have to learn American history to pass a citizenship test and must pass such a test in English.

The three-day meeting featured other big-name attractions, including Deputy White House Chief of Staff Karl Rove and author Ann Coulter. Most speakers, including conservative talk show host Pat Buchanan and activist Phyllis Schlafly spoke in opposition to President Bush’s guest worker proposal.

The speakers at CPAC emphasized the themes of limited government and individual freedom. Gingrich said the country needs an open green-card policy to eliminate pressure from Mexico and elsewhere and from U.S. firms seeking workers.

Some conservatives in attendance, however, noted that Gingrich did not explain how the open green-card program would work, or what more the administration should do to seal thousands of miles of border to the south and north. Additionally, Gingrich neglected to say whether he backed some form of President Bush’s guest worker program to allow undocumented immigrants holding jobs in the United States to remain or whether such aliens eventually could apply for citizenship.