Posted on 01/29/2005 7:38:39 PM PST by bayourod
LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Huckabee Thursday denounced a bill by Sen. Jim Holt that would deny state benefits to illegal immigrants as un-Christian, un-American, irresponsible and anti-life.
Holt, R-Springdale, replied later that Christian charity does not include turning a blind eye to lawbreaking.
Senate Bill 206, filed Wednesday, also would require proof of citizenzhip to register to vote and would require state agencies to report suspected cases of people living in the country illegally.
"Somebody needs to ask Sen. Holt what welfare this bill would stop," Huckabee said in a question-and-answer period with reporters on Thursday morning. Many aid programs are state-administered but federally funded and are mandated to be available to people in need, Huckabee said.
Even if benefits to people who are in the U.S illegally could be stopped, "I don't understand how a practicing Christian can turn his back on a child from this or any other state," Huckabee said.
Holt replied, "I think the politically correct movement has misconstrued what compassion really means. They think compassion means that any person can disrespect our laws and that we're supposed to be tolerant and let them get away with it.
"True compassion is correcting them so in the future they can be law-abiding citizens," Holt said.
Holt said he would seek a state attorney general's opinion on what the bill would do if passed. He said he would delay further action on it, at least temporarily, to allow the attorney general to respond.
The bill is modeled after a similar law in Arizona and supported by the newly formed group Protect Arkansas NOW. The group's chairman is Joe McCutchen of Fort Smith. "I know Sen. Holt and Mr. McCutchen say they're pro-life," Huckabee said. "We're trying to preserve the life of someone who, when born, will be an American citizen with his first breath. We can spend $900 on pre-natal care when the mother is pregnant. Instead, this bill would have us take a chance and spend $2,000 a day at Children's hospital if the baby's born and something has gone wrong. That's anti-life."
Huckabee said he took exception to characterization of immigrants in the bill and by its supporters as exploiters of social programs. "They pay sales taxes on their groceries," Huckabee said. "They pay fuel taxes. If they're using a fake Social Security number, they're paying Social Security taxes and will never receive any benefit. It would be closer to the truth to say they're subsidizing Joe McCutchen and Jim Holt more than the other way around.
"Something that's not worth sharing is not worth celebrating," Huckabee said. "This is the kind of country that opens its doors. This bill expresses an un-American attitude."
McCutchen, reached by telephone at his home in Fort Smith, repeated some of Holt's arguments, including the one that the people referred to in Holt's bill are in the United States illegally.
"They broke the law," he said. "My angst is not with them, though. My angst is with the state and federal government for not enforcing our laws."
People living illegally in the United State has "overwhelmed our school and welfare system," McCutchen said. As for whether the bill reflects un-Christian attitudes, McCutchen said: "Jim Holt is as good a man and as good a Christian as any man walking this Earth."
"Doggone it, the rule of law is not being upheld, and that's wrong," McCutchen said.
McCutchen joined Holt in a news conference last week to announce the forming of Protect Arkansas NOW and to discuss plans to file SB 206. Since that news conference Friday on the state Capitol steps, McCutchen was featured on the web page of the Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks membership and activities of groups such as the Ku Klux Klan. One group tracked by the center is the Council of Conservative Citizens, which claimed McCutchen as a member, according to the law center's article. The article is available at: http://www.splcenter.org/index.jsp
"To anybody who will listen, I'll make a speech at my own expense," McCutchen said. The CCC "asked me to come up and make a talk on illegal immigration. The talk lasted 15 minutes and I drove myself to Virginia to give it. I financed that thing by myself."
A letter of McCutchen's was reprinted in a magazine owned by the CCC, according to the law center website. "I did buy a list of donors from the American Immigration Council. I sent out a letter to about 200 people telling what I was doing," McCutchen said. "I suppose one of those letters went out to this magazine.
"That was the end of that, I thought," McCutchen said. "I'm just astounded by the attention this has received. CNN (Cable News Network) was at my home Tuesday afternoon. The very next morning, the Southern Poverty Law Center sent this out and the segment on CNN is on hold."
If you take a poll asking people if they are for or against illegal immigration most all should say against. If you ask those same people if they're for or against President Bush's proposal to control illegal immigration the same ones would probably say "for".
When the issue comes up for public debate (as opposed to tiny groups whining to each other), you will see the President win because he is on the correct side of the issue.
You think the game is all but over, when in fact the good guys haven't even taken the field yet.
"If you take a poll asking people if they are for or against illegal immigration most all should say against. If you ask those same people if they're for or against President Bush's proposal to control illegal immigration the same ones would probably say "for"."
Why don't you do a poll here on FR asking both questions and let's see what we get?????
I, and many others, absolutely disagree with the Presidents stand on this issue. But he was the best man for the job at the time of the election. You are scared a national referendum on this would leave you hanging out to dry--just like the state referendums are doing in Cali and other states. Like I said, double dare ya!
No, I defended letting the states decide what purposes they wished to accomplish by their issuance of driver's liciences and how they want to accomploish that.
I would argue the same thing with respect to marriage licenses, fishing licenses, food service licenses, etc...
If the federal government wants to have a national picture identification card, that is one issue. But for the Federal government to decide that instead of a national ID card they will simply use the hunting licenses issued by the states, then we raise the issues of who gets to say who is entitled to a hunting license, for what period of time, for which type game, using what type weapons, with which limits, etc...
Why would I want to? I don't care about Mexico except when I go there for vacations, and it isn't my first choice, just cheap and convenient.
Work all you want to stop it. But when y'all start using the issue to attack President Bush and Republicans, and to scam money from insecure wackos, and start giving Republicans a bad name by use of racists and anti-Hispanic rhetoric, it then becomes an issue with me.
Why don't you get your state government to seal your border?
Oh, it's a parable. That's OK then. I thought you wanted to let them fish my favorite lake.
One could just as easily say, "Christianity has nothing to do with the desire of citizens of Arkansas to uphold the law regarding abortion on demand."
The OBL in a nutshell...
" I don't care about Mexico except when I go there for vacations, and it isn't my first choice, just cheap and convenient.
The law permits illegals to recieve aid. Holt is the one that doesn't like the law.
Nonsense.
You are trying to play word games to defend just what I said.
I don't know how, but if it were on the home page of FR you might be surprised how many would put their trust in Bush over Buchanan/Tancredo.
Oh, but, no, heaven forbid! That would interfere with the flow of their cheap subsidized labor! A VERY conservative position...
"That's patently false."
Don't take my word for it. Here are just some of the inprovements:
CBP has achieved much since its creation in March 2003. Some of the most significant accomplishments are as follows:
Strengthening control of the United States borders
Technology
Augmented Integrated Surveillance Intelligence System (ISIS), that uses remotely monitored night-day camera and sensing systems to better detect, monitor, and respond to illegal crossings, on both the Northern and Southern borders.
Deployed radiation detection technology including Personal Radiation Detectors (PRDs) to more than 10, 400 CBP officers and agents, and Radiation Isotope Identification Detection System (RIIDS) to over 60 Border Patrol field locations.
Increased the amount of Remote Video Surveillance Systems (RVSS) which are pole mounted cameras that provide coverage 24 hours a day/7 days a week to detect illegal crossings, on both our Northern and Southern borders.
Deployed two Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) to support the Arizona Border Control Initiative. UAVs are equipped with sophisticated on-board sensors that provide long-range surveillance and are useful for monitoring remote land border areas where patrols cannot easily travel and infrastructure is difficult or impossible to build.
Implemented a Geographic Information System (GIS), a Southwest border initiative, which tracks illegal migration patterns to better deploy personnel and resources to establish control of our border.
Increased use of radiation portal monitors. These detection devices provide CBP with a passive, non-intrusive means to screen trucks and other conveyances for the presence of nuclear and radiological materials.
Encourage use of smart and secure containers. In order to qualify as a “smart box” container, it must use a seal or other type of high-security, tamper-evident technology that meets the standards of the International Organization for Standardization. The containers must also be equipped with tamper-proof or tamper-evident container security devices.
Increased Border Patrol aircraft and helicopter and marine operations on the northern, southern and coastal areas to enhance our ability to protect and secure our waterways.
Resources and Initiatives
Tripled the number of Border Patrol Agents on the Northern Border before 9/11, bringing the total number of agents to 1,000 assigned to the U.S border with Canada. Currently, there are about 11,200 Border Patrol agents nationwide.
Reassigned 200 CBP Border Patrol Agents to the high-threat smuggling corridors of the Arizona-Mexico border. CBP is continuing deployments of special units including the Border Patrol Tactical Unit, Special Response Teams, and the Border Patrol Search, Trauma, and Rescue Team in these areas. U.S. Customs and Border Protection will maintain and expand coordinated, heightened security efforts under the Arizona Border Control Initiative (ABCI) to establish operational control over the weakest and most vulnerable area of our Southwest Border where more than 40 percent of illegal aliens are apprehended.
Established additional Border Patrol checkpoints in strategically-located zones of egress from border areas to improve border security by strengthening our “defense in depth.”
Deployed specially trained explosive and chemical detector dogs to conduct inspections at our Border Patrol Checkpoints.
Implemented the Interior Repatriation Program in July 2004. Interior repatriation is a voluntary program that repatriates Mexican nationals who are apprehended to Mexico City or Guadalajara, Mexico and then to their point of origin instead of to the closest port of entry into Mexico. This program is designed to save lives and break the cycle of smuggling into the United States through the Tucson, Arizona corridor.
Developed a set of policies and practices to ensure that – when CBP does encounter an individual, package or conveyance that presents a potential national security risk – the proper anti-terrorism procedures are followed. These procedures are designed to ensure that anti-terrorism responses involve appropriate coordination and information sharing among all relevant law enforcement and intelligence agencies, and required CBP to improve communication and coordination with other agencies such as the FBI and ICE.
Worked with national intelligence agencies to share data on suspicious activity and share information with CBP personnel on the front lines.
Expanded the use of expedited removal, already available at ports of entry, to areas between ports of entry patrolled by CBP Border Patrol Agents. This permits aliens apprehended after illegally entering the U.S. to be more efficiently and expeditiously removed from the United States.
Secure traveler programs
Implemented NEXUS, an alternative inspection system, which allows pre-screened, low-risk travelers to be processed in an expedited manner by CBP, via a dedicated commuter lane at several Canadian land borders.
Used the Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection (SENTRI) at ports of entry along the U.S. -Mexico border. Dedicated commuter lanes and an automated system allow motorists at selected southern land border ports to enter the United States faster.
Improved selectivity, screening, and targeting
National Targeting Center was established on October 21, 2001—before September 11, no national level targeting of people or goods crossing our borders existed. The NTC is the centralized coordination point for all of CBP’s anti-terrorism efforts. Utilizing sophisticated targeting methodology it analyzes, screens, and targets for intensive anti-terrorism inspection all passengers and cargo before arrival in the United States.
Established the 24-hour rule, which requires that CBP receive detailed electronic information on all U.S.-bound sea cargo before the cargo is loaded at the foreign port, which provides for improved targeting capability.
CBP uses advance information from the Automated Targeting System (ATS), Automated Export System (AES), and the Trade Act of 2002 Advance Electronic Information Regulations to perform transactional risk assessments, evaluate potential national security risks, and identify cargo that may pose a threat.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and CBP personnel are working side by side at the NTC to protect the U.S. food supply by screening high-risk imported food shipments and implementing provisions of the Bioterrorism Act of 2002. CBP and FDA are able to react quickly to threats of bio-terrorist attacks on the U.S. food supply or to other food related emergencies.
The Aviation Transportation Security Act of 2001 (APIS) and the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Reform Act of 2002, mandated the electronic transmission of passenger and crew manifest for inbound and outbound commercial air and sea carriers to the APIS system.
The Student and Exchange Visitor System (SEVIS) was implemented in August 2003. It is an Internet/Intranet based system operated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that electronically captures, maintains, and monitors information relevant to each foreign student, exchange visitor, and their dependents. SEVIS provides CBP with a mechanism to facilitate the entry of bonafide students and exchange visitors and quickly identify possible status violators.
The Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) continues to make electronic risk management far more effective. The ACE Secure Data Portal provides a single, centralized on-line access point to connect CBP and the trade community. CBP's modernization efforts enhance border security while optimizing the ever-increasing flow of legitimate trade.
Pushing Our Zone of Security Outward
Established the Container Security Initiative (CSI) ( Container Security Initiative (CSI) ) . CSI allows CBP to target, and with our foreign counterparts, screen containers, prior to the container being laded on ships destined for the United States. Teams of CBP officers have been assigned to 25 overseas ports to target and screen containers that pose a potential risk for terrorism destined for the United States. Nineteen countries have committed to participation in CSI. There are 37 ports within those nineteen countries that are in various stages of CSI implementation.
Instituted the Immigration Security Initiative (ISI) pilot program that places teams of CBP officers at key foreign “hub” airports working with foreign law enforcement and airline officials to inspect high-risk passengers prior to boarding U.S. bound aircraft. The first two foreign airports to participate in the program are Amsterdam, Holland and Warsaw, Poland.
Private/public sector and international partnerships
Established Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) ( Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) ) to work with importers, carriers, brokers, and other industry sectors to emphasize a seamless security-conscious environment throughout the entire commercial process, from manufacture through transportation and importation to ultimate distribution. Begun in November, 2001, C-TPAT now has more than 7,000 members and is the largest public/private partnership in federal government in U.S. history. C-TPAT provides a forum for the business community and CBP to exchange anti-terrorism ideas, concepts and information to further secure the entire commercial process.
Established the Free and Secure Trade Program (FAST) ( FAST Application Information ) , an expedited processing program to speed the movement of secure truck shipments across our shared borders.
Expanded the Border Safety Initiative (BSI), whose primary objective is the reduction of injuries and prevention of deaths in the southwest border region and the creation of a safer border environment. BSI is a bi-lateral agreement with the Mexican government to inform potential migrants of the hazards of crossing the border illegally and to respond to those who are in a life-threatening situation.
Established Smart Border Action Plans, which are cooperative agreements with Canada and Mexico to protect our common borders as well as our shared economic prosperity. The plans provide for additional security personnel to protect our shared borders.
One Face at the Border
Successfully integrated four different organizations from three different departments of government into CBP with no interruption in operations.
Named a single port director for unified CBP operations at each of the more than 300 ports of entry.
Established a short, clear chain of command from the field to headquarters that encompassed the customs, immigration, and agriculture responsibilities of the new agency.
Issued new DHS badges to CBP officers, CBP agriculture specialists, and CBP Border Patrol agents. The new badge is the visible, unifying symbol of the entire CBP frontline workforce, and represents DHS’ and CBP’s commitment to preserve and protect our nation.
Expanded coverage of the Customs Officer Pay Reform Act (COPRA) to bring fairness to inspector overtime pay. To address the inequities created by numerous overtime systems for frontline inspectors transferring to CBP, the agency proposed that based on its advantages, COPRA, which has been in effect since 1994, be used for all inspectors.
Converted over 18,000 Customs, Immigration, and Agriculture Inspectors to two new positions -- Customs and Border Protection Officer (1895 Series) and Agriculture Inspector (0401 Series). This initiative fully integrates the inspectional functions of CBP’s legacy inspectors, enhancing the agency’s ability to perform its anti-terrorism and traditional missions.
Implemented shared HRM services to optimize service and efficiency to its customers. HRM has established a new shared services organization that fully integrates additional staff from legacy agencies. The new service provides the tri-bureaus of ICE, USCIS, and CBP with high-quality HR service as well as service to other DHS clients.
Established CareerFinder as the agency’s online vacancy system. Careerfinder will be used to fill all tri-bureau vacancies (USCIS, CBP, ICE), excluding only entry-level positions that require testing.
Initiated an innovative Border Patrol relocation expense program. The new program reduces the average cost of voluntary moves for Border Patrol Agents from approximately $72,000 to $12,000 per move.
Training
Improved anti-terrorism training for all CBP personnel. CBP has implemented anti-terrorism training for all personnel with a special focus on training related to weapons of mass effect. This includes identifying and intercepting potential instruments of terrorism using non-intrusive inspection technology and radiation detection equipment.
Produced an agriculture fundamentals module for classes of new CBP Officers as their initiation to the agriculture component of their new training. A new agriculture procedures module will be delivered to all current CBP Officers at the nation's ports of entry.
Keeping our borders and our future safe and secure
CBP will continue its efforts to defend our borders against terrorists and their weapons through innovative use of detection technology, advanced information systems, risk-management, and collaborative ventures with the trade and foreign governments while maintaining a vigorous and welcoming tourism and commercial trade posture.
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/fact_sheets/09172004.xml
Mexican laborers don't carry three ton nuclear bombs in their back packs.
Bush has his priorities in order.
I think you should --- we should want a stable and middle class Mexico for our neighbor --- even if it means we don't get such cheap and desperate servants who are so glad to clean our toilets, and even if Mexican vacations costs a little more like American vacations.
Sure for some it's appealing to have Mexicans starving and dirt poor --- easily and willingly exploitable.
OK, I will.
Yes --- the elitists believe that middle class is disgusting. They do prefer their lowly obedient servants who follow their orders over the uppity middle class types who have a choice.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.