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)

[RockyMtnMan]

I like it so much I could have written it myself!

[GodBlessUSA]

Is it worth terrorist attacks? Alienating our Military. Because that will happen with a Dem. It won't be a small price to pay, that was the point of my earlier post.

[BushisTheMan]

It's unbelievable to see people choose not to vote for Bush at this critical time of war to chance one of those eggheads (being kind) running in the democrat primaries.

This bears repeating!

I agree

It's unbelievable to see people choose not to vote for Bush at this critical time of war to chance one of those eggheads (being kind) running in the democrat primaries.

[GodBlessUSA]

Thanks beachn4fun
I agree with you. I've written RNC and other officials regarding policies. It does makes a difference, I hope. I pray the GOP wakes up and starts running some true Republican/Conservatives. I wrote the RNC to ask them to please prepare for 2006 to unseat Hillary. They blew that election big time. I also wrote them to get someone to run against the RINO Bloomberg or a dem will be Mayor of NYC soon. I hope they listen to what people say.

Your son witnessed that. How horrible. I'm sure you were worried to death. I had spoken with my sister from DC following the Pentagon attack and she must have just missed being in that area. She drives behind the Pentagon each day going to work. Some of the stories from 9/11 NY I can't even repeat without tears. My husband finally got through to me that day. His flight took off that morning, needless to say I was in panic and fear. I remember going to bed hearing Military planes at night and my husband somewhere trying to get home. Frightening, to say the least.. That's why I would never take a chance voting for anyone other than Bush at this time, it’s too dangerous. It would be awful for our Military to have to endure a democrat. I pray we never have to live through something like that again.

[GodBlessUSA]

Thanks for the repeats :)

[JustPiper]

BumPing!!!

[FairOpinion]

I would like to repost Donna's excellent assessment posted on another thread.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1013726/posts?page=8206#8206

Donna Lee Nardo posted:

"Careful ... isn't recommending a 3rd party candidate one of the contributors to how we ended up being stuck with clintoon in the first place? Isn't this also one of the factors in how the race between GWB and algore was very close? The reality is that 3rd party candidates -- even excellent choices such as Tancredo -- are spoilers.
My vote remains with GWB despite my disappointment with the illegal immigration policy ideas. I am hoping that GWB has a few tricks up his sleeves, as he so often does.

Much will probably change before such a policy switch happens, IMHO. This is a huge, important issue, but it is one issue and nearly all other issues that I care about find GWB on the good, right and moral side. We will never find a person who will mirror all of our ideals. Even though -- for the most part -- we are all non-liberals and non-demoncrats here on FR, there are variances even among our stances. If we don't continue to work together, we will loose the progress we have made since election 2000."

====



I totally agree with Donna's assessment.We need to be careful so we don't end up "throwing the baby out with the bathwater". We need to have faith in Bush, and stand by him.

I think by giving a chance to the illegals who have/find themselves steady jobs, he is opening the door to deny services to the illegals who are a drain on our economy and welfare system. I think people, even many here are again "misunderestimating" Bush.

[Stallone]

Now you understand!

Bush will deal with the illegals and those who fail to register, HARSHLY.

After the enactment of this policy, any remaining illegals will be considered to represent a potential security threat to our great nation.

Here's the plan, but remember, Bush inherited this mess, so while it isn't perfect, it is a great beginning. Follow along:

1. Provide a means for those aliens already working in legitimate jobs for American companies or private families, and who truly deserve an American future, to properly obey and respect our laws, and let us also be kind to their families too. These are the high-profile sympathy cases that could destroy the GOP presidency if lumped in with the worst of the aliens. These hard luck stories will otherwise fill the airwaves, and many GOP and independent voters will feel the legitimate pain and suffering of such refugees. Call them the "Elians";
2. Provide a more efficient means for the next wave of good people to apply legitimately for access before they too become illegals. Call them the "Pre-emptives";
3. Bear down HARD on the remaining illegals, and begin to treat them as that: ILLEGAL. Without remorse and without shame, get rid of them. Call them the "Osamas". For the first time, given the cover of a legitimate and efficient access pathway, THERE WILL BE NO EXCUSE FOR THEIR BEHAVIOR.

So, keep the Elians, work with the Pre-Emptives, and dump the Osamas.

Come now, Freepers, you can get there, if you try.

[navyblue]

Tom Tancredo does accept support from persons other than constituents. Actually, the greater portion of his financial support is from out of staters. The Republican National Committee has withdrawn its financial support and Karl Rove is actively seeking somebody to run against him.

[navyblue]

GO PAN!

[riri]

After the enactment of this policy, any remaining illegals will be considered to represent a potential security threat to our great nation

Are you ever in for the let down of a lifetime. None of that is going to happen. Even if Bush wanted it to happen the radical fifth column on our streets, in our courts and in our universities would never let it.

They are all here to say. Plus their immediate families. Plus anyone else that cares to come grab a slice of the pie.

[Travelgirl]

I will be writing in Tancredo also. He will be in LR in Feb and I will be going to see him.

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.

[riri]

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

Good for you.

[Truth29]

The RNC has withdrawn all of its support from Tancredo? Then Tancredo should run for President and give Rove a real headache. I will also contribute to Tancredo's campaign, either for Pres or his House reelection campaign.

The RNC fund raising letters come all of the time. Now I have something new to put on the responses.

[MizzouTigerRepublican]

This is the letter that I wrote to my Congressmen Sam Graves about joining Congressmen Tancredo in the fight to stop the illegalization of America.

Congressman Graves:
Please join Congressmen Tancredo in stopping this revolution against America by our president. I am strong republican supporter but our president is joining the liberals on this one. We must continue fighting the uncontrolled mass immigration of illegal aliens. You must win this fight or the US will be lost. A nation that cannot control its borders will soon lose its identity. President Bush's proposed amnesty for illegals is a danger to America and will lead to millions more coming across our borders. I am a Hispanic American myself and my family came here in the early 1900's legally! I do not consider myself Hispanic but an AMERICAN. I support your fight 100%. I live outside of St Joe and am originally from Burlington Junction which is 11 miles from your hometown of Tarkio. I realize that you are but one voice for us but we need you now more than ever to come through for us. We need to put troops on the borders to secure this great nation of ours. I do not relish putting troops in harms way as I am a veteran of the first Gulf War but this action must be taken to secure this nation.

[FUMETTI]

My letter to Tancredo:

Dear Congressman Tancredo:

I admire you and your courage in standing up to people like Karl Rove, the worst insider in President Bush's White House. I voted for Bush but he is really upsetting me with his blanket amnesty plan. Why do the President ignore up to 60% of the population who vehemently OPPOSE amnesty year after year. Yet, both parties want to turn the other way and ignore the situation. Your web site states: "America is a welcoming nation, and the hard work and strength of our immigrants have made our Nation prosperous." That is a nice line and warm and fuzzy, but most of the people here came as LEGAL immigrants, as my Italian and Canadian families did (I have their naturalization papers to prove it!) did and President Bush's Mayflower ancestors. He and McCain are rewarding the breaking of Federal Law, which INSULTS my ancestors as well as yours. Karl Rove is giving him horrible advice, for the sake of the imaginary smacking of their chops over the growing Hispanic vote. Is it worth alienating 65-70% of the population who opposes this measure in order to butter up a group who goes usually goes Democratic anyway? Why not revamp the INS, and get the long needed deportation of these illegals going? It will cost millions, surely, and the liberal press will print "sob stories" of the illegals that were only trying to assist their dying sister in Guadalajara, but the American people will stand by you...and Bush if he reconsiders. He may lose some of the Hispanic vote (many Hispanics that I personally know are actually opposed to his amnesty program), but will pick up the votes of those disgusted with the blanket amnesty programs that date back to Reagan.

It is disconcerting enough to have these illegals refuse to assimilate into our culture as my ancestors did, but the extra costs of dealing with these people have made welfare and health care costs go through the roof and nearly belly up from the abuse and bloated rolls. It is a dirty secret why health care is so expensive --one of the many reasons is the fact that hospitals are giving many illegals free health care because by law they CANNOT refuse to treat them even with no insurance or means to pay.

They say the illegals do the work no one else will do. Fine enough, but I am certain that those already on welfare or social services could be given incentives to take these jobs instead of stay on the rolls. Developing a sane a guest worker program and incentives for future citizenship is a priority, but the need to deport the offenders and seal the boarder is now. Mexico's Vincente Fox is taking advantage of our generosity, and he is merely using this as a way to not deal with his own nation's poverty and throw the burden of poor Mexicans on us. That modi operati is unfair and grossly abusive of Fox.

I am also urging my congressman, Amo Houghton, and Senators Clinton and Schumer to vote no on this bill, and will not support them if they vote for the amnesty.

I say to Bush "I am sorry Mr. President, but you are wrong on this and Karl Rove should treat the legal immigrants and the descendants of legal immigrants with more respect than has been lately given." I say you to you, Congressman Tancredo, "right on! You have most of the country on your side! Fight the good fight and the dangerous pro-amnesty elements in the GOP (Kyle, McCain, Orrin Hatch et. al.)

Good luck and God bless, Mike

---

Rochester NY

[FUMETTI]

You say

"....to provide a means for those aliens already working in legitimate jobs for American companies or private families, and who truly deserve an American future, to properly obey and respect our laws, and let us also be kind to their families too."

I say DEPORT them ASAP! They broke the law, we should give send them back and give that bastard Vincente Fox THE BILL! Sure it will cost millions, but our security and culture are worth it!

You say....

"These are the high-profile sympathy cases that could destroy the GOP presidency if lumped in with the worst of the aliens."

SEVENTY PERCENT OF OUR COUNTRY opposes this measure! It is stupid NOT to oppose amnesty!

You say:

"These hard luck stories will otherwise fill the airwaves, and many GOP and independent voters will feel the legitimate pain and suffering of such refugees. Call them the "Elians"

You are underestimating people and their passions. These sob stories are going to be flooding the airwaves, for sure, but ANY conservative measure such as welfare reform will bring about these asinine tales of poor illegals who only wanted to help their family. They tried it with the Contract with America! They failed! I am adament...get them OUT! Put those on welfare rolls to do these jobs "no one else will do!"

[WOSG]

Even without the war, it is incredible that people would want Democrats - who are for amnesty clearly - to win over Bush, when they are so opposed to Bush.

This is cutting off the nose to spite the face.

Far more effective to get in your local Reps face on this issue and make sure the candidates running for Congress know your thoughts and desires ... then if you have a pro-amnesty Republican in Congress, run against him/her.

[WOSG]

Immigration Enforcement:
1. Abolish the EOIR, it is a failure of an agency; abolish the BIA that
handles immigration 'appeals' as well. This system is not designed
to deport aliens that deserve to be deported, it's designed to frustrate
the enforcement of immigration law. Michelle Malkin suggests in her
book "Invasion":
"Finally, Attorney General John Ashcroft should abolish the Executive Office
for Immigration Review and the Board of Immigration Appeals and transfer
their functions to existing law enforcement officers within the immigration
bureaucracy. ... Restoring integrity to the immigration process will require
closing the loopholes and black holes into which so many fugitive absconders,
criminal aliens, and unwelcome guests have disappeared. " - Michelle Malkin
INS and Border Patrol Counsels could replace this byzantine process
and administrative removal orders could simply be given administratively.
Replace the agencies with law enforcement agents and lawyers who prosecute
and win deportation cases rather than drag them out.
Use the powers of Article III section 2 to repeal through law
the ability to appeal deportation orders to death (and to the
Supreme Court).
2. Fund the FBI's enforcement of immigration law so that it is
a priority for the agency.
3. Increase funding and manpower of U.S. Border Patrol;
If needed, assign US. military troops to help the Border Patrol regain
control of our border. Use whatever is necessary and practical
- fences, UAVs, motion detectors - to manage the borders so
there are less border crossings.
4. Increase funding to enforce laws against employing illegal aliens
5. Create verifiable documentation for use in employment to stop
documentation fraud. Set up a national database for document verification
so document fraud is tracked down. Require employers to verify
employment and hold employers responsible for hiring illegal aliens.
" One simple change could put teeth into the law. Employers should be
required to confirm that the Social Security number presented
by a worker has in fact been issued to that worker.
A computerized database, much like the nationwide
instant-background check used to verify gun buyers,
could handle that job easily.
Such a database already exists, but it is seldom used. " - Jay Bookman
6. Pass laws and use verifiable documentation to end immigration benefit
fraud as well. It is rampant (see the GAO,
http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d0266.pdf)
7. Increase alien detention space so that aliens ready for deportation
are held in detention and not released to the streets where they merely
evade deportation.
8. Abolish 245(i) and other provisions of stealth amnesty that have been put
there through law or court rulings. Criminal aliens should be deported
without exceptions. For example, a loophole that gives women citizenship
or LPR status for "spousal abuse" is an open invitation for fraud.
Many men's lives have been destroyed by fraudulent allegations designed by
illegal aliens to gain citizenship. End that loophole in 204(a)(1)(A)(iii)
of the immigration act.
9. Give incentives and rewards to private citizens who turn in
or report illegal aliens who are subsequently deported.
10. Encourage local law enforcement to enforce immigration law
as well. (The CLEAR Act sponsored by Lamar Smith).

[WOSG]

http://lamarsmith.house.gov/news.asp?FormMode=Detail&ID=343


January 7, 2004 Christopher Chichester
Press Secretary
202-225-4236

Smith: Immigration Plan Hurts American Workers

Congressman Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio, today said the Administration’s new immigration plan hurts American workers. Smith is a member and former Chairman of the House Immigration Subcommittee.

“The administration has proposed a ‘guest worker’ program, gradual amnesty for illegal aliens and a dramatic increase in legal immigration,” Smith said.

“Cheap foreign labor depresses the wages of both U.S. citizens and legal immigrants,” commented Smith. “We should put the interests of American workers first, not last. Our immigration policies should help, not hurt, American workers.”

“Gradual amnesty for illegal aliens rewards those who have broken the law and encourages more illegal immigration,” continued Smith. “Our immigration policies should do the opposite – discourage lawbreakers and reduce illegal immigration.”

“Legal immigration already is at record high levels. We should assimilate those immigrants who are here, not increase immigration further,” stated Smith.

“The Federal government does not enforce many immigration laws,” asserted Smith. “The loud message broadcast to the world is: Get in illegally and we’ll make it easy for you to stay.”

Smith noted, “The Federal government allows employers to hire illegal aliens, prohibits government agencies from sharing information about the illegal status of immigrants, and provides government benefits at taxpayer expense to illegal aliens.”

“The Administration’s proposals make it harder to win the war on terrorism. ‘Guest worker’ programs and gradual amnesty provide cover for terrorists,” concluded Smith.