Posted on 08/05/2005 7:45:55 PM PDT by Black Tooth
House Majority Leader Tom DeLay urged Texas police Thursday night to begin rounding up illegal immigrants, and said he backed legislation that would cut off federal funds to cities that don't enforce U.S. immigration laws.
Speaking to a gathering of Fort Bend County, Texas Republicans, DeLay said that if police rounded up illegals, the federal government would find places to house them.
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In quotes picked up by the Houston Chronicle, the top Republican urged: "If you pick up 50 or 100 of them, you can call the National Guard." As for housing, DeLay said: "Put them in tents."
He noted that until now, even the federal government has not rounded up illegal immigrants in U.S. cities, because federal agents had no place to detain them. The situation is changing, however, under the new leadership at the Department of Homeland Security, he said.
DeLay emphasized that he's a strong supporter of legal immigration. But he opposes educating illegal immigrants using U.S. tax dollars or having their U.S.-born children automatically become American citizens.
According to the Chronicle, he blasted Houston city officials for their lax attitude toward illegal immigration, saying, "It greatly concerns me that the police chief in Houston, Texas, has created a sanctuary in Houston by announcing that he is not going to enforce our laws."
DeLay said he supported legislation introduced by Rep. Tom Tancredo that would withhold federal funding from cities like Houston that ignore federal immigration regulations.
Other big city governments, including New York City, that do not enforce immigration laws and would presumably also be at risk to have federal subsidies yanked under the provision supported by DeLay.
How do you mean? Are you saying that DeLay will have his way and get tough on illegals, or Bush will push through an amnesty type bill with the help of DeLay? I'm really hoping deLay follows through on these promises. I always liked him, but now I have alot more respect for him and I will support him forever if he keeps his promises.
It is my opinion, anyway, that DeLaw is probably speaking for Bush here. I doubt the Pres wants to come out and be this aggressive, so it seems like a good idea to have DeLay do it. Do you agree that for DeLay to come out this strong he probably is representing the White House position?
politics is a funny business.
THANK GOD!
"If you pick up 50 or 100 of them, you can call the National Guard." As for housing, DeLay said: "Put them in tents."
My money's on your second option.
Bingo
"As I understand it, Cafta requires open borders...I believe the wording has to do with 'the free flow of goods and people'..."
That's what I heard also. DeLay is blowing smoke as are all the rest.
I think the reason the gov doesn't worry about the border is that they know it will eventually be open. So why bother trying to tighten it up now.
I would add to your list. Build a barrier so they can't come back so easily and stop all the free stuff to Illegals.
that's the head fake to watch for here.
Yes it is, but shouldn't be. I vividly recall someone else making statements and promises. They didn't keep their word, and it came back to haunt them in a very big way.
I think most people are paying closer attention today. Especially on issues like this, that affect nearly everything we do.
Eh, I doubt it. The fact that DeLay is out there being so aggressive probably means that he represents the position the White House will take. I assume that Bush will quietly support a very tough reform policy. Admittedly, I never thought that up until I read DeLay's remarks. More often than not DeLay represents the President's point of view.
GO Tom!
Well, if that's so, then the WH has just done a 180 degree turn from what they've been saying and working towards for five years.
The fact that the most vocal open borders person on this site supports DeLay just strengthens my belief that this is all just a diversion by DeLay.
You know, I've seen a number of quotes about just how expensive rounding up and sending home illegal aliens would be... Well, I thought of a way to offset the cost:
When someone's caught employing an illegal alien, that person would be fined $1,000 per illegal worker for the first offense, and those funds could be used to help offset the cost. If that same employer is caught again, for each subsequent offense, the fine would double... $2,000 per illegal for a second offense, $4,000 per for a third, $8,000 per for the fourth offense, etc...
Eventually, the employers will learn that illegal, cheap labor isn't really all that cheap after all.
And if the jobs for illegal aliens dry up, as well as public services, then maybe they'll stop coming.
Mark
Oh crap... check book time.
I can't believe he's read everyone's posts. Time to send him some donations.
Hoppy
It's so simple. So credible. It has to make every clear thinking American ask themselves, "why have they not done this"?
I'm not sure. I've always felt that Bush actually wants a tough policy, but he has been so concerned with wooing the Hispanic vote he has been too lenient. However, as well all know, this issue has exploded recently. 80% of the country wants a serious crackdown on illegal immigration, and Bush must know that by now. Also, I thing the GOP has begun to realize that this issue has the potential to tear the GOP apart, and if a bill like McCain/kennedy were to pass, it would tear the party apart. These wre very tough words by deLay. My guess is that DeLay will be the new frontman on this issue, and Bush will quietly support him from the sidelines. If McCain would shut his mouth, we could sell a very limited, temporary guest worker program after a year of strict enforcement as very good thing for everybody, including Hispanics. The problem is that McCain is a sell-out.
Trajan88
Close. If you want to know what President Bush wants to do all you have to do is listen carefully to what HE says, not what the press says he said or what Chaney or Frist or Delay say on his behalf.
Like WMDs in Iraq. President never once said that there were currently WMDs in Iraq did he ever give the EXISTENCE of WMDs as a reason for invading Iraq, but the press wasn't listening carefully and confused his statements with those of Powell, Chaney, Rumsfeld, etc...
The president has said he wants a guest worker program and he wants more security on the border. In the end Tom DeLay will work to deliver the votes for those two things.
And when the bills are enacted the issue will be over, just like all other issues ended after the legislation was enacted and new issues on new proposed legislation will supplant them. That's just the way the world works.
Even the "new" Hillary hasn't gone that far yet.
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Well if Hitlery does, it will be a generic Clinton LIE.
She wants every gutter-level vote she can muster up -- remember she will put out the BIG LIE that she is a centrist (bucket please) --- just wait, it is coming!!!
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