GEKAS SEEKS CURBS TO LEGAL IMMIGRANTS

The Washington Times ^ | June 27, 2002 | Stephen Dinan

[robowombat]

A key House Republican introduced legislation yesterday to temporarily cut legal immigration to the United States by about 20 percent as part of a broad reform of immigration laws.

Rep. George W. Gekas, Pennsylvania Republican, the chairman of the immigration subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee, said government agencies need time to restructure and to catch up with the current backlog of applications.

[robowombat]

Mr. Gekas said immigration is no longer just a law-and-order issue, it's now a matter of national security.

"Members of Congress and the public at large recognize that our open society we're so proud of is, because it is so open, endangering itself," Mr. Gekas said.

Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee from Texas, the top Democrat on the immigration subcommittee, called the bill "a variety of controversial provisions that really will have a difficult time getting through the House, much less the Senate."

[TruthNtegrity]

I second this. It is a matter of national security and Gedkas' bill needs to pass. We need to start calling Congress and telling them that we want this passed!

[3AngelaD]

A lone man's cry in the wilderness. This is one guy I would give money to ensure his re-election, but I think he's fighting an uphill battle. We cant' even get it together to stop immigration from terrorist-producing countries (although I am convinced that will change if there is another episode).

[gjpino]

Yeah , this'll get far.

Too many dumb politicians with their heads in the sand.

How long till the corridors of Congress are filled with shouts of "Xenophobe, Hatemonger, Intolerant!!" ?

[TADSLOS]

I'd be happy if the Federal Government would just be effective combating the ILLEGAL immigrants.

[weikel]

bump

[itsahoot]

Wow a whopping 20%, that will fix things for sure. < /sarcasm>

[dalereed]

How about stopping all immigration until INS has captured and deported at least 5 million illegals, and minimum of 2 million from California!