Huckabee Hustles to Border; Republican provides his own look along border

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, flanked by Chuck Norris, Minutemen founder Jim Gilchrist and U.S. Republican Rep. Duncan Hunter of California, stood beneath Laredo's railroad bridge near the riverbank Saturday morning advocating stronger border security, including constructing a border fence, having more law enforcement and eliminating carrizo."I come away from this with a better understanding of this," Huckabee said after touring Border Patrol facilities and later hiking to the edge of the Rio Grande to get a personal view of the terrain.

"But also a sense of urgency that as a country we need to put our resources on border protection rather than waiting until people have gotten past our borders into our country and then creating problems," Huckabee said. "There's an old saying: It cost a whole lot more to do it over than it does to do it right.

"Doing it right is capturing criminals at the border," he added. "And then designing a system where people can come into this country for the purposes of work, doing it the legal, responsible way and not creating what we have now, which is an absolutely uncontrolled situation."

Huckabee is the only Republican presidential candidate to visit Laredo, historically a strong Democratic city, during the heat of the primary race. But to Huckabee and his supporters, it is not about party affiliation.

"It's just a matter of getting your message across to the people," Norris said, adding that he is "more of an Independent" than a Republican, but Huckabee's policies struck a cord with the martial arts guru and former "Walker, Texas Ranger" star.

"One thing is the fair tax concept," Norris said, explaining that when he was struggling working two jobs and later reached middle class, much of his earnings went to the government. "What (Huckabee) wants to do with the fair tax is everyone keep all their money, and if you want to buy something, then you pay for it."

Norris' presence seemed as popular as Huckabee's for the few Laredoans in attendance, as they shook his hand and took photos with him.

As Huckabee addressed a small crowd of media and several local members of the Republican Party, including District VI Councilman Gene Belmares, he repeatedly stressed that the U.S. government needs to have stricter immigration laws to be aware of who enters the country.

"If they're people with a criminal background or they're people who happen to have a suitcase with a dirty bomb, I'd kind of like to know that before they walk through the border," Huckabee said.

Huckabee's visit coincided with a local protest against the border fence. After speaking with Laredo sector Border Patrol Chief Carlos X. Carrillo and touring the border, Huckabee maintained that "fences work," though they are not the only solution to border security.

"I recognize that there are some natural impediments, like the river, but the river is not a very good impediment if we have this carrizo cane," Huckabee said. "I don't think it's an all-or-nothing issue."

Eradicating the carrizo cane, a touchy issue for some locally, is another method to facilitate border security, Huckabee said, as is more Border Patrol agents and even civilians, or Minutemen, patrolling.

"As long as they operate within the law, of course, I (support civilian patrols)," Huckabee said. "Citizens have every right to monitor. This is their border."

"Carrizo cane has virtually no positive environmental qualities," he said. "In fact, it has a very negative one because it soaks up water."

Before trekking to the Rio Grande, Huckabee met Carrillo at the Border Patrol facility on West Del Mar Boulevard for a briefing and tour.

Meanwhile, others there to meet Huckabee toured the Border Patrol's command center. Those unfamiliar with the U.S.-Mexico border including Huckabee's wife, Janet, were acclimated to the area.

"What river is this? I'm sorry, I'm just not familiar," she asked as agents explained how they use boats to patrol in some parts of the 171 miles of river the Laredo sector covers.

Janet Huckabee and Gilchrist quizzed Border Patrol agents on border security operations here and learned about the equipment used to apprehend undocumented immigrants.

Some were surprised to learn Laredo's Border Patrol has apprehended 16,000 people since October 2007.

Others asking questions were also unfamiliar with Operation Streamline, which requires any undocumented immigrant in the Laredo area to go through the court system and serve time in jail, as opposed to being immediately sent back to their native country, though some questioned whether that is a responsible use of taxpayer money.

The Huckabee group was also able to view the weapons and body armor Border Patrol uses and one of two boats the sector has.

The Laredo sector expects to have two airboats delivered next month and an additional four by midsummer, at which time boat patrols in shallow areas of the river will be able to begin. Agents also said 1,200 Border Patrol agents are here now but they hope to increase that by 400 by the end of the year.

(Ashley Richards may be reached at 728-2538 or by e-mail at ashley@lmtonline.com)

Who really knows what the Huckster will do.

When governor he DID THIS:

Huckabee promotes ‘open door’ policy at LULAC convention
Thursday, Jun 30, 2005

By Wesley Brown
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - In a impassioned speech before hundreds of influential Hispanic civil rights leaders from across the nation, Gov. Mike Huckabee told a captive audience Wednesday that America is great because it has always opened it doors up to people seeking a better way of life.

“Do unto others as you would have others do unto you,” Huckabee said, citing the Golden Rule. “I have tried to govern that way and it stands to reason that I really do believe that what made this great country so great and so unique is that it has always been a place for people to run to - and not run from.

“I would hope that no matter who we are, or where we are from, that America should always be a place that opens its arms, opens it heart, opens its spirit to people who come because they want the best for their families ...,” Huckabee said as the largely Hispanic audience gave him a standing ovation.

Huckabee was the keynote speaker, along with Tyson Foods Inc. Chairman and CEO John Tyson, at a noon luncheon of the League of United Latin American Citizens, which is holding its 76th annual convention in Little Rock.

About 10,000 political, community and business leaders, along with exhibitors and speakers are in Little Rock attending the convention at the Statehouse Convention Center. The convention started Monday and runs through Saturday.

Although he never actually talked about the U.S. or Arkansas immigration policy, Huckabee made it very clear where he stood on the issue. In his opening remarks, he said the nation will need to address the concerns of the Hispanic community because of its growing influence and population base.

“Pretty soon, Southern white guys like me may be in the minority,” Huckabee said jokingly as the crowd roared in laughter.

He told the LULAC delegates that their presence in the state’s capital city was very important because Arkansas has one of the fastest growing Hispanic populations in the nation.

“Your gathering is so very significant for our state,” Huckabee said. “We are delighted to have you.”

Despite several light moments, Huckabee did not stray away from several controversial issues that made him a target of criticism during the recently ended 85th General Assembly. He said Arkansas needs to make the transition from a traditional Southern state to one that recognizes and cherishes diversity “in culture, in language and in population.”

“This is an issue that is going to require extraordinary efforts on both sides of the border, particularly those coming from Mexico,” Huckabee said of verifying the status of illegal aliens. “But I am confident that our government will recognize that we should accommodate people who wish to provide the best opportunities for their families (and) employers so that we can make sure our economy has the necessary work force.”

During the legislation session, Huckabee criticized an immigration bill by Republican senators Jim Holt of Springdale and Denny Altes of Fort Smith as un-Christian, un-American, irresponsible and anti-life.

Senate Bill 206, which died in the Senate, would have required proof of citizenship to register to vote and also force state agencies to report suspected cases of people living in the country illegally. Holt, R-Springdale, replied later to Huckabee’s comments that Christian charity does not include turning a blind eye to lawbreaking.

The Republican governor, who many believe will run for president in 2008, also backed legislation that would have opened the door for illegal immigrants in Arkansas to receive college scholarships.

House Bill 1525 by Rep. Joyce Elliott, D-Little Rock, was approved by the House but eventually failed in the Senate. Huckabee reiterated Wednesday that he believes every child, regardless of their parent’s immigration status, should have an opportunity to receive an education in the U.S.

…

http://www.arkansasnews.com/archive/2005/06/30/News/323746.html

The backslidden Baptist will tell you anything. What he does is entirely different. Back in 2005 the problems were the SAME. Yet he wanted MORE ILLEGALS here and rewarding the children of ILLEGALS with scholarships. This tells kids of ILLEGALS that you will be REWARDED for breaking our laws.

I relish the day when even Mike, has to EXIT the race. He can't possibly win.

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