The invasion lobby is beginning to catch on!
Posted on 11/01/2007 10:14:58 AM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
KANSAS CITY, Missouri (Reuters) - Minor traffic violations do not usually warrant a press release from a governor.
But when state police stopped a van on a Missouri road for "following too closely" and found it was carrying 10 presumed illegal immigrants, Gov. Matt Blunt was quick to tout the incident as part of a new state program to hunt down undocumented aliens.
"We will make every effort, implement every tool, and take every step to ensure the laws against illegal immigration are enforced," declared Blunt, announcing the arrests as he pursued tough new measures to push undocumented immigrants out of the state.
Missouri's efforts are among several now being seen around the nation as state and local officials race to make their territory as unappealing as possible for the nation's estimated 12 million undocumented individuals.
The campaign has drawn the ire of religious organizations, civil rights groups and some employers, who argue the actions are unfairly harassing and intimidating both illegal and legal immigrants.
"You're starting to see this around the country. They're trying to scare people and they're saying 'We don't want you here,'" said William Sanchez, lead attorney for the National Coalition of Latino Clergy and Christian Leaders, which has filed suit to stop a new Oklahoma law that became effective Thursday.
Immigration law historically has been the role of the federal government. But Congress has deadlocked on efforts at immigration reform, frustrating those outside Washington who say illegal immigration puts a strain on schools, health care, and other community services and costs Americans jobs.
UNPRECEDENTED ACTIVITY
Forty-three states enacted 182 immigration-related laws this year, "an unprecedented level of activity," according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
More than two dozen cities and counties have also introduced measures aimed at curbing illegal immigration, though many have been turned back by legal challenges.
Measures vary widely but many focus on penalizing employers of undocumented workers, restricting public benefits, and making it hard for illegals to find places to live.
Oklahoma's new law is widely seen as the toughest in the nation, making it a felony to transport or harbor people without legal status, requires local law enforcement and businesses to enforce federal immigration restrictions, and reduces public benefits for illegal immigrants.
"Illegal aliens will not come to Oklahoma or anywhere else if there are no jobs waiting for them. They will not stay here if there is no government subsidy," said the law's sponsor, Oklahoma Rep. Randy Terrill, a Republican who believes the measure will make illegal immigrants "self deport."
Both critics and supporters said the punitive measures could prompt thousands to flee the state, a factor that has lawmakers in other states eyeing similar measures.
"We are drafting our own legislation patterned after Oklahoma," said Utah Sen. Bill Hickman. "We're developing two different groups in society - those that have to obey the law and those that don't. Society can't function very well that way."
Critics of the crackdown say local and state lawmakers have no constitutional authority to try to enforce immigration law, and the crack down is making it hard to find workers.
"Reform of immigration law should occur through Congress. It is a federal issue," said the Rev. Steve Copley, a United Methodist pastor. This week he announced the formation of the Arkansas Friendship Coalition, which opposes laws targeting immigrants. Tyson Foods Inc. and Alltel Corp. officials are among the members.
"We're a nation of immigrants and the same hopes and dreams they share are the same hopes and dreams most of us share about a good life for our families," said Copley.
In Missouri, Gov. Blunt has taken the opposite tact. Not only is he pushing state law enforcement to verify immigration status of people suspected of crimes, but also ordered audits of state contractors to ensure their employees are legal.
Over the last two months, Missouri law enforcement has arrested 85 people after immigration checks and has worked out a deal with the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency to designate certain county jails to hold detainees.
"This is how we're doing business henceforth," said Missouri director of public safety Mark James. "We have 1,000 highway patrol, 100 water patrol and 30 to 40 capital police officers to work on this. If we can help that cause, then we're doing something proactive."
(Additional reporting by Ben Fenwick in Oklahoma City)
And if Congress gets off its a$$ and enforces immigration law, these people would still scream unfair.
Push To Postpone HB 1804 Fails
A push to postpone Oklahoma’s controversial immigration law has failed.
>>>So much good news today, I can’t take it!!!<<<
Yes, good news but not ‘great’ news. ‘Great’ would be if the administration and Federal Government would do the job they were elected to do, and enforced the laws on the books!
You're correct, Sir. So, what is the problem?
Regarding illegals, this statement is correct. Why would "legal" immigrants be intimidated? Maybe, they are not "that" legal, no?
Senor, you're full of it!
Without a federal crackdown, illegals won’t head back to the border en masse. The exodus will be to neighbor states, so look for laws like OK’s to propagate. Even some of the blue states may sing a different tune when they experience the massive influx of illegals fleeing other states.
It isn’t necessary to deport them all. Sufficient pressure - legal and economic - can keep them moving back home ...
***Exactly. Here’s my standard post. We can do something about this.
RICO —Citizen Recourse
Private persons and entities may initiate civil suits to obtain injunctions and treble damages against enterprises that conspire to or actually violate federal alien smuggling, harboring, or document fraud statutes, under the Racketeer-Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO). The pattern of racketeering activity is defined as commission of two or more of the listed crimes. A RICO enterprise can be any individual legal entity, or a group of individuals who are not a legal entity but are associated in fact, and can include nonprofit associations.
Here’s what I’ve been pushing: it’s time to file Racketeering, Influencing, and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) lawsuits.
RICO lawyers could turn it around in a few years and MAKE MONEY at the same time. I’m surprised they haven’t done it already.
In the absence of enforcement, we can get the word out in the meantime that there is money to be made in filing RICO lawsuits against employers who hire illegal aliens.
Employers would have no trouble shutting down the border if they could get sued by someone under the RICO statutes for hiring these people in the first place. The next time an illegal alien kills someone in a drunk driving accident or somesuch thing, I’m going to point out that the victim’s family might be able to seek compensation from the employer under these statutes in the hopes that it would catch on. If this did catch on, would see such a swift backlash against illegal immigration that no employer would go near these people and they’ll all simply want to go back home.
He’s still young so I hope to see him as POTUS some day.
Is this the same Governor Matt Blunt who yesterday was named 1 of 3 National Co-Chairs of the Romney campaign, along with Senator Jim DeMint and Senator Judd Gregg?
Careful - the rabid anti-Romney folks will tell you that now Blunt is spoiled, or that Romney's just paying him to do this.
btt
As states crack down, the illegals will find the sanctuary cities....what hell holes those places will ultimately become.
When they start getting tough, then we know the tide is turning.
Then there is this asinine statement by the immigrant advocate:
"You're starting to see this around the country. They're trying to scare people and they're saying 'We don't want you here . . ."
Hey Nimrod, guess what? If they've broken in the basement window and not been vetted and invited in the front door, we don't want them here.
Our country is for people who live here and those we invite here, not those that break in. What's so hard to understand about that?
My bad. I see Blunt is a Republican.
“I’ll believe it when I start seeing about 80 percent of the folks in Indiantown Florida rounded up and deported.
Damn near the whole town of migrant farm workers are illegals.
But hey, they work for the Fanuel family which is big sugar and they can get away with anything.”
__________________________________________________________
I posted a few days ago that a great way to break Big Sugar would be to carry out major ICE workplace busts at the height of the harvest.
Then proclaim an emergency in sugar supplies and adopt a “temporary” suspension of the sugar tariff.
I was told by another freeper that all the serfs toiling for the Fanjuls in FL were on legit work visas.
You say that they are indeed illegals?
Missouri Governor Matt Blunt And House Speaker Rod Jetton Endorse Governor Mitt Romney Thursday, Apr 26, 2007 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Kevin Madden (857) 288-6390
Boston, MA - Governor Mitt Romney today announced that Missouri Governor Matt Blunt and House Speaker Rod Jetton have endorsed his candidacy for President of the United States. Governor Blunt and Speaker Jetton have been strong advocates for Missourians on fiscal issues, traditional values and economic growth.
"Governor Blunt and Speaker Jetton have been a powerful voice on the issues that matter most to the people of Missouri, and I am honored to have them as part of my team," said Governor Romney. "Like Matt and Rod, I believe we must reduce the burdensome taxes and regulations holding our businesses back, demand greater accountability and efficiency from government and rise to meet the new generation of challenges facing our nation in the 21st century."
Endorsing Governor Romney, Governor Blunt said, "Mitt Romney's strong conservative principles are right for America. He is a strong leader and a proven problem solver - in private business, the Olympics, and as Governor. Governor Romney lives the American values that we cherish. I believe he has a great vision for the future of the United States."
Joining Governor Blunt, Speaker Jetton said, "Governor Romney is a strong conservative leader who will restore fiscal discipline in our nation's capital. As Governor, he fought for traditional marriage and against tax increases that would have made it harder for businesses to grow. He has the values and the vision that are needed to keep America strong."
Background On Governor Matt Blunt And Speaker Rod Jetton:
Governor Matt Blunt Became Missouri's 54th Governor In 2004. Prior to his election as governor, Matt Blunt served as an active duty Naval Officer, as a member of the Missouri General Assembly and as Missouri's 37th Secretary of State. Governor Blunt has signed meaningful litigation reform to address a health care crisis that was driving doctors out of the state and also implemented significant regulatory reforms that will lower costs for small business owners. He also submitted a balanced budget to the Missouri General Assembly that contains a significant increase in funding for public schools without an increase in existing taxes or the imposition of new taxes on Missouri's working families.
Drive a customs vehicle through Indiantown, Belle Glades, Pahoke LaBelle, Clewiston or Imokolee and watch the folks on the street scatter like cock roaches.
Then tell me how legal they all are.
Get real.
The invasion lobby is beginning to catch on!
Blunt is a Republican
Be wary....
http://www.gov.mo.gov/press/Mexico120205.htm
The first portion of the above -
Blunt Seeks To Further Expand Missouri Markets During Visit To Mexico Next Week
JEFFERSON CITY–Continuing in his role as Missouri’s economic ambassador, Gov. Matt Blunt will lead a delegation to Mexico next week to meet with government and business leaders to discuss ways for the Show Me State to expand its relationship with its second largest trading partner.
In his first international trade mission, Blunt will be joined by government and business leaders from Missouri in an effort to increase sales of state products to Mexico as part of the governor’s commitment to expanding the state’s presence in the global economy and creating jobs at home.
“My top priority is to create new jobs and investment in Missouri and tapping into the global economy and solidifying our already strong trade relationship with Mexico are keys in achieving greater economic success for our state,” Blunt said. “This trip also will be an opportunity to discuss a Mexican customs facility in Kansas City that will speed up trade and reduce the barriers for Missouri goods being transported to Mexico.”
The Mexican Customs Facility known as SmartPort would allow goods to be cleared through Kansas City instead of ports in California while avoiding bottlenecks at the Mexican border. In fact, goods from Asia will travel through the Port of Lazaro Cardenas in Mexico, cross the U.S. border and arrive in Kansas City sealed and ready for inspection and distribution. Alternately, goods and trade coming from Canada can clear customs in Kansas City and travel directly through Mexico to other distribution points.
“This kind of facility will help grow the area’s transportation industry by attracting more businesses with significant transportation elements and make Missouri a hub for international trade,” Blunt said.
Blunt will meet with Mexican President Vicente Fox and U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Antonio Garza and will attend an event in his honor by the American Chamber of Commerce. The governor will also meet with government and business leaders from Port of Lazaro Cardenas and Monterrey.
Missouri’s most recent export figures compiled in 2004 show that Mexico trailed only Canada in export sales from Missouri at $946 million. Between 1999 and 2004, state..........
Well that’s disappointing...however, I’m hoping because that is from 2005 he’s seen the writing on the wall and realizes a vast marjority of American citizens are strongly anti-illegal. He seems to be hopping on the bandwagon and that’s good, he is in Jeff City to represent the citizens of Missouri and needs to do what WE want.
I’m okay with trade to/from Mexico, I think the stronger their economy and the more jobs they have back home saves us in the long run.
I’m not okay with this...“This trip also will be an opportunity to discuss a Mexican customs facility in Kansas City that will speed up trade and reduce the barriers for Missouri goods being transported to Mexico.” Goods need to stop at the border and then be driven north by American truckdrivers.
I guess time will tell. Thanks for the info, very informative.
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