Border Security Concerns Surface in Intel Reform Debate

gopusa/ talon news ^ | Nov. 23, 2004 | Bobby Eberle

[prairiebreeze]

WASHINGTON (Talon News) -- Despite efforts from the Bush administration to push through intelligence reform by the end of the year, legislation in the House of Representatives stalled over the weekend, in part because of concerns that the bill did not do enough to address border security and illegal immigration.

In comments on Fox News on Monday, Rep. James Sensenbrenner (R-WI), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, said that one of the key elements missing from the intelligence reform legislation was that of immigration reform. In particular, Sensenbrenner said that it is far too easy for those who are in America illegally to get driver's licenses.

Sensenbrenner told Fox News that the nineteen hijackers involved in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks had been issued a total of sixty-three valid driver's licenses.

According to reports by Knight Ridder, Sensenbrenner wants to reinsert immigration provisions dropped in earlier negotiations, "such as expedited deportation and unlimited detention of immigrants suspected, but not convicted, of terrorism." Knight Ridder adds that those provisions had been opposed by the White House.

Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-CO) believes that House members sent a strong message to their Senate colleagues by choosing not to approve the intelligence reform bill because it lacked the crucial immigration reform measures recommended by the 9/11 Commission.

"We sent a message to the Senate ... that this Republican Congress is not willing to pass a bill that is just an empty shell," said Tancredo, Chairman of the House Immigration Reform Caucus. "The Republican Conference in the House made a collective decision not to approve a hollowed out 9/11 bill just to get a ... good sound bite."

"The American people want security, and they know it can never be achieved until we can secure our borders," Tancredo added in a statement. "Rushing through a 9/11 bill that doesn't address border security would have been a disservice to the families of 9/11 victims and to the American people."

Sensenbrenner told the Associated Press on Monday that passage of intelligence reform legislation will "be tougher now because the well got even more poisoned by the senators and their supporters thoroughly criticizing [Rep.] Duncan Hunter and myself by name on the talking head shows."

In an interview with NBC's Tom Brokaw, Sensenbrenner said, "The details of this bill were so incomplete and so onerous that what we would be doing is passing something that looked good on a bumper sticker. The devil is in the details."

[janetgreen]

Despite efforts from the Bush administration

President Bush pushed for NO immigration enforcement in this bill. That says a lot. It's not only the Dims in the Senate, it's him too.

[AuntB]

Bump

Rome wasn't destroyed by barbarians storming the gates. It was destroyed by barbarians who walked through the gates peacefully to enjoy the benefits of Rome

[Pastnowfuturealpha]

From post: "farse they put on for a trial for impeachment -"

The Senate is a farse - The trouble is people don't elect the leaders - the body does - and they go by years, it seems - which is not always good (the longer one of them is there, the more corrupt they become) - And they make agreements behind doors - out of view of the public -

The House isn't much better - but at least not all are rolling over and playing dead - Yet -

We keep writing - they ignore - and make up their own minds or do what the "power" and "money" in Washington D.C. want them to do -

It's going to take time to get the corrupt people removed - in all level of government - but what would help - would be more good ones getting backbones - and standing up for America -

just my thoughts -

[bayourod]

"Sensenbrenner said that it is far too easy for those who are in America illegally to get driver's licenses. Sensenbrenner told Fox News that the nineteen hijackers involved in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks had been issued a total of sixty-three valid driver's licenses. "

And how many of the hijackers were illegal immigrants? Of those that were out of status, how many driver's licenses did they have? Of those that were out of status and had driver's licenses, how many of the licenses were issued prior to their Visas expiring?

Sensenbrenner is either simple minded or is intentionally deceiving the American people. He has the staff and access to info to be able to say how many driver's licenses were issued to hijackers who were illegal at the time the licenses were issued.

[AuntB]

"We keep writing - they ignore - and make up their own minds "

Don't give up, P. One thing all the politico's have in common, they want to be re-elected. We shook up the Oregon Senator and Congressman so bad over a land rights issue a few years ago that they begged their way on Air Force One to get "alone" with Pres. Bush. You have to remember # 8 , of AuntB's rules!



THESE ARE THE RULES

1. Protect the innocent. 2. Never ask someone to do something that you are not willing to do yourself. 3. Leave it like you found it, or make it better. 4. Keep your promises and pay your bills - on time. 5. Silence IS consent. 6. Slavery didn’t happen because people are black or white. Evil isn’t particular about color. 7. Be careful what you wish for. 8. NEVER LET ANYONE TELL YOU THAT YOU CAN’T MAKE A DIFFERENCE. 9. Greed is more devastating than poverty. 10. Your rights stop where my nose starts. 11. You are only as strong as what you stand next to, that from which you draw your strength. 12. Youth and strength are no match for old age and treachery. 13. Never try to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and annoys the pig!! (this is the one I can't seem to get right!)

[Pastnowfuturealpha]

Funny yet interesting rules -

From an article: "The Social Security commissioners of both Mexico and the Bush Administration signed a totalization agreement in June of 2004, but the text of the agreement has been kept secret. Maybe we will be permitted to see it after the President approves it and sends it to Congress. "

This is scary - two nations sign an agreement - yet it is kept secret from the American citizen - how many in Congress will just roll over on this - be interesting to see -

From article: "The Bush totalization plan would lure even more Mexicans into the United States illegally in the hope of amnesty and eligibility for Social Security benefits. The Bush plan would even cover the Mexicans' spouses and dependents who may never have lived in the United States. "

This part is even worse - up to five, as reported in another article - Not good for the Americans -

Why does this President see so clearly on some issues - yet then turns around and does "great" harm to the nation with another issue - namely the illegals - It's a disappointment to say the least - and a dander raiser - close to a screamer - where animals take cover -

Why can't he love and protect the American people as much as he does the illegals who come to this nation - Instead we get lip service - The worse part - he really seems to believe this is good for America.

Someone should explain the difference between the immigrants who came to help this nation in the beginning - and the immigrants we get today - they are completely different - for the most part -

There is more than one way to destroy a nation - and he doesn't seem to understand that -

[dagnabbit]

Why does this President see so clearly on some issues - yet then turns around and does "great" harm to the nation with another issue - namely the illegals

Maybe because he really was just the lesser of two evils this November, and he frankly, just isn't that capable. Perhaps the reason he appears so out of his league when speaking extemporaneously is that he is.

[AuntB]

I'm not sure what the author meant that it was secret. I suppose there is more than we know. I have a pdf of some of the totalization agreement. I'll go look!

[AuntB]

Dan, I'm sorry, I can't keep track of the link....do you have that link for the pdf on the Totalization agreement, please.

[1_Inch_Group]

"We sent a message to the Senate ... that this Republican Congress is not willing to pass a bill that is just an empty shell," said Tancredo, Chairman of the House Immigration Reform Caucus. "The Republican Conference in the House made a collective decision not to approve a hollowed out 9/11 bill just to get a ... good sound bite."

It was worse than an empty shell. It included all of the spending, but the critical items got stripped.

And there's Tancredo. Savin' our butts again. Heard Ed Royce and Dana Rohrbacher on KFI the last couple of days.

They both had the same comment. Letters and faxes. Phone calls and E-mails. This is our riot. I've got a job, I can't go burning down the neighborhood every time Amnesty gets mentioned.

They both mentioned the supportive phone calls as being very helpful. Let them know that they have your support. Gotta do it again, folks. And again. However many times it takes. Praise 'em if they helped. Fry them if they hindered.

http://www.house.gov/writerep/

[1_Inch_Group]

Sensenbrenner, in fact, points out that the -- the 19 hijackers were able to validly obtain 63 driver's licenses across the country. He says that's a problem he wants to fix. Sensenbrenner says he will stand on principle, even if it brings down the entire bill

Ahhh. Just had to read that part again. On principle.

Huh.

[1_Inch_Group]

Sorry to be so repetitive....but it is me, after all.

We keep writing - they ignore -

Read a couple of posts up. They were keeping quiet about it until Bush got reelected. Now they're starting to make noise.

The volume of that noise is going to depend directly on the feedback they get in their offices. Have you written yet? If so, have you written again? Even a quick note to say thank you. That's what it's going to take.

Still can't get over that "standing on principle" thing...Reagan would be proud.

[Pastnowfuturealpha]

In a way - I'm wondering if that gave the other side more of a voice(like McCain)- since it wasn't covered more for the election -

A ploy by that side perhaps - It's like evil is the guide of many in our government today - Money and power drive them - not the voice of the people -

It is going to rain and snow (great, sigh) in this area tomorrow - so will get some paper work done - and caught up on mailings - I'll keep sending as long as the issue is still open to discussion - :)

[AuntB]

" On principle."

Yes, there is far too little of that these days.

*******
Rome wasn't destroyed by barbarians storming the gates. It was destroyed by barbarians who walked through the gates peacefully to enjoy the benefits of Rome.
Ronald Khol

[Brownie74]

A Sensenbrenner, Hunter and Tancredo bump.

[Ol' Dan Tucker]

Dan, I'm sorry, I can't keep track of the link....do you have that link for the pdf on the Totalization agreement, please.

Once more for the Gipper...

Judiciary Committee Letter to Barnhart
Committee on Ways and Means: Fact Sheet Mexican Totalization Agreement
Proposed Totalization Agreement with Mexico Presents Unique Challenges

[AuntB]

See post #36.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

[Pastnowfuturealpha]

Thanks -

From report: "[6] For example, the Pew Hispanic Center estimated that there are between 3.4 and 5.7 million unauthorized Mexican citizens in the United States, and the Urban Institute has estimated that there are more than
4 million.

[7] In March 2003, INS functions were transferred to the Department of Homeland Security. Responsibility for deriving these estimates now lies with the Under Secretary Management, Office of Immigration Statistics "


Any names to go with the Under Secretary Management - ?

just wondering - and also -

From report: Table 1: Existing Totalization Agreements between the United States and Other Countries and Year of Effective Date of the Original Agreements: Countries: Italy; Year: 1978. Countries: Germany; Year: 1979. Countries: Switzerland; Year: 1980. Countries: Belgium; Year: 1984. Countries: Norway; Year: 1984. Countries: Canada; Year: 1984. Countries: United Kingdom; Year: 1985. Countries: Sweden; Year: 1987. Countries: Spain; Year: 1988. Countries: France; Year: 1988. Countries: Portugal; Year: 1989. Countries: Netherlands; Year: 1990. Countries: Austria; Year: 1991. Countries: Finland; Year: 1992. Countries: Ireland; Year: 1993. Countries: Luxembourg; Year: 1993. Countries: Greece; Year: 1994. Countries: South Korea; Year: 2001. Countries: Chile; Year: 2001. Countries: Australia; Year: 2002. "


I'm thinking we should really re-think some of these countries - like France - for example -

This was dated around Sept. 11, 2003 - And poor data - ?

We need to re-do how our Reps. operate - I say set up a committee of citizens who watch over every bill or report put out by Congress - That way we would at least have a heads up on a lot that impacts this nation -

So many of these reports just get filed and nothing is said about them -

What a way to run the government -

[AuntB]

NEW POLL UP:

http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/lou.dobbs.tonight/

Do you believe the intelligence reform bill must contain a provision that prevents illegal aliens from obtaining driver's licenses?

Yes 88% 1247 votes

No 12% 177 votes

Total: 1424 votes

[Pastnowfuturealpha]

And a great Thanksgiving to you!


Also - thanks for the sites - interesting information.




Cheers and take care!