Posted on 01/17/2004 4:10:14 AM PST by sarcasm
Illegal immigrants would be barred from receiving many state services under an amendment to the Colorado Constitution proposed by Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo.
The outspoken anti-immigration advocate wants to block illegal immigrants from nonemergency services such as in-state college tuition and health care, according to a plan filed this week with the Colorado Secretary of State.
The proposal is a reaction to President Bush's plan to give legal status to foreign workers, said Charles Heatherly, Tancredo's director of research and planning.
"With President Bush proposing the sweeping new amnesty legislation that will, in our view, only encourage a new wave of illegal immigration into the country, we don't want Colorado to be a magnet the way California is," Heatherly said.
He said Tancredo hasn't made a final decision on whether to go ahead with the measure, but filed it this week anyway to meet deadlines for the November ballot, Heatherly said.
Conservatives applauded the "bright line" a constitutional amendment would draw between legal and illegal residents.
Hispanic activists were stunned and said it could be more divisive than the anti-gay Amendment 2 approved by voters in 1992. A national firestorm followed that vote, but the measure was later struck down in court as unconstitutional.
"That is just a cruel, mean-spirited amendment," said Polly Baca, CEO of LARASA, the Latin American Research & Service Agency. "I am shocked that he would do something like that."
State Senate President John Andrews, a Centennial Republican, said the proposed amendment would strengthen the law he helped enact last year in Colorado. That law, the first of its kind in the nation, barred state and local governments from recognizing Mexican matricular consular cards and other such identification for people trying to get services.
"I agree with Congressman Tancredo," Andrews said. "We should draw a bright line between legal and illegal residents of this country. We should do nothing to make it easier and more comfortable for law breakers to come here and stay here."
North Denver activist and businessman Paul Sandoval, who served with Tancredo in the state legislature, predicts problems.
"Anyone who looks different will find himself undergoing extra scrutiny. It will be absolutely divisive," Sandoval said. "This guy (Tancredo) is off the wall. He was one of the 'House crazies' when he served in the legislature. It's starting to show up again."
But Heatherly said the state is having enough financial troubles already without having to pay for services for more illegal immigrants. Tancredo's office gets hundreds of calls and e-mails about the issue every week, he said.
While he didn't want to name specific nonemergency services, he did give one example: in-state tuition. Illegal immigrants can't get the lower tuition rate to attend state colleges, but some in the Colorado legislature would like them to. A plan floated last year to offer that died.
"If a Colorado citizen goes to the University of Utah, they expect to pay out-of-state tuition. Why should an illegal get to pay in-state tuition?" Heatherly said. "They should pay the actual cost, not a subsidized cost if they're going to go at all."
I know I'm behind the times, but is this the story? If a legitimate foreign tourist visits the US and requires emergency treatment, he or she has to pay. US-bound Europeans know how expensive our hospitals are and thus often buy health insurance sold by their travel agent. But Tom Tancredo wants the illegals to get their emergency care for free. And that helps make him "an outspoken anti-immigration advocate."
That passes for downright "extremism" these days.
A leader like this can use a supporting hand and a note of appreciation from law-abiding Americans. Please take a moment of your time to copy and paste his address, sending a word or two of encouragement.
Penny
Not withstanding any laws already in place - Effective Immediately!
All ILLEGAL aliens have 90 days to turn themselves in and pay a fine of US$1500 failing which, they will be DEPORTED!
All ILLEGAL aliens who turn themselves in and pay their fine will be granted a renewable "guest worker card" - valid for 3 years. To renew this card after 3 years will cost US$1000.
Companies that hire valid "guest workers" will be required to pay a monthly levy to the government of US$350 for each employee hired. ~ This levy must be paid in full in advance. ~ In other words, if Walmart wants to hire an a valid "guest worker" to sweep the floor then they must pay US$12600 up front.
Twenty-five percent of the guest workers salary with 10% deducted from the "guest workers" pay and 15% contributed by the company ~ is to be deducted by the employer and paid to the government to be held in a special fund to be be paid in full to the "guest worker" when they leave the United States. Once a "guest worker" takes the money from their fund, they are not allowed to return as a "guest worker"
"Guest Workers" who are convicted of a criminal offense are DEPORTED and their company paid levy and fund money are forfeited.
"Guest Workers" can apply to become a citizen only after 6 years in the program provided they have not commited any offense.
"Guest Workers" are not entitled to receive ANY social services.
All companies that wish to hire "guest workers" must apply to hire a "guest worker" and present proof that they have been unable to fill the position with an American citizen.
All companies that hire ILLEGAL aliens are fined 10 Million dollars.
Landlords who do business with ILLEGAL aliens are fined 10 million dollars.
The 'Hippocratic Oath' would be violated if any hospital turned away someone...anyone.... because they don't have the ability to pay. Doctors/hospitals worldwide are held to this creedo.
That being said, I do agree that travel insurance should be mandatory and proof presented by all visitors at the port of entry.
It's also a violation of the Hippocratic Oath.
The amnesty cheerleaders on FR are really grasping at straws it seems.
1.) Pass a law declaring that any U.S. company that hires illegal aliens immediately forfeits all of it's assets to the Dept. of Homeland Security. Ditto for individual U.S. citizens hiring illegals for domestic help. If the workers were supplied through a third party contractor, then both parties forfeit everything.
2.) Enforce that law relentlessly.
If an employer knows that being caught means losing everything and going to jail, they won't risk hiring illegals. If illegals know they won't be able to find a job or receive state and federal handouts, they won't come. If the prospects dry up for those that are already here, they'll leave.
It seems pretty straightforward to me. Can anybody tell me why it wouldn't work?
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