"It is purely voluntary. In fact, of course, some states have prohibitions [against?]. They couldn't, even if they wanted to. [They couldn't what?] In some cases, the department, as I understand it, has entered into with state and local departments in terms of memorandums of understandings in order to enforce this [?]."
From what I can discern there's a classified memo (from Ashcroft?) calling for no-nonsense enforcement actions and the powers that be aren't happy about it. Ergo it's talked around and unavailable to the public's scrutiny.
Senator Ted provided further entertainment by chewing the curtains on Civil Rights, "hate crimes" and the treatment of Islamic immigrants post-911. That's far down on the linked page. From the noises made there you can tell Gonzales's approval is a done deal. I'm extremely disturbed that we're going to have a top law enforcement officer who seems ready to enforce the law selectively while defering to the Administrative Branch's wishes (shades of Janet Reno).
Whatever happened to that story that Gonzales is supported by La Raza? Unfortunately, I haven't yet seen anything to convince me it's not true.
Ladies and gentlemen, your new top law enforcement officer of the United States. Johnny, I'm already missing you.
What's Gonzales's position on bringing to justice drunken drivers who drown women?
"......... they might be undocumented aliens, but otherwise lawful citizens. "
Huh? An illegal alien is by default NOT A CITIZEN. What kind of BS answer is that?
*sigh* Ashcroft didn't want to eject illegals, Gonzales doesn't want to.. No one in the administration wants to eject illegals.
What is it with everyone? Every time this comes up on the ballot, it gets voted in, even in 'liberal' states - the people want the illegals to be deported. Yet with all these political geniuses wandering around, no one gets it.
Tancredo, I pray that you give at least a half hearted run for President and help bring this nation back towards enforcing the laws of the land.
1. Prior to the Bush administration, federal law was interpreted as prohibiting state and local law enforcement agencies from enforcing federal immigration laws.
2. The Bush administration issued a new interpretation saying that local agencies could enforce federal immigration laws.
3. The Bush administration has established training programs for state and local agencies wanting to help enforce immigration laws. They have set up cooperative working arrangements.
4. But federal law does not force local agencies to enforce federal laws. and
5. Most local agencies do not want to enforce federal immigration laws. Some states prohibit local police from enforcing federal immigration laws.
Now why are you bashing President Bush, other than that's your primary agenda?
Hispandering bump. Here we go!
bump for later!
This guy thinks that an illegal alien is a lawful citizen, and he wants to be Attorney General? He needs to be thrown out.
Why not call them what they are. Illegal aliens !
I feel that we have no dog in this fight for Attorney General.
Kennedy, Leahy, and Specter. I didn't even want to read this, but I did.
Gonzales is a disaster. Anyone who kisses Kennedy's rear end isn't fit to be elected dog catcher...
Amazing --- an AG who doesn't know what the definition of "citizen" is --- unles they've already redefined it to mean "world citizen" --- who are under the authority of "world government". This guy sounds like a very dangerous globalist.
Skuze me? He's gonna start this crap already... They're actually gonna do it....going to push us from dissent to outright rebellion.
Where did the 911 terrorists come from? Texas, Arkansas or Oklahoma? Were they in fact American citizens and not Saudi Arabians and Egyptions? Does the FBI have there citizenship classifications backwards?
I am amazed to see Senator Kennedy bring out in public a "secret agreement", however I am glad that he did because the president certainly wouldn't mention it!
>>Sen. Kennedy: "One is the -- which we talked about -- the state and local law enforcement of immigration laws. You’re familiar with this. In 2002 the Department of Justice reversed long-standing policies -- supported the inherent authority of states to enforce federal immigration laws, and this -- that reversal was based on an Office of Legal Counsel opinion that’s not been made public. And I’ve asked for a copy of the opinions; so have others of the Congress; interested parties have asked for it too. The refusal to -- it’s been the subject of a lawsuit. The department’s response failed to provide the opinion but simply offered its conclusion without any discussion.
I have difficulty finding a good reason why the department continues to keep the opinion and its legal analysis secret, especially since it reverses a long-standing policy that scores of police chiefs, police departments around the country, including many in your home state of Texas, have denounced the idea of involving state and local police in federal immigration enforcement. Last month the International Association of Chiefs of Police issued a report expressing concern. They and others believe it will destroy the remarkable progress they’ve made with community policing in which police have worked closely with the public, including immigrant communities, and developed productive bonds of trust -- concerns raised by law enforcement shared by many conservative and security experts. I can’t believe I’m quoting Grover Norquist -- Bob Barr, the Heritage Foundation all say this could be an unmanageable burden on the law enforcement officials."
So could you tell us why -- quickly as you could -- the secrecy, and can you tell us whether you’d support them releasing the OLC opinion on the authority to --"<<
>>MR. GONZALES: "Senator, thank you for that question. You and I did talk about that in your office. This matter is in litigation, as you indicated; there is FOIA litigation about the release of the memo. The conclusions are known. << >> It’s the analysis, the deliberations that went into the opinion that I think the department is seeking to protect.<<
Then our new AG, >>MR. GONZALES says, "Personally, I would worry about a policy that permits someone, a local law enforcement official, to use this authority somehow as a club to harass -- they might be undocumented aliens, but otherwise lawful citizens. That would be troubling. That would be troubling to the president who, as a governor of a -- former governor of a border state understands and appreciates the roles that immigrants and undocumented aliens play in our society.<<
Did this sonofabitch work for El Presidente Fox at one time?
"undocumented aliens, but otherwise lawful citizens." <<
Here he is calling illegal aliens "lawful citizens"!!
If that is the case then shut down ICE!! because there is absolutely no need for them. Why bother granting permission to visit or work in the United States if immigrants and undocumented aliens are lawful citizens!!!!
Marine Inspector, I suggest that you start looking for another occupation soon, damn soon! This yoyo doesn't know what an illegal alien is!