36 U.S. Representatives call DHS Sec. Ridge on the carpet for his pro-amnesty comments

EMAIL TO GRANDMOM

[GrandMoM]

-----36 U.S. Representatives call DHS Sec. Ridge on the carpet for his pro-amnesty comments ======================================================

Congratulations to all of you on your faxes and phone calls to Members of Congress to sign the letter of protest against Department of Homeland Security Sec. Ridge for his pro-amnesty statements last week.{ATTACHED BELOW}

The first version of the letter went out today with 36 signatures! That is really impressive -- especially with nearly all Members of Congress out of town. Hats off to the staff of Rep. Kind (R-IA) for pulling this together in a short time.

As more Members contact King's office to sign onto the letter, they will be coordinated for an additional letter to go to Ridge.

King's staff asked us to express great appreication to all of you for your efforts so far.

Here are the heroes of the moment who signed the letter for today (doesn't make a few of you proud of your states; doesn't it make the rest of you wonder what is wrong with yours?):

Arizona
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Rep. Hayworth, J D
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Arkansas
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Rep. Boozman, John

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California
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Rep. Gallegly, Elton
Rep. Herger, Wally
Rep. Miller, Gary
Rep. Rohrabacher, Dana

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Colorado
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Rep. Tancredo, Tom

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Florida
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Rep. Miller, Jeff
Rep. Stearns, Cliff

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Georgia
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Rep. Collins, Mac
Rep. Deal, Nathan
Rep. Gingrey, Phil

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Idaho
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Rep. Otter, Butch

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Illinois
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Rep. Manzullo, Donald

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Iowa
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Rep. King, Steve

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Maryland
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Rep. Bartlett, Roscoe

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Minnesota
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Rep. Gutknecht, Gil
Rep. Kline, John

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Mississippi
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Rep. Pickering, Charles

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Missouri
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Rep. Graves, Sam

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New Jersey
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Rep. Garrett, Scott

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North Carolina
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Rep. Jones, Walter

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Oklahoma
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Rep. Sullivan, John

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South Carolina
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Rep. Barrett, J. Gresham
Rep. Wilson, Joe

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Tennessee
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Rep. Blackburn, Marsha
Rep. Duncan, John

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Texas
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Rep. Brady, Kevin
Rep. Burgess, Michael
Rep. Carter, John
Rep. Culberson, John
Rep. Smith, Lamar

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Virginia
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Rep. Davis, Jo Ann
Rep. Forbes, Randy
Rep. Goode, Virgil
Rep. Goodlatte, Robert

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Copy of letter Members of the U.S. House are signing to send to the White House
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Dear Secretary Ridge,

We are gravely concerned about your remarks on December 9, 2003, regarding legalization of illegal aliens and amnesty. We respectfully ask that you clarify and restate your position on these vital issues.

As Members of Congress, we strongly and unequivocally oppose mass amnesty for people who violate our immigration laws.

Mere discussion of the possibility of amnesty encourages illegal immigration. We must enforce the immigration laws currently on our books rather than dangle the prospect of citizenship in front of potential immigration lawbreakers. We must increase immigration law enforcement, not only at borders but in the interior, making it more costly for lawbreakers to disregard our immigration laws. The result would be similar to "broken windows" policing in New York City which not only reduced "minor" crimes, but also curbed serious crimes. The same is true for immigration law.

We must enforce existing immigration laws. The law enforcement approach would reduce the migration of illegal aliens, reduce the ill-gotten net gain from illegal immigration, raise American wages, improve American working conditions, reduce the overall illegal population, and reduce the number of crimes committed by illegal aliens. Once our immigration laws are consistently enforced, many illegal aliens will leave voluntarily, rather than face deportation. A similar phenomenon was witnessed as a result of the NSEERS alien registration program. When the government began to detain and deport people who were illegally in the United States, thousands more illegal aliens fled the country.

Since 1986, Congress has passed seven amnesties for illegal aliens. Clearly this is a short-term "fix" to a long-term problem. Rewarding people who violate our immigration laws sends the wrong message, and encourages more illegal aliens to violate our borders and enter the United States illegally. This influx places a strain on essential homeland security resources. If an illegal alien is permitted to become a legal worker and obtain a green card by working in the United States for a certain period of time, this is sufficient enticement for millions upon millions more illegal aliens to flood this country. We have learned the lesson of the IRCA in 1986. At the time it was hoped that an amnesty would make it easier to enforce immigration laws by legalizing the illegal alien population. However, the legalization of 3 million aliens backfired and the illegal alien population was quickly doubled in a decade-- and is estimated to have tripled it in less than a decade and a half.

We are also concerned that a mass legalization would severely overburden the immigration bureaucracy. It would strap the processing resources, lead to lengthy backlogs, and drain taxpayer resources.

We are especially disturbed by the burden that would be imposed on taxpayers as a result of legalization. Americans will have to pay increased taxes as a consequence of the burden amnesty would place on our school systems, welfare and social service systems, roads and transportation systems, the sprawl and environmental degradation, the health care system, Medicaid, Social Security, and other programs.

It is unfair to reward people who break our immigrations laws with immigration status, while many potential immigrants outside the United States are waiting to be admitted to the United States lawfully. If we allow the people who break the rules by entering the United States illegally to go to the front of the immigration line, it is a slap in the face to law-abiding immigrants.

Finally, we are concerned that amnesty by any name, be it earned amnesty or legalization, jeopardizes our national security. Mahmud Abouhalima was granted amnesty in 1986 and was subsequently one of the terrorists that bombed the Trade Center in 1993.

We commend you for your commitment to protecting our homeland and hope you will carefully consider the impact of immigration policies on the war on terror.

Sincerely,

[GrandMoM]

Since 1986, Congress has passed seven amnesties for illegal aliens. Clearly this is a short-term "fix" to a long-term problem.

[Chani]

Thanx for posting this. I am sooo relieved to see my Representative is on the list. Whew. I'll have to fire off an email to him to let him know I support him on this issue.

[GrandMoM]

)))))))PING((((((((((((

[ETERNAL WARMING]

Source, Gm? I realize it's email, but from what group?

Well done!

[gubamyster]

ping

[JustPiper]

So only 400 more to go hey?

[JustPiper]

A big bump to Rep. Kind (R-IA), we need to thank him and use this as an example to the other 400 Reps

[garandgal]

Just FYI...it's Rep. King. There was a typo in the first sentence. As I'm from Iowa, it had me scratching my head!

Rep. King is a great conservative, but would not be considered, by most, to be on the "fringe" (as some others have been labeled). For this to have come from him, is really a great development. Several communities in his district have been literally overtaken by illegals working in the packing houses...so I imagine he's been hearing this loud and clear.

For those of you who are not familiar with him...become familiar. He is a TRUE conservative, and a great patriot (and is probably very familiar with us)!

[txdoda]

SEVEN amnesties since the 1986 'blanket amnesty'!!! Yet we still have 10/15 MILLIONS illegals here.

This is just more PROOF that MOST of these illegals care little about becoming *legal* in the USA. (unless we just GIVE them legality).

The 245(i) amnesty bill, started in 1994 was SUPPOSED to be temporary, but it looks like it's had SEVEN 'new deadlines' added to it thru 2001.

Bush attempted to add ANOTHER 'new deadline' in early 2002, just six months after 9-11.


Cheers to these Reps & I hope many more join them.

We need to VOTE Michelle Maulkin in to head our INS.

[Fledermaus]

YES...two Tenn Reps on the list...including mine, Ms. Blackburn!

[calawah98]

Source

This email came from Roy Beck, Numbersusa.

[GrandMoM]

This email came from Roy Beck, Numbersusa.....THANKS! I forgot to include that!

[Reaganwuzthebest]

I am sooo relieved to see my Representative is on the list.

As usual none from NY State on the list. All the RINOS here can't get enough illegal aliens, despite the fact they're blowing up our buildings and committing all sorts of other heinous crimes.

[Klickitat]

This is a good reference list for where to start with political donations.

[GrandMoM]

This is a good reference list for where to start with political donations ....also for making phone calls to Reps. who have not signed!

[stopem]

::Clapping:: Good job!
Whatever became of all this will the blanket amnesty be passed?
I hope NOT!

[Dante3]

There is no benefit, only serious harm, for this country if illegals are once again given amnesty. Ridge should be removed -- he has at best a conflict of interest.

[wjcsux]

Thanks for the post. Time to ping on Heather Wilson (NM 1st Congressional District) and Steve Pierce (NM 2nd Congresssional District). Tom Udall is a waste of paper.

[Dante3]

We all should contact our Rep. This issue is too important to stay silent.

[GrandMoM]

Have you checked out this thread???????