Agents told to be silent on details of border plan

Detroit Free Press ^ | January 21, 2004 | TAMARA AUDI

[CWOJackson]

"The Bush administration's proposal to offer amnesty to illegal immigrant workers has prompted..."

Wow, first sentence and they already worked in the word "amnesty" depiste everything the President actually said.

[Hugin]

Wow, first sentence and they already worked in the word "amnesty" depiste everything the President actually said.

"If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck..."

No amount of spin is going to make Bush's stealth amnesty plan anything else. It allows those who come here illegally to stay here, and eventually become citizens without returning home and waiting in line. It abandons all pretense of ever deporting illegal aliens. And of course those guest workers will be having babies who will be US citizens, and who will want to break up families to send the parents back? Bush is simply abandoning his oath to see that the laws are faithfully executed, at least as far as immigration goes. People in other countries, especially Mexico understand that and have more incentive to come here than ever.

[Zipporah]

Well on another thread I was accused of trying to stiffle debate by a supporter of this proposal, I wonder what they would call this from the administration?

We have no constitution, it's been rendered null and void.

[Ed_in_NJ]

"We have no constitution, it's been rendered null and void."

...with the formal approval of the Supremes.

[DumpsterDiver]

Have you heard anything about this?

Meanwhile, U.S. border patrol agents have been told to ask a series of questions when they capture illegal immigrants...

...border agents are "not to talk about amnesty, an increase in apprehensions, or give comparisons of past immigration reform proposals" when talking with the media.

The memo, prepared by a public affairs officer at Customs and Border Protection headquarters in Washington, D.C., also gives these instructions: "Do not speculate about the program. Do not provide statistics on apprehension spikes or past amnesty data."

John Frecker, a border patrol union official and retired agent living in Maine, said the note is being used to intimidate agents into not raising concerns about problems they could face in dealing with an influx of illegal immigrants.

Last week, several border patrol stations on the country's southern border received a survey, listing questions that should be asked of anyone caught entering the country illegally. The survey is being used only in parts of Texas and Louisiana for now.

The answers are sent to U.S. Customs and Border Protection headquarters in Washington.

[Commie Basher]

Wow, first sentence and they already worked in the word "amnesty" depiste everything the President actually said.

As Clinton should have taught you, just because some president says something, doesn't make it so.

[WilliamofCarmichael]

It's disgusting when our elected leaders refuse to do their job to enforce our Nation's laws because they feeeeeeeeeeel they need to get people to do the jobs that "Americans won't do." You see, it's our fault. We made them do it and we voters "have no where else to go."

I will vote for my Republican Congressman (he wants to enforce the laws) but it's None of the Above for all other federal candidates.

Let Rove and his minions take umbrage. Their gibes, taunts, and sneering are perfect matches for their character and their "respect" for our Republic's sovereignty and heritage.

I'll trust patriots in government and the military to protect us from Dem traitor rats if they win the White House.

Then next time maybe there will be someone who represents the United States of America here as well as "over there." It used to be that way, Mr. President.

[BlackbirdSST]

Wow, first sentence and they already worked in the word "amnesty" depiste everything the President actually said.

Don't quit your day job, spin is not your specialty. Don't forget your promise to keep bumping my earlier comments. Blackbird.

[B4Ranch]

ping

[keri]

ping

[Happy2BMe]

The Bush survey contains 13 questions. Among them:

• "Did rumors of amnesty influence your decision to enter the U.S.A.?"

• "Have you been to the U.S.A. prior to this incident, legally or illegally?"

• "Do you plan to apply for amnesty if it is offered?"

  The answers are sent to U.S. Customs and Border Protection headquarters in Washington.

These questions sound more like a campaign polls for the Bush/Fox amnesty plan.

Shouldn't they be asking these questions instead?

What Is Considered An Illegal Activity Under Immigration Law?

Here are some examples of the most common violations of United States Immigration laws:

Examples:

(This is not a complete list of violations.)

• filing false statements on applications or petitions
• making a false claim that you are a United States citizen
• making, altering or using counterfeit immigration documents
• making, altering or using counterfeit documents to support immigration applications or petitions
• failing to report the arrival of illegal aliens
• assisting or encouraging aliens to come to the United States in violation of the law
• harboring an illegal alien
• knowingly employing aliens who do not have permission to work in the United States
• recruiting or referring for a fee aliens who do not have permission to work in the United States
• failing to complete and maintain immigration Form I-9 for all new employees, whether citizens or aliens
• failing to depart the United States when ordered removed (deported)
• entering or attempting to enter the United States at a time or place which is not authorized
• attempting to enter the United States by misrepresenting (lying about) material facts
• entering into a marriage to circumvent the immigration laws
• entering or attempting to enter the United States without permission after having been removed (deported)
• assisting an alien to enter the United States for prostitution or other immoral purposes

[B4Ranch]

If President Bush is more concerned with the Hispanic vote than the plight of unemployed Americans, he should run for president of Mexico. I'm sure they would grant him guest politician status."

[international american]

"John Frecker, a border patrol union official and retired agent living in Maine, said the note is being used to intimidate agents into not raising concerns about problems they could face in dealing with an influx of illegal immigrants."

Bordergate!!!!!!!!!!

[Ajnin]

Meanwhile, U.S. border patrol agents have been told to ask a series of questions when they capture illegal immigrants

This is true but only a select group of agents are giving the survey. So far I have not seen any official policy by DHS regarding the new amnesty. Our policy when talking to the media has always been to direct them to the Public Information Officer. Otherwise known as the Politically Correct Information Officer.

[Hegemony Cricket]

My Plan - Simple & Straight-Forward:

"We Deport, You Reside!"

[Sabertooth]

U.S. border patrol agents have been told to ask a series of questions when they capture illegal immigrants, including whether the immigrants have heard of President George W. Bush's proposal.

According to a list of talking points distributed nationwide, border agents are "not to talk about amnesty, an increase in apprehensions, or give comparisons of past immigration reform proposals" when talking with the media.

The memo, prepared by a public affairs officer at Customs and Border Protection headquarters in Washington, D.C., also gives these instructions: "Do not speculate about the program. Do not provide statistics on apprehension spikes or past amnesty data."

An agency spokesman said the note was meant to prevent confusion about how to handle questions on the president's proposal. He said statistical information on apprehension numbers will still be available, but only through headquarters.

Have you guys seen or heard of this memo?

If so, are these quotes accurate?

If you come across this memo, can you post it here?

[jeremiah]

This plan is a de facto amnesty program, of course they will not say this. The border is now officially not in play, and the people that want it closed are the insane. Anyone defending it as a good plan, and spouting the official line of "not an amnesty" are not being truthful. These people will never be forced to leave, nor even asked to. When the three years are up, the cry will be "they followed the rules, and are productive taxpayers, why should they force their chillrun to uproot lives, why should employers be forced to replace these dynamic(and cheap) workers with caucasians that can't even find their buttocks with both hands?

I don't see Bush as a traitor to the cause like others though, because he never promised to be a conservative. He is exactly as advertised, a tough on defense, tax-cutting Democrat, in Republican clothing.

[jeremiah]

If GWs plan to win the election by taking the independents and some of the Democrat votes, what of the local elections? The Democrats may take many seats back in the House and Senate, because of the fact the Republican voters may sit this election out in significant numbers. So instead of coatails, we may have Bush exhaust.

[KantianBurke]

WHAT THE #$%^???!?! This is outrageous!!