Posted on 06/27/2005 4:05:07 PM PDT by Happy2BMe
U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) today urged the civilian "Minuteman" border patrol organization not to begin operation along the Texas-Mexico border in October as planned, expressing concern that the group's activities could do more harm than good.
"I would hope that everybody who is concerned about the porous nature of our borders would allow the federal government to act," Cornyn told 1200 WOAI news this morning.
The Minuteman action "may actually not help solve the problem but may create a new and additional problem," Cornyn said.
"So my preference would be to let the federal government do the job the federal government is supposed to do."
Cornyn said he is preparing to introduce a comprehensive immigration control measure along with Senator John Kyl (R-Arizona) next month. He said he hopes many of the measure included in that bill will address the concerns the Minutemen have been raising.
He said a budget measure set to be discussed this week is designed to take Homeland Security funding from other projects and move that money to boost security along the Texas-Mexico border.
"With our enemies exploiting our vulnerability to a porous border, it is important that we move on this issue."
Cornyn stressed that his proposal, which is expected to reach President Bush's desk by the end of the year, will not include an amnesty for people already in this country illegally.
"We need to deal with employer verification and employer responsibility. We need to give them the tools to determine whether an employee is legal to work in the United States. We need additional money for Border Patrol agents, and a new commitment to technology. But we also need to have a 'common sense and realistic' temporary worker program, which allows them to come into the U.S. and work legally, but then requires that they return to their home countries with the skills they learned and the money they earned in the United States," Cornyn said.
Cornyn said repeatedly that he feels the Minutemen have brought attention to problems along the border, and he understands their frustration with a lack of border controls. But he doesn't think putting untrained civilians along the increasingly dangerous border is the right way to handle the problem.
"What I worry about is if civilians step in, there will be an unexpected conflict, there will be some incident where somebody could get hurt."
He cited the danger posed by drug traffickers, traffickers in illegal immigrants, and violent syndicates like the MS-13 organization.
The Arizona based Minutemen group announced plans last week for four chapter in Texas to begin patrolling the Texas-Mexico border in October, possibly as part of a larger effort to string civilian patrols from San Diego in the west to Brownsville in the east.
But since then, groups have emerged in San Antonio, Corpus Christi, and elsewhere dedicated to opposing the Minutemen's efforts, causing the issue to become politically charged.
Courage, Ken.
This has been going on for years and years and the federal government not only has not acted, it has even forced us to part with our tax money for perks for these criminals.
An illegal who dies as a result of the Minuteman Project would be a far bigger PR problem, and an American hispanic who was either hurt or killed might be even worse.
It's unlikely to happen if the Minutemen are as disciplined as they were in Arizona, but the drugrunners in Texas aren't going to let the Minutemen stop their trade. The chances of gunfire are a lot higher in Texas, and the Minutemen are going to be underarmed in some situations.
gracias.
we can't win a television war.
Frankly, I'm tired of waiting for the federal government to do its job. The Repubs won't enforce border security because of the payoffs they get from business. The Dims won't enforce border security because they see illegals as Dim voters.
Wow. I know Cornyn is new, but doesn't he have friends or advisers who can clue him in about what an idiot he sounds like? Wait for the "federal government to act"??? That is such a sick joke you don't know whether to laugh or cry....
Protect our borders and coastlines from all foreign invaders!
Be Ever Vigilant!
Minutemen Patriots ~ Bump!
This is the SAME crap they pulled when the original Minuteman Project was announced for Arizona. EVERY member of the AZ congressional delegation, lead by RINO Rep. Jim Kolbe, (6 Republicans, 2 RINOs, 2 Democrats) signed a letter opposing the Minuteman Project's plans. The Governor condemned it, the newspapers condemned it. It was roundly condemned by all of the "powers that be" but it was a stunning success despite them.
We are at war with our so-called representatives and the entire justice system. It's time WE take control of the situation and tell these rotten bastards to take a hike!!
And that will be....when? Next century?
Seal the border. Now.
Just what action do the feds plan to take along the border? So far, we've heard they're giving some 800 million to Ark. to better meet 'immigrants' needs. How about putting some of that money to work hiring more border agents?
Cornyn said he is preparing to introduce a comprehensive immigration control measure along with Senator John Kyl (R-Arizona) next month. He said he hopes many of the measure included in that bill will address the concerns the Minutemen have been raising.
Of course, waiting until you're called on the carpet about the issue is lame...
"With our enemies exploiting our vulnerability to a porous border, it is important that we move on this issue."
It's interesting to read Tom's explanation of why he ran in the first place. Rather startling.
It had to do with a guy he saw on the steps of the Colorado State Capitol in 1975, ranting about Aztlan in both Spanish and English. The guy had the usual uniform of the day, levi's, t-shirt with slogans, long hair, etc. Basically a Chicano Separatist. Apparently listening to this idiot bugged Tancredo enough with what he was saying that he decided he was going to do something about it, and started getting involved with politics. First at the local level, then later federal.
The punch line is that the guy he saw ranting went on to become well known in his own right. His name was Federico Pena, and after they cleaned him up, he was elected Mayor of Denver, and later Secretary of Transportation by Bill Clinton. They also named the airport in Denver after him.
Charming, huh?
Seems like Delta Force rather than Minutemen are what's needed.
You're right, but the lines aren't that clearly drawn -- Businesses that hire illegals stuff the DNC coffers as well, and the GOP is after those votes you speak of too.
Indeed, the formation of Mexamerica is a bipartisan effort.
What should we expect from some twit being groomed by the other useful idiot senator from Texas by the name of Kay Bailey.
Wasn't Cruz Bustamante involved with one of those hispanic seperatist groups at one time?
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