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Culberson aims amendment at illegal immigrants
Houston Chronicle ^ | July 16, 2004 | EDWARD HEGSTROM

Posted on 07/16/2004 2:53:12 PM PDT by Dog Gone

Bank accounts, Social Security would be affected

Congressman John Culberson, R-Houston, introduced an amendment Thursday designed to prevent millions of illegal immigrants from opening bank accounts and accessing Social Security payments.

Culberson's amendment to an appropriations bill was approved Thursday by the House Appropriations subcommittee. It now goes before the full committee.

The bill would make it more difficult for immigrants to use foreign documents, such as the matricula consular issued by the Mexican government, to open bank accounts. Hundreds of banks across the country currently accept the matricula as the primary document to open checking accounts, allowing illegal immigrants access to banks.

"I'm plugging a dangerous hole in our nation's security," Culberson said Thursday evening. Culberson said federal prosecutors have told him that "special interest aliens from Middle Eastern or Muslim countries" have crossed illegally into Texas using false Hispanic names. He predicted that a matricula consular might be used in the next terrorist attack.

Culberson also cited Social Security as a crucial component. The United States and Mexico recently signed an agreement that Culberson says could allow illegal immigrants access to Social Security payments. He said his amendment would prevent that.

"We cannot permit illegal aliens into the Social Security system," he said.

Representatives of the Mexican consulate in Houston would not comment Thursday. But immigrant-rights activists criticized the amendment.

"The banking industry welcomes the use of the matricula because they recognize that immigrants are contributing to the economy," said Ben Monterroso, a Los Angeles-based representative of the Service Employees International Union. "What (Culberson) wants to do is keep immigrants in the shadows."

The Treasury Department last year affirmed a previous policy allowing banks to accept the matricula as identification. Culberson's bill would prevent federal funding for policies that support the use of foreign documents like the matricula.

The congressman admitted that he was not sure if the bill would have any immediate impact on banks that already accept the matricula. But he said he hopes to pressure the treasury department to rescind its existing policy.


TOPICS: Government; News/Current Events; US: Texas
KEYWORDS: aliens; immigrantlist; immigration; texas

1 posted on 07/16/2004 2:53:12 PM PDT by Dog Gone
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To: Dog Gone

Time to freep Congress for this one!


2 posted on 07/16/2004 2:57:10 PM PDT by TMSuchman (God may grant mercy... I'll deliver justice! Shoot first,straight,& often SEMPER FI)
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To: Dog Gone

Its a small step in the right direction. Now we need to change federal law to eliminate various incentives for illegals to come and collect public benefits while here in this country.


3 posted on 07/16/2004 2:57:37 PM PDT by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives On In My Heart Forever)
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To: Dog Gone

oh, boy... I can hear the screams of "RACIST!" already...


4 posted on 07/16/2004 2:58:06 PM PDT by King Prout ("Thou has been found guilty and convicted of malum zambonifactum most foul... REPENT!)
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To: Dog Gone
Here's the full committee and here's Chairman C.W. Bill Young's page, and here's the page for Rep. John Culberson, R-Texas.
5 posted on 07/16/2004 3:07:15 PM PDT by lonewacko_dot_com (http://lonewacko.com/blog)
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To: Dog Gone

Also, note that the Matricula Consular is almost exclusively of benefit for illegal immigratants.

Someone should send an email to the Houston Chronicle's ombudsman suggesting that they make that clear. Their use of the word "immigrants" where they meant "illegal immigrants" is incorrect. And, they should have provided a footnote to the comments they quote; he used the wrong term twice.


6 posted on 07/16/2004 3:10:36 PM PDT by lonewacko_dot_com (http://lonewacko.com/blog)
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To: goldstategop
LEGAL immigrants are going to have no problem with this legislation. I once assisted a Japanese national in a former life in getting his documents in order to spend a year in the U.S. where the salary was paid by the home country. The visa issuance was a bit of a pain, but the social security number was very quick once the visa was in order. In other words, the State Department in Tokyo did their job whereas those in Saudi Arabia weren't bright enough to stop Mohammed Atta and even issued him a visa post 9-11.

The only possible cries of racism will come from the illegal alien and terrorist lobbies which, by most counts, are one and the same.

7 posted on 07/16/2004 3:24:32 PM PDT by Vigilanteman (crime would drop like a sprung trapdoor if we brought back good old-fashioned hangings)
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Comment #8 Removed by Moderator

To: Dog Gone

You mean they have access to SS now?

Sometimes I think I am going mad!


9 posted on 07/16/2004 3:34:13 PM PDT by Mears
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To: King Prout
oh, boy... I can hear the screams of "RACIST!" already...

Screw all that, my friend. If he's up for reelection this year, I'll be sure to send a donation.


$710.96... The price of freedom.

10 posted on 07/16/2004 3:41:38 PM PDT by rdb3 (When I reached the fork in the road, I drove straight.)
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To: lonewacko_dot_com

You can write the reporter directly mailto:edward.hegstrom@chron.com


11 posted on 07/16/2004 4:03:22 PM PDT by Dog Gone
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that's edward.hegstrom@chron.com


12 posted on 07/16/2004 4:04:46 PM PDT by Dog Gone
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To: gubamyster

- Bump -


13 posted on 07/16/2004 4:57:09 PM PDT by Ron H. (Close down our Southern border!)
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To: *immigrant_list; A Navy Vet; Lion Den Dan; Free the USA; Libertarianize the GOP; madfly; B4Ranch; ..
I just heard Culberson on John & Ken. He said he will have more details on the "special interest aliens" on Monday. But this should come as no surprise since WorldNetDaily reported quite awhile ago finding Muslim books along the Arizona border.
14 posted on 07/16/2004 6:11:36 PM PDT by gubamyster
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To: gubamyster

Thanks for the ping, pal. We're gonna win one, one of these days.


15 posted on 07/16/2004 6:18:53 PM PDT by skeeter
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To: Dog Gone
The bill would make it more difficult for immigrants illegal aliens to use foreign documents

There! All fixed

16 posted on 07/16/2004 6:45:43 PM PDT by Regulator (They Ain't Immigrants)
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To: Dog Gone

Do I understand this correctly, he bill says they wouldn't be allowed to open BANK ACCOUNTS? Well, admittedly, they shouldn't be here, but as long as they are here, and working, and getting paid, they ought to be able to have a bank account. This is their money that they worked for. They ought to be able to put it somewhere where they won't get robbed and mugged for it.

I have an idea, Congressman! These folks wouldn't be here if they couldn't get work here. Throw the book at the people who HIRE them. But that would probably some of the affluent folks who are the congressman's constituents and contributors, and he isn't gonna do that.


17 posted on 07/16/2004 7:04:38 PM PDT by EdJay
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To: Dog Gone

It's a much needed bill but I wonder how long it will be before many in our wonderful press will start writing about how the poor illegal immigrant is being denied their "right" to a better life. Can't have that now can we.


18 posted on 07/16/2004 8:04:25 PM PDT by Reaganwuzthebest
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To: EdJay; goldstategop; gubamyster; Vigilanteman; CArefusenik
They ought to be able to put it somewhere where they won't get robbed and mugged for it.

Too true; the bank of their choice in their homeland. This is part of shutting off disincentives and restoring order in a humane manner. Denying emergency medical treatment or children's education has been deemed over the top, but denying banking, driver's licenses, home loans (eligible in Wisconsin!), voting rights and everything else their advocates ask for, no, demand (as if they had the right) is fair game. The key to success (and most feared by politicians) is prosecution for employers of illegal aliens. Only then will mass exodus begin, long delayed technological innovation proceed and the economy regain balance.

Don't worry, those employers make massive political donations and are thus above the law.

19 posted on 07/16/2004 8:35:49 PM PDT by NewRomeTacitus
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To: Dog Gone

(#12 is new)

(COPY AND DISTRIBUTE WIDELY. Revise and extend as you see fit. Start a movement, print a petition, start a political party, confront your legislators, write letters, post posters, drop leaflets. Demand, demand, demand…)

19 POINT ACTION PLAN: Border Violators

1) Close all US borders to illegal entry forthwith by any and all means possible, including military presence.

2) Maintain legitimate immigration levels at modest annual level with requirements that immigrants be employable or sufficiently wealthy for self-support if they do not intend to work, proficient in basic English and willing to be assimilated into American culture and language. All applicants shall provide prints, photos and DNA samples.

3) Legal immigration shall be awarded to individuals on a lottery basis, wherein all countries are given equal status in the immigration lottery, without regards to color or economic plight of originating nation.

4) Individuals of Islamic faith (muslims) from any country shall be denied immigration privileges or entry into the US. Christians and Jews from muslim countries fleeing religious persecution shall receive preferential and accelerated immigration privileges.

5) Detain all border violators, taking photos, prints and DNA samples of said violator while at the same time, checking for out standing warrants. If no warrants are outstanding, return border violators to home country within 20 days via commercial airline and submit cost of such action, including processing and housing costs for said violator, to country of origin. If costs are not paid within 30 days, reduce any and all aid to said country by a like amount.

6) Should any country from which a border violator originates not currently receive any aid from the US, the Justice Department shall be authorized to seize or secure liens on assets owned, managed or registered to that country to the full extent of the obligation.

7) Establish new Guest Worker Visa (GWV) category, renewable every six (6) months, for unskilled labor positions wherein all applicants shall provide prints, photos and DNA samples. Work permitted of such applicants shall be limited to one of several categories, including childcare, lawn/gardening, restaurant staff, cleaning, and the like. Families of GWV workers are not permitted to enter US, nor will the birth of a child in the U.S. to one of GWV status confer citizenship to either parent or child.

8) Any violation of civil or criminal laws shall result in the forfeiture of the GWV and immediate return to originating country.

9) GWV holders shall be prohibited from claiming unemployment benefits, welfare support or free medical service.

10) The originating country of all GWV holders shall be responsible for any loss caused by their citizens, including emergency medical claims and claims resulting from illegal acts committed while in the US.

11) Companies that hire GWV holders shall submit to the Immigration Dept the name and GWV number of that individual, along with a description of employment tasks. Companies that fail to report employment of GWV workers, or hire border violators, shall be subject to fines and penalties.

12) GWV workers shall not receive unemployment compensation but shall be subject to an alternate tax equivalent to the current unemployment tax rate, which shall be withheld and be applied to border patrol activities. GWV workers shall be paid with check, having income tax withheld.

13) Border violators, or any non-citizen not possessing a valid visa, detained by local police for any reason shall be turned over to border control officials for immediate deportation action, except if they face criminal charges in other jurisdictions.

14) Border violators and GWV workers shall be prohibited from voting in local, state and federal elections.

15) Border Violators shall NOT be afforded the rights enjoyed by American citizens, as guaranteed under the constitution.

16) Public education (at institutions supported by taxpayer dollars) at any level (pre-school, kindergarten through the university level,) shall NOT be available to Border Violators (or children of Border Violators) and schools that enroll such individuals shall be subject to penalties.

17) Foreign Students (F/S) (individuals admitted to the U.S. for the purpose of attending any educational facility,) private institution or public (i.e. supported by taxpayer dollars,) must have valid student visas, such visas being in force only if the F/S attends school full-time. F/S shall be required to pay tuition, housing and related costs such that all their educational costs are fully reimbursed to the institution attended. The originating country shall pay for any and all loss caused by students while on U.S. soil.

18) Border Violators seeking emergency medical treatment shall provide pictures, fingerprints and DNA samples along with country of origin, and shall be treated then incarcerated until information provided can be verified. Originating country shall bear the costs of medical treatment and confinement.

19) Children born in the U.S. to border violators, illegal aliens or of foreign nationals in the U.S. for any reason (including temporary visitor, school or work visas,) shall not be eligible for citizenship as circumstances of birth, nor shall the parents or parent’s family members (relatives) be conferred U.S. citizenship as a result of such births.

20) (developing)


20 posted on 07/16/2004 8:37:22 PM PDT by Imagine
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