For the first time on Wednesday, Democratic congressman Luis Gutierrez hinted that “over six million undocumented workers” will be granted amnesty through President Obama’s impending executive action — greatly expanding his usual estimate of around five million illegal immigrants.
Recent meetings with activists and leaks from the White House have left the Illinois congressman positively giddy about the broad amnesty soon-to-be granted by the president (RELATED: ‘We’re Getting Ready’: Gutierrez Expecting Executive Amnesty For Five Million Illegals).
And Gutierrez’ detailed preparations for the move convinced Cavuto that the lawmaker knows more about the plan than he’s letting on.
“Congressman, you have to know something we do not,” he asked on Wednesday. “What?”
Gutierrez demurred, claiming only that he’s been “listening very, very carefully. We’ve been in meetings with people at Homeland Security and the White House for months now.”
“How will he act?” Cavuto later asked.
“Here is what I believe is going to happen,” Gutierrez said. “He’s gonna say, ‘God, there’s over six million undocumented workers that have been here ten years or more. They’ve established roots in their community.”
“So you’re saying six million, then, will be granted status?” Cavuto pressed.
“No, I don’t know,” Gutierrez replied. “I’m simply saying that –”
“Oh, I think you know,” Cavuto said. “You’re pretty tight with the president, you’re tight with the White House. So I don’t think you just say this stuff out of town. You’ve heard from the White House that it’s looking at granting six million illegals amnesty?”
“Neil, Neil, please,” the lawmaker pushed back. “Do not tell your viewing audience that I’ve heard this from the White House. This is what I believe is going to happen. This is what I’m bettin’ is going to happen.”
“Do you think it will embolden millions more to follow them here illegally?” Cavuto later asked.
“No, I don’t think that’s gonna happen,” Gutierrez said. “Because I think the president’s going to set a date. Look, it’s going to be a date, I don’t know how many, he’s gonna say you have to be here five, seven, whatever years it is.”
“You know what, you know exactly what’s going to happen!” Cavuto charged. “You have even hinted at how he’s going to stagger this out!”
“No, I don’t,” Gutierrez dodged.
“Congressman, tell us when this event you don’t know is going to happen is going to happen,” Cavuto later asked sarcastically.
“Here’s my hope,” the lawmaker replied. “It’ll happen before the election, sometime in the next 45 days before the election. Because I think there should be no political consideration or consequences considered. We should do this because it’s the right thing to do.”