Posted on 08/15/2005 4:37:18 PM PDT by Spiff
Majority Leader Signals Republican Establishment's Desire for Immigration Reform
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Tom Tancredo (R-CO) praised Majority Leader Tom Delay's endorsement of key components of his immigration reform and border security bill, the REAL GUEST Act of 2005.
The Houston Chronicle reported today that Delay favored withholding federal funding from so-called sanctuary cities that do not cooperate with federal law enforcement in identifying and prosecuting illegal aliens. Tancredo has proposed amendments to the Commerce, Justice, Science, State appropriations bill and the Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill to withhold federal funding from sanctuary cities in each of the past three sessions of Congress. The REAL GUEST Act requires the Attorney General to certify that localities do not have sanctuary policies before transmitting federal funds.
Delay told a gathering of Republicans in Fort Bend County that, "Before Congress takes any significant legislation, we must secure our nation's borders." The REAL GUEST Act requires measurable border security goals be met before any guest worker program is implemented, including the following: the absconder rate for illegal aliens is less than five percent, 80 percent of visa overstays are located and removed within one year of overstaying, all non-citizens are issued biometric travel documents, and 10,000 new border patrol agents are deployed.
Delay also said that he "would support legislation even stricter than Cornyn's." He said he is against guest workers bringing their families and that children born to illegal aliens should not automatically become U.S. citizens. Tancredo's REAL GUEST Act is the only bill of the big three (McCain-Kennedy, Cornyn-Kyl and Tancredo) that prohibits families coming with guest workers and blocks birthright citizenship.
"I'm encouraged by Tom Delay's remarks. It's good to hear my party's leadership paying attention to the base and getting serious about immigration reform," said Tancredo. "The President and now the majority leader have said that we need to address immigration and border security. Seven years after taking to the House floor night after night, I can say we've come a long way."
At the VERY heart of this is the fact that taxpayers are damned tired of footing the bill for:
1. Big government
2. People who are not legally here in the US.
3. The continuation and expansion of the welfare state.
God Dane, you've lost your marbles. Whose been stabbing who in the back over the last ten years? Tancredo had every right to expect conservatives to back him on a matter of legality. Instead they stabbed him in the back.
Now you claim he's the one. Lordy!
Wow. How pathetic it is you hang your hat on such an insignificant detail. Then again, I don't see where Tom said what you claim.
Whatever.
Instead of merely trying to discredit the opinions of those who want the borders to function PROPERLY, let's hear YOUR VERSION OF HOW THINGS SHOULD WORK, SO WE CAN CRITIQUE YOU.
It's easy sitting back and sniping at others who are brave enough to express an opinion. So tell us, Mr Fricking Know It All - let's hear THE WORLD ACCORDING TO DANE.
Go ahead. Make our day. Either that, or STFU.
DeLay outlines steps to stem illegal immigration
Fort Bend/ Southwest Sun - 08/10/2005
House Majority Leader and U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay last week called for the use of all available technology to secure the U.S. borders before implementing a guest worker program.
DeLay was a featured speaker at a panel discussion on illegal immigration, hosted by the Fort Bend Republican Club at the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce in Sugar Land on Aug. 4.
DeLay's remarks were received with repeated applause by an appreciative audience and the meeting hall was overflowing.
"Before any legislation on guest worker program, we must secure our borders," DeLay said.
"I am totally opposed to amnesty, which rewards criminality," he said.
Increased funding for immigration law enforcement personnel, and guidelines for a comprehensive strategy for national detention of illegal immigrants are in the works, DeLay said.
To secure the borders, "we need to use all technologies including satellites and unmanned aircraft along our borders... we will put up a virtual wall on our borders with technology," DeLay said.
Also, there is a slight change in the philosophy of detaining immigrants. Unlike the excuses in the past that there are no beds available to detain illegal immigrants, the new attitude is, "go pick them up; we will find the beds," DeLay said. the National Guard could be used to put up tents and detain the illegal immigrants, he said. "But we should treat them humanely. And ask general counsels to have video interviews with the detainees, instead of waiting for a long time for the counsel to come for a personal interview," DeLay said.
Strengthening deportation laws and tightening the amnesty laws are among the other steps proposed.
"Controlling illegal immigration is not merely an economic or social policy, but a vital component of a broader national agenda," DeLay said.
Legal immigrants share the American values and visions. "We are stronger and prosperous due to our diverse cultures. But, illegal immigration poses a clear danger to the security of the U.S. It is a matter of public safety and necessity. (At the same time) we ought not to seek to close, but secure the border," DeLay said. Limiting legal immigration won't curb illegal immigration, he said. "This country was built on immigration...we should never shut down legal immigration," DeLay said. DeLay was critical of the "sanctuary policy" of the city of Houston and said that needs to be changed.
In this context, DeLay alluded to a bill introduced by U.S. Rep. John Culberson that would enable the Texas governor to deputize individuals in Texas to enforce immigration laws.
DeLay said he is opposed to any national ID program. Also, sanctions against employers who hire illegals didn't work, he said.
DeLay said President George W. Bush has been misrepresented in that he does not support amnesty for illegal immigrants, but favors a real guest worker program. Under the program, the immigrants should not be allowed to bring their families and their permit should be for a specific period, DeLay said.
And you know this how?
Ain't that the truth!
"I'm confused. Is DeLay now a slave of the dreaded Buchanan-Tancredo conspiracy?"
Actually....
the "Hitlery, Rushbo, Buchanan, Tancredo, Dane conspiracy."
Bayo does get honorable mention though...
The administration wants two things in immigration reform: An expansive "guest worker" program and keeping terrorists from crossing the border. All other aspects of immigration reform are unimportant to them. Enforcement, deportation, employer sanctions, will fall by the wayside. Delay is in line with this and is just taking the wind out of Tancredos sails. Learn spanish.
Oh boy!
GREAT POST!
I guess you are telling good conservatives such as Kyl/Cornyn to STFU also, since for months I have been supporting their plan.
Bush has said many times that legal immigration should be increased. "Guest workers" would benefit from that. If we cant deport them now, like you claim, we wont be able to deport them later. Hispanics wont vote for parties that try to deport hispanics. We will have to change immigration laws to "reflect reality".
Ruh roh, Delay is back on the tancredo/buchanan sh!t list.
Can you find a different word than "grandstanding"? It's getting really old.
No, I'm challenging you to spill out YOUR ideas, not regurgitate what others say. FOR ONCE.
I don't think you're up to that challenge.
The theme song from Jeopardy plays in the background.........................
Excuse me for supporting a piece of legislation.
Thank you.
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