Posted on 06/26/2006 3:34:14 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
MILWAUKEE (AP) -- The nation's oldest Hispanic rights group scheduled numerous speakers - both Democrat and Republican - for its annual convention, but one sought-after name is missing from the agenda.
The League of United Latin American Citizens says it wants to hear from U.S. Rep. James Sensenbrennner on why he proposed a bill that would make it a felony to be in the U.S. illegally and, among other things, build a 700-mile fence along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Sensenbrenner, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, has not accepted any of its invitations, says the group, which this week is holding its annual convention in Milwaukee, the Republican's backyard.
More than 10,000 people are expected at the convention, which begins Monday evening and wraps up Saturday. The week's programs include sessions on immigration, Hispanics and business, and health care.
Speakers include House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., Ken Mehlman, chairman of the Republican National Committee, and Howard Dean, chairman of the Democratic National Committee.
Sensenbrenner told representatives of the group that he has votes scheduled in Washington through Friday and constituent business on Saturday, said Jeff Lungren, a spokesman for Sensenbrenner and the House Judiciary Committee.
"Therefore, when deciding between serving the constituents that elected him or giving a speech to a special-interest group, U.S. Rep. Sensenbrenner will choose his constituents every time," Lungren said.
LULAC has been using the proximity of its convention to the home district of Sensenbrenner, nearby Menomonee Falls, to call attention to his proposals. On Sunday night, about five members of the group, including the executive director, attended a town hall meeting held by Sensenbrenner in the Milwaukee suburb of Thiensville, said Gabriela Lemus, director of policy and legislation for LULAC.
She said Sensenbrenner, like several other lawmakers associated with the measure, changed topics when asked by LULAC members about his immigration proposals.
Lemus said the selection of Milwaukee for the convention had nothing to do with Sensenbrenner. The group last held a national convention in Milwaukee decades ago, she said.
LULAC National President Hector Flores said Sensenbrenner needs to allow more voices into the debate to help solve the nation's immigration system.
"If U.S. Rep. Sensenbrenner were serious about addressing the issue of comprehensive immigration reform, he would draft policy that attempts to address the root of the problem, which is a broken immigration system that is so outdated and unworkable, it encourages illegal immigration," Flores said in a news release.
Both the House and Senate have passed immigration bills. The House version, with Sensenbrenner as a main sponsor, focused on enforcement. A measure passed by the Senate would provide the opportunity for some illegal immigrants to gain legal status. House Republican leaders this week are holding hearings on immigration. They hope by the end of the year to send a border security bill to President Bush.
Lemus said, if anything, LULAC should thank Sensenbrenner for helping mobilize the movement and bring unity to the various Hispanic groups.
Groups like LULAC and National Council of La Raza - which holds its convention in a few weeks in Los Angeles - can advance the movement by building on the momentum from earlier marches, which saw more than a million people participate throughout the country, said Marcelo Suarez-Orozco, director of immigration studies at New York University.
"Immigration for our country today is too serious an issue to leave it to politicians," Suarez-Orozco said. "We really need, as citizens of our country, to engage our voice in this topic."
"Go, Jim! Go!" Ping. :)
ping
Yo, Dane, you're needed in Wisconsin.
LULUAC
"Both the House and Senate have passed immigration bills. The House version, with Sensenbrenner as a main sponsor, focused on enforcement. A measure passed by the Senate would provide the opportunity for some illegal immigrants to gain legal status."
Complete mischaracterization of the Senate bill. Rove/Dem spin gaining hold I've seen this characterization grow.
"The League of United Latin American Citizens says it wants to hear from U.S. Rep. James Sensenbrennner on why he proposed a bill that would make it a felony to be in the U.S. illegally and, among other things, build a 700-mile fence along the U.S.-Mexico border."
So do I. I'd like to hear him explain why the wall shouldn't be 2000 miles long and 40 feet high.
Jim is really something else. A TRUE Statesman, the likes of which we rarely see these days. I'm generally against cloning, but in Jim's case, I'll make the exception, LOL!
Same goes for our Paul Ryan and John Gard. Good men. :)
The OBL seems to have adopted a "screw the constituents" stance and replaced it with a fantasy that our reps are supposed to serve the party like they did in the soviet union.
"In fact if I were Ken Mellman I would find an excuse to not show up for this thing."
I was VERY surprised to see him as a guest speaker. The only thing I can think of is that he's hoping to get the LEGAL immigrants worked up and on our side to fight the illegals?
Other than that, I dunno. GOP Eyewash?
Were it not for the hispanic vote, Kerry would be President.
LULAC is out of touch with many Hispanic people it thinks it represents... the ACLU doesn't speak for MOST lawyers either. And the MSM is out to lunch.
How is that so considering Kerry got 60% while Bush got 40%? Wouldn't that mean Kerry received more votes nationwide?
Maybe you should explain your take on it to Mehlman? I'm sure he is anxious to hear from you.
Mehlman's pushing amnesty, there's nothing more to explain. Of course he's going to find ways to spin. Maybe nobody's confronted him on the fact Kerry got between 15 and 20% more of that vote. It's just a fact.
Would you have preferred Hispanics given Kerry 100% of their vote ? He most assuredly would've been President in that instance.
EXCERPT: Some Immigrants Are Offering Social Security Numbers for Rent
NY Times | 6/7/2005 | EDUARDO PORTER
Gerardo Luviano is looking for somebody to rent his Social Security number. Mr. Luviano, 39, obtained legal residence in the United States almost 20 years ago. But these days, back in Mexico....he is looking for an illegal immigrant in the United States to use it for him - providing a little cash along the way. "My brother in California has a friend who has crops and has people that need one."
Mr. Luviano's pending transaction is merely a blip in a shadowy yet vibrant underground market....undetected by American authorities, operating below the radar in immigrant communities from coast to coast, a secondary trade in identities has emerged straddling both sides of the Mexico-United States border.
Illegal immigrant workers usually earn so little they are owed an income tax refund...........The illegal immigrant "working the number" will usually pay the real owner by sharing the tax refund. Since legal American residents can lose their green cards if they stay outside the country too long, it is useful to have somebody working under their identity north of the border.
"Sometimes the one who is working doesn't mind giving all the refund, he just wants to work," said Fernando Rosales, who runs a shop preparing income taxes in the immigrant-rich enclave of Huntington Park, Calif.
The income tax "refund" is almost certainly generated by Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) fraud, which as a "legal resident" the number renter would qualify to receive, especially if they have have or claim children. The EITC is a "refundable tax credit, which means the IRS will pay it out even if no taxes have been withheld or paid in. So the IRS gives filers who claim the EITC "refunds," even if they have had no taxes withheld.
These number renters can claim up to $4,400 for the 2005 tax year in EITC "refunds," most of the number renters probably claim this maximum refund. The Additional Child Tax Credit is another "refundable" credit which is no doubt routinely claimed by these renters.
For 2005, if the number renter claimed $14,400 in wage income, and three children, between the EITC and the Additional Child Tax Credit the renter would, without having any taxes withheld from wages, receive a tax "refund" of $4,898, plus have $892 credited to Social Security; in addition to the potential of thousands of dollars in California unemployment compensation.
Yes we should always keep trying for more but I don't think pandering by way of amnesties is the answer.
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