Contact Tom Tancredo (R-Co), Chirman of the House Immigration Reform Caucus

Contact Congressman Tancredo ^ | 1.7.04 | Remember_Salamis

[Remember_Salamis]

Contact Tom Tancredo (R-Co), Chirman of the House Immigration Reform Caucus (HIRC). He's one of the few elected republicans with his head on straight. Here's their platform:

Rep. Tom Tancredo’s Four-Point Plan for Immigration Control

The United States has lost control over its immigration policy. Over one million persons enter our nation illegally each year and we have antiquated and error-prone systems for knowing who our legal visitors are and for enforcing their visa time limits. Every poll shows that over 75% of citizens support border security and strict enforcement of our immigration laws. They want our immigration policies fixed. Here is my four-point plan for achieving control of our borders and enforcing sensible immigration policies.

1. Secure our Nation’s Borders

Increase Border Patrol manpower from the present 11,500 to 20,000 (HR 3534). Use the U.S. Military until the Border Patrol reaches that manpower level (HR 277). Accelerate the use of new technology and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to identify and help apprehend smugglers and trespassers. Double the capacity of the detention centers for apprehended trespassers. End the “catch and release” policy by instituting fines and jail time for repeat offenders. Require stiff prison sentences for convicted “coyotes” and felons who return to the U.S. after deportation. Accelerate the implementation of the “USVISIT” biometric identifier program for all foreign nationals entering the country through our ports of entry. 2. Establish a Genuine Guest Worker Program

Enact a genuine Guest Worker Bill (HR 3534) to allow any foreign national to enter the US legally to work for up to one year in a job that cannot be filled by a citizen. Require employers to advertise all jobs on an internet bulletin board and for two weeks before hiring a Guest Worker. Require illegal aliens already in the U.S. to first return home and apply for jobs through the legal processes. 3. Improve “Interior Enforcement” of Immigration Laws

Provide adequate resources to the “Detention and Removal” branch of the Bureau of Customs and Immigration Enforcement (BICE) to allow apprehension and removal of all criminal aliens. Enact the “CLEAR” Act (HR 2671) to give local law enforcement incentives and reimbursements for participating in immigration law enforcement. Establish stiff fines and tax penalties for employers who violate the law by hiring illegal aliens, and devote adequate resources to identify and prosecute those employers. 4. Remove Incentives for Illegal Immigration

Employers who hire illegal aliens should face stiff fines and tax penalties (see#2 above). Federal and State agencies should be prohibited from recognizing the Mexican Government’s “Matricula Consular” ID card. States that grant driver’s licenses to illegal aliens should suffer loss of federal highway funds. Children born to illegal aliens should not be given citizenship status (HR 1567). Federal court rulings and other policies that require health and educational services to illegal aliens should be overturned. Amend Social Security Act to deny credits for wages earned in illegal employment or to self-employed engaged in illegal activities (HR 1631). Insist that the Government of Mexico extradite felony criminals who retreat into Mexico. Encourage the Government of Mexico to repeal its Dual Citizenship law.

Here's the other members of the caucus. What's funny is that there' only two democrats in the caucus and one of them's becoming a republican (Hall from Tx): Todd Akin (R-MO) Robert Aderholt (R-AL) Spencer Bachus (R-AL) J. Gresham Barrett (R-SC) Richard Baker (R-LA) Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD) Joe Barton (R-TX) Michael Bilirakis (R-FL) John Boozman (R-AR) Allen Boyd (D-FL) Henry Brown (R-SC) Ginny Brown-Waite (R-FL) Michael Burgess (R-TX) Dan Burton (R-IN) Eric Cantor (R-VA) John Carter (R-TX) Mac Collins (R-GA) Barbara Cubin (R-WY) John Culberson (R-TX) JoAnn Davis (R-VA) Nathan Deal (R-GA) John Doolittle (R-CA) Jim Duncan (R-TN) J. Randy Forbes (R-VA) Phil Gingrey (R-GA) Virgil Goode (R-VA) Sam Graves (R-MO) Jim Greenwood (R-PA) Gil Gutknecht (R-MN) Ralph Hall (D-TX) Joel Hefley (R-CO) Wally Herger (R-CA) Henry Hyde (R-IL) Robin Hayes (R-NC) J.D. Hayworth (R-AZ) Pete Hoekstra (R-MI) Duncan Hunter (R-CA) Johnny Isakson (R-GA) Ernest Istook (R-OK) Chris John (D-LA) Sam Johnson (R-TX) Walter Jones (R-NC) Steve King (R-IA) Donald Manzullo (R-IL) Gary Miller (R-CA) Jeff Miller (R-FL) Marilyn Musgrave (R-CO) Charlie Norwood (R-GA) Butch Otter (R-ID) Mike Pence (R-IN) Chip Pickering (R-MS) Jim Ramstad (R-MN) Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) Ed Royce (R-CA) Edward Schrock (R-VA) Pete Sessions (R-TX) John Shadegg (R-AZ) Michael Simpson (R-ID) Lamar Smith (R-TX) Nick Smith (R-MI) Cliff Stearns (R-FL) John Sullivan (R-OK) Tom Tancredo (R-CO) Patrick Tiberi (R-OH) Fred Upton (R-MI) David Vitter (R-LA) Zach Wamp (R-TN) Dave Weldon (R-FL) Roger Wicker (R-MS)

[Zipporah]

Great!! Thanks for the banner. I know some on FR question my motives. I voted for Bush 1, Bush 2, have voted straight Republican ticket for years .. but as I've posted before I believe the policy is detrimental to the US and potentially ruinous.

The consequences are an interminable series of compromises which results in oblivion. The Republican party is not a populus party at all, the Republicans know that the common American will always vote for a Republican for there is no alternative. IF Republican constituents expressed their displeasure at this circumstance, by voting for a presidential alternative, this would not be so.

[RepublicanHippy]

Boy are you blind. Germany has had a guestworker program for years and it is a nightmare. When Germany's economy was good (pre-reunification) they began their guestworker program which was utilized mainly by Turks who took jobs Germans did not want. Post-reunification, when their economy was in trouble, many guestworkers were told to go home because they now had millions of East Germans willing to take low-paying jobs. Guess what? The "guestworkers" would not leave! Then the German government began PAYING THEM TO LEAVE, and guess what? They took the money, left the country, then came back in illegally. Germany is a small country, roughly the size of Montana. They have strict border patrol and they can't even keep their "guestworkers" from returning illegally so how do you think we will be able to keep track of them?

My point is, the "guestworker" program is just another amnesty program which will be pushed through in an election year to buy votes for our corrupt politicians. It is a useless program and will only encourage more people to take advantage of us. Bush just lost my vote. Legend my A$$!

[RepublicanHippy]

"To me, our time to protest is during 2008"

By then there won't be anything left worth protesting over. This country is going to h--- in a handbasket thanks to our globalist politicians (including the Bushes) and business owners who want to divide the wealth by a) sending 14 millions jobs off-shore and b) allowing illegals in this country to work as slave-laborers in their corporations. Terrorism is not the only issue here and the "war on terror" is more likely a diversion to keep us busy while our corrupt leaders sell us down the river to the New World Order.

[MissouriForBush]

Excellent posts, RepublicanHippy. I lived for two years in Germany recently, and I can attest to the accuracy of what you are pointing out.

Illegal immigration ranks right next to terrorism as the most serious problems facing our country and Freepers who don't understand that are clueless indeed.

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

We agree. This could solve a multitude of complex problems. An act of PURE genius.

God willing he "will" be President and Commander in Chief for four more years! We honestly "NEED" his leadership!

We have sat back and laughed at the naysayers who doubted this man when he proposed things, and then watched their faces when they reacted to those same proposals succeeding.

The moral of the story? Never underestimate President Bush. When will people learn? (long sigh....) LOL

[GodBlessUSA]

Holy smokes, you are kidding right? The war on terrorism is a diversion? How soon you forgot 9/11. Terrorism out of control will be the end of us. I can't believe you wrote such nonsense.

The point is nobody will win an election between Bush and whoever the dem primary winner is at this late date. Your post only confirms my point of view.

[JustPiper]

I am a hardline GOP elephant for over 30 years, I have voted my 'conscience' a few times. What I dislike about the dem party is they are not willing to admit they have any party but their own. Many of us lean towards Libertarian/Independent because we see our loyalities are being betrayed. It does not mean we hate Bush, no one wishes we could vote for him more than we do.

Alot of people are worried about a Perot or a close election, but they shouldn't shoot the messenger because we will not stand for this. Bush is doing this to himself with bad Rove advice. And the job market news that came out yesterday will hurt him more than we ever could taking our stand.

That is what America is about people...OUR rights...OUR choice...not being a loyalist when our party is the one letting US down!

[Zipporah]

I switched parties over 15 years ago.. because I felt the Democrat party left me and I was a Republican at the polls.. I've voted Republican and worked for Republican campaigns both for in congressional campaigns and state campaigns helping topple a Democrat that was thought to be undefeatable.

I also feel that my loyality has been betrayed and you put it so well- "That is what America is about people...OUR rights...OUR choice...not being a loyalist when our party is the one letting US down!"

[Truth29]

You can't believe that someone who has voted stratight Republican would vote agaist Bush because of this one issue?

None of these other issues will matter if we lose the country. In the larger picture, islanic terrorists are not nearly as dangerous to the US as mass illegal invasions.

[dalereed]

"Sure it will cost millions, but our security and culture are worth it"

It won't cost anything to catch and deport the illegals. Put INS to work doing their job catching and fining employers TO THE MAXIMUM UNDER CURRENT LAW and the fines will more than cover the cost.

[DoctorMichael]

Virgil Goode (R-VA) Bump.

[GodBlessUSA]

Some comments on this and other threads regarding this issue belong on DU.

I don't claim to be in favor of this policy. I want more information before I can come to a complete conclusion. I know many of you do not have all the facts. From these threads I read the most ill conceived conclusions. Some people are just reacting out of fear. And some, sad but true are bigots. However, you want to protest this and make a change, then do it actively. Don't jeopardize America's Security for all of us by rationalizing that a no vote for Bush is any positive good deed that you do. Find ways to protest through congress. This is not policy yet. But those who prefer to sit back and bash Bush astound me. You are not being realistic. Can you imagine the policies the 9 dwarfs would try to inflict if in office? I bet France would have more credibility then. Maybe they would defer decisions to Kofi Annan. I would love to see our new judges. Bye tax cuts, bye partial-birth abortion ban, etc. Realistically, If you are upset, think ahead to a time your preferred candidate has a shot and start working towards 2008 now. It’s only 4 years from now and I know that America will still exist then, if Bush is elected. That's being realistic and making a difference and a true point of your dedication to your convictions. If the majority of republicans felt the way some here do and Bush lost, we would be in sorry trouble. Thank God, I believe most will still vote for Bush. Wake up. Islamic Terrorists are worse than this policy. The alternative to Bush is worse.

God Bless our Troops and thanks for your sacrifices fighting for America’s Freedom!

[Stallone]

You said: "They have strict border patrol and they can't even keep their "guestworkers" from returning illegally so how do you think we will be able to keep track of them?"

Thank you for undermining your own argument and support mine.

The Bush plan deals with this reality.

[janetgreen]

I received a call today from the Republican National Committee. I told him I was giving all my contributions to Tancredo and others who opposed amnesty and that I would be writing in Tancredo's name for President.

I did the same thing. It's called self-defense. We shouldn't allow this insane plan to be shoved down our throats.

[janetgreen]

That is what America is about people...OUR rights...OUR choice...not being a loyalist when our party is the one letting US down!

This bears repeating!!

[dalereed]

The RNC called me yesterday and I told them in no uncerain words that there was 2 votes in this house that Bush wouldn't get and anybody I could convince not to vote for him.

That his imigration policy was the last straw and he had already been on precarious ground with the Patriot Act, Spending the country into bankruptcy, re appointing Greenspan to destroy our monetary system, signing Medicare legislation and trashing the Constitution.

And that he wasn't elected to trash the country in hopes of getting elected but to serve the people and support the Constitution.

[janetgreen]

the last straw

This message must get out to the White House and the rest of the spineless Republicans STRONG AND CLEAR.

[getgoing]

well put, 3rd generation republican here. I've come to realize we aren't talking security, immigration, SS for aliens or jobs for citizens...will we preserve the Republic, or not...

"We're working to build a Free Trade Area of the Americas, and we're determined to complete those negotiations by January of 2005," President George W. Bush declared in his January 16, 2002 speech to the Organization for American States (OAS) and the World Affairs Council in Washington, D.C. http://www.thenewamerican.com/tna/2002/05-06-2002/vo18no09_borders.htm

[riri]

If he is pulling this kind of stunt during an election year. I shudder to think what he'll pull as a lame duck president.

[lentulusgracchus]

Enact a genuine Guest Worker Bill (HR 3534) to allow any foreign national to enter the US legally to work for up to one year in a job that cannot be filled by a citizen. Require employers to advertise all jobs on an internet bulletin board and for two weeks before hiring a Guest Worker.

This provision gives the employers of illegals -- who ARE THE PROBLEM -- precisely what they want: cheap labor tied to their job (and not free to go looking for better pay in the job market).

This won't help alleviate the wage-busting tendency of illegal immigration because employers will still be looking for illegal labor on the side. That's because these employers don't want workers, they want a busted-down labor market in which there's an abundant supply of workers begging for work at starvation wages.

Employers, all employers, want to charge first-world prices for their goods and services and pay third-world wages. With no benefits, of course.