Posted on 08/03/2005 5:28:53 PM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
According to explosive documents uncovered by Judicial Watch, at a time when the United States faces an illegal immigration crisis and a war on terrorism, Bush administration officials directed Border Patrol agents to mislead the American people by withholding information about a marked increase in illegal immigration caused by President Bush's immigration agenda.
"Do not talk about amnesty, increase in apprehensions, or give comparisons of past immigration reform proposals."
"Do not provide statistics on apprehension spikes or past amnesty data."
This is what Border Patrol agents were told in a remarkable January 2004 memo obtained by Judicial Watch in May 2005, entitled "White House Approved Talking Points." At the time the memo was crafted, President Bush had just announced a new "temporary worker program" (to read, amnesty) for illegal immigrants. If the president's initiative was to have negative repercussions, Bush administration officials seemingly reasoned, the public must not know.
This is hardly the stuff of open, honest and responsible government.
The memo, obtained by Judicial Watch through a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit, relates to a Border Patrol survey initiated in January 2004. Following a high-profile speech by the President on January 7, where he floated his amnesty program for illegal immigrants, Border Patrol agents began asking randomly chosen illegals caught at the border if they were trying to cross because of the president's proposal.
In less than three weeks the Bush administration abruptly shut down the survey and instructed Border Patrol agents not to discuss its early findings with the press. The government, of course, never issued a report on the survey or its findings.
Judicial Watch took note of the Bush administration's curious behavior, and filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the Department of Homeland Security to get to the truth in the matter. When it resisted, we sued. Eventually DHS released nearly1,000 documents, including the aforementioned talking points memo, and we were finally able to figure out why the Bush administration was adamant about keeping the surveys secret.
Here are some of the more disturbing survey findings the Bush administration tried to keep from you:
1. President Bush's "temporary guest worker" program was broadly interpreted as an amnesty program by illegal immigrants from Mexico.
2. Early results from the Border Patrol survey indicated President Bush's proposal did, in fact, lure greater numbers of illegal immigrants to the U.S. Approximately 45% of respondents crossed illegally based upon rumors of a Bush amnesty program.
3. Approximately 63% received Mexican government or media information supporting the notion of a Bush administration amnesty program.
4. When asked if they would seek amnesty if offered, 80% of apprehended illegal immigrants answered, "yes."
5. More than 60% of those apprehended had previously entered the United States illegally, some as many as six times.
6. Approximately 66% desired to petition for family members to join them in the United States.
The survey data, when combined with anecdotal remarks, presents a clear enough picture of the chaotic state of our nation's borders and the likely devastating results of the president's amnesty program. Illegal immigrants are crossing our borders again and again without fear of any repercussions. They intend on staying in perpetuity, and bringing their friends and families with them. Some, undoubtedly, are conspiring to do us harm.
In his January 7 speech to the nation, President Bush told the American people that first and foremost, "America must protect its borders." Following the attacks of September 11, he said, "This duty of the federal government has become even more urgent."
While correctly identifying the problem, the president's solution is baffling. How can we ensure border security while, at the same time, inviting illegal immigrants to cross our borders and then rewarding them with second-class citizenship when they get here?
The Bush administration stonewalled Judicial Watch in court for almost a year to make sure the negative impact of the president's proposed amnesty program would remain a well-kept secret from the American people. Bush administration officials withheld information from the American people they knew would be embarrassing.
Well, now the truth is out.
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Tom Fitton is president of Judicial Watch, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational foundation that fights government corruption and judicial abuse. For a copy of Judicial Watch's "Border Patrol Survey Analysis," log on to www.judicialwatch.org.
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Note -- The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions, views, and/or philosophy of GOPUSA.
Nasty illegal immigration problem? Call the Constitution Party or Tom Tancredo. The Bush admin is clearly not interested.
Warning..Illegal immigration may be harmfull to the health of the Republican party and their majority in the house and senate.
Are you listening out there?
We want enforcement, not encouragement of immigration laws.
Last time I checked......his idea for immigration reform has not even gone through Congress....much less become law.
Ouch.
Quit it.
Ouch
Quit it.
Ouch
Quit it.
Tancredo is a fraud.
All talk for attention.
Heard his weak butt on Hannity....backing off the statements he made.
If he was serious...than he would not constantly run from fellow reps when they want to get new/tough immigration legislation to the floor with sponsors.
Not too sure whether Judicial Watch can be trusted or not. However, Dubya is on the wrong side of this issue.
It would be nice if the MSM would report on this, but they can only use illegal when it is linked to weapons.
ping
Where have they been?
This is old news.
Judicial watch is trustworthy, it's jut that people only like them when they file legal briefs against democrats but not when they file them against republicans.
In this case if they've filed paperwork with the courts there should be a paper trail out there somewhere.
.
Not even after.
The "truth" is never "out" as far as Bushbots are concerned;
It's merely "more propaganda from the MSM."
We got a confirmation today from Terry Anderson and Chris Simcox. They will both be featured Spaekers at the
UNITE TO FIGHT ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION Midwest activists Bootcamp!
Check out our website
www.chicagominutemanproject.com
Oct 15th 2005 in and around Chicago
Tickets are 35 dollars. Tell your Midwest Friends!!
Got specifics?
Put up or shut up, wetback supporter.
He's made it QUITE clear that it's not us... disgusting but true.
Already pinged 'em earlier in the thread.
I read that article and there is a thing in there that surprises ME...it is all stuff that anyone could have predicted that ILLEGAL immigrants would have said...duh!!!
If any of you that want to hang Bush has taken the time to listen to the arguements in the Senate and House regarding this issue, you would know that neither of those groups even WANT to discuss immigration reform...lets spread the blame around a bit here....
And you guys are gonna use this "revelation" like the dems do...shame
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