Allard plays down remarks

Rocky Mountain News ^ | June 30, 2005 | Judith Kohler

[bayourod]

Sen. Wayne Allard is downplaying Democratic criticism after he reportedly linked illegal immigration with crime, and the Colorado Republican accused the state Democratic Party of harboring its own stereotypes.

A May 27 story in the Greeley Tribune quoted Allard as saying that the more illegal immigration there is, "the more crime you have."

The story was about his opposition to a bill that would allow undocumented workers to apply for permanent residency.

Colorado Democratic Party Chairwoman Pat Waak called on Allard to apologize, and assailed his remarks as "another example of Republican attitudes toward the Latino community."

Allard said in a phone interview Tuesday that his comments to the paper were taken out of context. He said he was referring to smugglers who abandon or enslave illegal immigrants and are involved in drug and crime rings. He said he never mentioned ethnicity and, in fact, based his remarks on media accounts of the plight of women and children from around the world.

"I think the chair of the Democratic Party owes an apology to the Hispanic community for identifying all illegal immigrants as Hispanics," Allard said.

Discussion of illegal immigration usually alludes to Hispanics because most of the undocumented workers in Colorado come from Mexico and other Latin American countries, Waak said.

"Nobody's confused here about what was meant and what was said," she added.

Greeley Tribune Editor Chris Cobler said the reporter denies misrepresenting what Allard said. Cobler said he had no reason to doubt that Allard was denouncing people who traffic in illegal immigrants.

"But I strongly believe our reporter when he says that's not what (Allard) said," Cobler added.

He said Allard's office didn't complain about the story after it was published.

Nearly 30 percent of Greeley's 76,930 residents are Hispanic, according to census figures.

State GOP Chairman Bob Martinez said his party is the only one trying to deal with illegal immigration, while Democrats produce only "rhetoric and obstructionism."

"As a Hispanic and a Republican, I am deeply offended by Pat Waak's generalization and subtle support for illegal immigration and all the problems it entails," Martinez said.

Waak compared Allard's remarks to recent statements by Republican U.S. Reps. Bob Beauprez and Tom Tancredo, which "not only offend the Latino population in Colorado but manage to draw a racial divide on the issue of immigration policy."

[bayourod]

Gratuitous insults of Hispanics are going to come back to haunt candidates.

[mountainlyons]

An Illegal alien by definition is a criminal. A person working and not paying income tax is a criminal. A person driving without a drivers license and insurance is a criminal. A person using someone Else's ID is a criminal.

[MJY1288]

Just the simple fact that they are "Illegals" means that crime is up when take their first step into the country. It also means that they are working Illegally, dodging taxes in many cases, and the arrest reports that count the number of illegals that our in our jails and awaiting trial, totally backs up what Allard said

[Travis McGee]

Respect for the law begins right at the border, where illegal criminal invaders break their first law.

---

U.S. Constitution Article 4 Section 4:

"The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government,

and shall protect each of them against Invasion;"

---

Invasion: \In*va"sion\, n. [L. invasio: cf. F. invasion. See Invade.] [1913 Webster]

1. The act of invading; the act of encroaching upon the rights or possessions of another; encroachment; trespass.

[bayourod]

"and shall protect each of them against Invasion"

Does that mean the federal government has to keep yankees from moving to Texas?

[bayourod]

"the simple fact that they are "Illegals" means that crime is up "

It's illegal to "enter" without authorization but it's not illegal to "be" here. Similar to the situation where it is illegal to possess cocaine but not illegal to use it.

But the point is that politicians should not make gratuitous insults about Hispanics. It could scare off contributers and shorten careers.

[Brilliant]

A May 27 story in the Greeley Tribune quoted Allard as saying that the more illegal immigration there is, "the more crime you have."...

Colorado Democratic Party Chairwoman Pat Waak called on Allard to apologize, and assailed his remarks as "another example of Republican attitudes toward the Latino community."

The Dem Chairwoman equates Latinos to illegal immigration. Shame on her. She should apologize.

[bayourod]

"An Illegal alien by definition is a criminal."

Actually the regulation they violate is civil, not criminal.

[Brilliant]

What this story really shows is the lackadaisical attitude that Democrats have toward crime and illegal immigration.

[bayourod]

The antis play a lot of word games but they don't fool anyone.

[Half Vast Conspiracy]

The Dem Chairwoman equates Latinos to illegal immigration. Shame on her. She should apologize.

Repeat after me: Democrats may generalize, Republicans may not.

[ElRushbo]

What is wrong with saying the more illegals out there, the more crime you have? Its a fact. Boy, am I glad I am no longer associated with the Republican party. What a bunch of babys....apologizing for making a factual comment because of pressure from liberals? Wayne Allard is a perfect example of the losers we have elected to the Senate. All he cares about is what the media writes about him, he has no principles, no backbone. Wayne, if you're reading this... how can you live with yourself? You are a miserable failure and an embarrassment to everyone who funded your campaign and voted for you.

[Itzlzha]

It's illegal to "enter" without authorization but it's not illegal to "be" here.

Wrong.

If you are tresspassing, you are on land/property ILLEGALLY

They ENTERED Illegally, and are commiting ILLEGAL ACTS by TRSESPASSING on private/public property WITHOUT authorization...see, LEGAL visitors and Immigrants have said permission de facto in the approval of their entry.

Hence the Chief of Police here in New Ipswich NH and Hudson NH are using the "tresspass" offense to bust illegals...it's driving ICE ballistic, but it's a fair charge!

[MJY1288]

Is "illegal" a new term for "Hispanics" among those illegals are many people other than Hispanics, granted Mexicans make up 98% of them, but if there is proof that crime statistics back up what he said, I don't consider his remarks as "gratuitous insults" I consider a matter of fact. All this PC crap and who might be insulted over the facts is bunk IMHO

[bayourod]

"more illegals out there, the more crime you have? Its a fact. "

Actually the FACT (as opposed to immigrant myths) is that illegal immigration has been steadily increasing in the last few years while crime has been going down. No cause and effect (except prosperity) but no need for alarm.

Crime rates are the lowest in thirty years. The Senator was just appealing to the antis who will believe anything negative about Hispanic immigrants.

[bayourod]

"if there is proof that crime statistics back up what he said"

They don't. See post #15

[Oliver Optic]

...quoted Allard as saying that the more illegal immigration there is, "the more crime you have."

The politically correct outcry is laughable. Allard's statement is not only totally appropriate but undeniably true.

Doesn't that matter even a little anymore?

[MJY1288]

"is that illegal immigration has been steadily increasing in the last few years while crime has been going down."

You know the rules here, Post a credible link that backs up this claim

[hoosierboy]

That might be true as a whole the crime rate in the united states has dropped, but in my town in Indiana the crime has risen in the side of town where the immigrants live. Gang activity has risen also. I know this because I know the majority of the police force. I can't speak for the entire US, but I see it here. The rest of the city the crime is ok or even lower.

[cookcounty]

Well, D-U-H !!! By definition, the more illegal anything you have, the more crime you have. Why doesn't the Greeley paper hire an editor familiar with the conventions of the English language?