Posted on 06/26/2007 6:11:04 PM PDT by SwinneySwitch
SALT LAKE CITY — U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales asked the nation's sheriffs Tuesday to give their support to the immigration bill in Congress, saying passage would make their jobs easier.
"The president recognizes, just as I do, the vital role many sheriffs, especially those of you in border areas, have been playing in dealing with crime associated with illegal immigration," Gonzales told the National Sheriffs' Association.
"But we recognize this issue is primarily a federal responsibility," he said.
Gonzales said the legislation would improve border security and give employers the tools to verify worker eligibility. He said the bill would bring illegal immigrants out of the shadows and make them more likely to report crimes in their communities.
"Bringing these men, women and children into the larger community will help us to address these crimes, catch the criminals, and keep all of our people, citizens and non-citizens, from being victimized," he said.
Gonzales' appearance at the convention came as the U.S. Senate voted, 64-35, to jump-start the stalled legislation, which would legalize millions of illegal immigrants. Conservative Republicans are opposed to the bill, and some lawmakers are trying to change key elements.
The attorney general said border security would improve with more fencing, larger border patrols, ground-based radar, camera towers and other strategies to help solve the problem of "catch and release."
"We hope the Senate will act on this important issue, and that your organization will encourage them to give us the tools that I believe will ultimately make your job easier," Gonzales said.
Following the 15-minute speech, reporters were not allowed to stay for a Q&A between Gonzales and the sheriffs. In that meeting, the conversation about immigration continued, said Nueces County Sheriff Jim Kaelin of Corpus Christi, Texas.
"I think he's sincere. I think he wants to do something about immigration," Kaelin said. "But this current legislation would not solve the problem."
Kaelin said stopping illegal immigration is not the primary purpose of the bill — and that needs to be addressed before a discussion about illegal immigrants who are already in the country.
He said the problem costs his office time and money. Each week, Kaelin's deputies arrest illegal immigrants who have broken other laws or stop carloads of people being transported into the country in dangerous ways.
"We are not immigration officers," he said.
The National Sheriffs' Association is not taking a position on the federal legislation. But the group says issues facing local law enforcers, as well as training for state and local officers, must be considered in any immigration overhaul.
Exactly, look at my number 18.
That is the gospel truth!
Your point is a superior one.
Gonzalez oozes with profound sincerity for abdicating the responsibility of his high office, and he most sincerely wishes to demolish the United States of America.
Gonzales ranks up ther with J. Reno as one of the worst AGs in the U.S.
AG Gonzo to Sherrifs:
“I’m from the government and I’m here to help you”.
And ALL the boys and girls stood up really REALLY tall and lifted their voices and said: “BULLSHIT!!!!!!!!!!”
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>>“passage would make their jobs easier”
Of course it will — we’ll just declare all of the criminals legal and then we can all sit around and drink coffee.<<
LOL!!! That would make a good cartoon caption.
Just say NO to Illegal Alien Amnesty!! Keep calling!! It’s NOT OVER!!
U.S. Senate switchboard: (202) 224-3121
U.S. House switchboard: (202) 225-3121
White House comments: (202) 456-1111
Find your House Rep.: http://www.house.gov/writerep
Find your US Senators: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
Toll free to the US Senate:
1-800-882-2005. (Spanish number)
1-800-417-7666. (English number)
Courtesy of a pro-amnesty group, no less!!
Why don’t we just legalize murder, rape, robbery, and theft. That would make law enforcement even easier since nothing will be illegal.
“The question is how and by what peaceful means do we accomplish this?”
I doubt it will be peacefull, it’s just a matter of who fires the first shot.
Excuse me, but isn’t it the JOB of the attorney general homeland security and the INS to enforce the laws currently on the books? I think we may have more in common on this issue with the dims than we realize. Trumped up charges on the dim side or not, it’s time for this AG to go.
At least we don’t have to worry about Jorge nominating Alberto to the SCOTUS anymore.
Alberto spewing more Bush sh*t.
LMBO!!!
Wow, Gonzo is actually telling the truth! OF COURSE the sheriffs' job will be easier since all they'll have to do with any illegal aliens they nab is instruct them where to go get one of them there "temporary" Z Visas (which they can renew repeatedly until they die). Easy as pie.
Wow. That's for sure.
Would that be La Raza Al we’re talking about here?
Oye, you might add a picture of Americans putting 12 men and 2 SUVs on the moon, before the first PC ever rolled off the line.
If we could do that, WITHOUT 12 MILLION ILLEGALS, we can build a stinking fence.
outstanding cartoon
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