[Those_Crazy_Liberals]

Another ineffective GOP congressman trying to get his name in the headlines by attacking the President. YAWN.

[lelio]

"Should a foreign country decide to limit acceptance of such documentation or other traditional documentation, such as state-issued identifications or driver's licenses, the actions of American citizens abroad could be seriously restricted," Jacobsen said Thursday.

So I can use my state driver's license overseas? I never knew that.

[TLBSHOW]

fyi ping

[TLBSHOW]

Tancredo said he has made the same statement to White House officials. Their response? "They told me never to darken the doorstep of the White House again," Tancredo revealed. "They went ballistic on me.

"They asked: 'How dare you say a thing like that?' I said: 'You tell me who people should blame - the Elks Club? Who's responsible?'" Tancredo recalled asking White House officials.

[lelio]

"One: Democrats see massive immigration into this country - both legal and illegal - as a source of potential supporters. Two: Republicans see that same phenomenon as a source of cheap labor, and of course, the president, who wants to make a wedge issue out of it in the next election," Tancredo explained.

Tancredo's grown on me, and he's exactly right. Illegal immigrantion is beneficial for both sides.
Now if Tancredo were to branch off to saying that imported goods benefits both countries for the same reason: democrats get more people on welfare and Republicans get more cheap labor.

[squidly]

Why bother waiting 'til it actually happens? Beat the rush and be the first to assign the hypothetical blame for the hypothetical attack!

[Hyacinth Bucket]

Tancredo seems to be the only one keeping this issue alive. He is right.

If only the government seals up the borders and makes the necessary complete revamp of the immigration and visa system, we would solve 90% of our terrorism problems.

The other 10% has to do with the people who are already legally here but are really enemies of America. For these, we cannot do anything about until they commit a crime.

Bush, Ashcroft, etc. are fighting terrorism by asking for more and more power for the executive branch and implementing Big Brother tactics. This is definitely the wrong way to go. When we get another corrupt president, we'll surely all suffer.

We all love Bush but we can't be blinded by our admiration for him. We have to keep him on his toes, criticize him when needed, and if we have to, hit him where it hurts (in the ballot box). He is definitely wrong on this issue.

[4.1O dana super trac pak]

bump.

[Joe Hadenuf]

"They asked: 'How dare you say a thing like that?' I said: 'You tell me who people should blame - the Elks Club? Who's responsible?'" Tancredo recalled asking White House officials.

That's right! Who in Sam Hell is responsible for this attack on our borders and sovererignty? Look no further than those that have occupied the White House, the Senate, Congress and the entire Federal Government.

They are guilty, and directly responsible for the invasion of millions of illegals and should be held responsible. Not only has our borders become a national disgrace, they now are a total, national security nightmare.

[JackelopeBreeder]

As far as I'm concerned, using a matricula as ID is positive proof that the person is an illegal alien. They should be instantly deported. No hearings, no time to clear up personal affairs. Just stuffed on the bus and then stuffed back over the damn border.

[Jhoffa_]

Tancredo is right..

Anyone who would trade real security for National Guardsmen with empty rifles.. stationed at the luggage checkpoints, no less.. shouldn't be very surprised if something happens and Americans point the finger right at him.

[dagnabbit]

Yet Roberta Jacobsen, acting deputy assistant secretary of state for the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, expressed concern that limiting acceptance of the cards might prompt the same treatment of U.S. citizens abroad.

"Should a foreign country decide to limit acceptance of such documentation or other traditional documentation, such as state-issued identifications or driver's licenses, the actions of American citizens abroad could be seriously restricted," Jacobsen said Thursday.

B.S. Ms. Jacobsen. Americans overseas generally use their passports to establish identity, just like all short term legal tourists and business visitors do from all countries everywhere. And if they're overseas on a long term basis, Americans use identity documents issued by the host country.

An American in Italy for three weeks vacation uses his U.S. passport for ID. A U.S. state driver's license would only be used for the express purpose of operating a car (if that country allows it without an international DL). If he's there three years as a student or legal immigrant he has his Italian immigration card showing his legal status, and likely has an Italian driver’s license too. No way in hell does he ever have some Mickey Mouse "consular card" from the U.S. Embassy in Rome, or Consulate in Milan.

Why? Because there's no such thing! The U.S. doesn't issue "consular IDs" to Americans overseas. They used to, but stopped about 10 years ago because they served almost no legal purpose and because nobody wanted them. If an American overseas needs an US document from a US embassy, it's going to be a passport

Which brings us back to the Mexicans. Why don't they just get Passports? Mexican consulates issue passports. So why not a passport? Well Mexican passports lose out to matricula cards for a couple resons beyond the fact they're cheaper and fit better in a wallet:

First, passports, even Mexican, are supposed to be reasonably secure documents. Go to any Mexican consulate website and compare the requirements for a passport vs. a matricula card. There's a real difference. More documentation and supporting ID needed for the passport.

Second, and most importantly, passports are travel documents. There are pages for entry and exit stamps, and pages for visas, pages for deportation order stamps - in other words a passport is distilled evidence of a persons compliance or noncompliance with immigration law, about the last thing an illegal alien wants to wave around.

[Dazedcat]

"One: Democrats see massive immigration into this country - both legal and illegal - as a source of potential supporters. Two: Republicans see that same phenomenon as a source of cheap labor, and of course, the president, who wants to make a wedge issue out of it in the next election," Tancredo explained. "Those three forces combined make it damn near impossible to do anything about immigration reform."

But but but wait, President Bush is a conservative.......as are most republicans........right???????? (snicker).

Seriously, that's the best short and sweet explanation for the immigration "policy" I've seen. Sad but very true.

[Pa' fuera]

Last month, a Treasury Department rule allowing banks to accept the cards took effect, prompting more than 70 banks, including the Bank of America, to begin allowing the illegals to open accounts and conduct financial transactions.

They've been opening accounts with matriculas for over a year, even before there was a rule. The banks had Treasury's blessing back then, obviously.

[dagnabbit]

If another terrorist attack is conducted on U.S. soil by illegal aliens, the fault will lie with Congress and the president,

I'd change that to: "If there's an attack by aliens, legal or illegal, from muslim countries..."

Seriously, what's so urgent about bringing in 50-80,000 additional Pakistanis, Egyptians, etc every year. Why are we doing it?

[Froggie]

Note to Congressman Tom Tancredo: Announce your candidacy for President Monday morning!! Run on this platform of sealing the border from illegal entry. This National Security issue CAN NOT be ignored. Current border patrol operations are a total joke, the revolving door turns faster than the turnstyles as fans leave the Texas Rangers games in the 6th inning!! (hopeless cause!)
An open, declared challange to the President on this issue is the only way to bring this issue the attention it deserves. Politicians on both sides are afraid to touch it for fear of being labelled anti-Hispanic - but most Hispanics I know ( I live in Texas) don't like the idea of illegal immigration any more than other lawfull residents as they either were born here or emmigrated legally.
And securing the borders against terrorists is a safety issue affecting their families, too!
The President could not get up and say that the current system regarding "protecting our country's borders" is adequate - the guffaws could be heard all the way to Tampico, and I'm not talking about Ronald Regans birthplace, either!
He would then have to propose, or implement measures to tighten the borders (I'd rather see the Military here than in Bosnia!) Granted these measures would be less than ideal, but a step in the right direction is better than no step at all!
Let's hope Congressman Tancredo isn't proven right - for all our sakes, but we must be prepared - and the current system leaves us all too vulnerable, indeed.

[Brimack34]

I think I, it is just me mind you, But I would most likely blame the wacco that did it. But as all of you know it is in fact the Blame America first rage!!!!! All the kids are doing it.

[america-rules]

It's impossible to completly seal the US border in the North and South.

It would take over 1 Million troops and over $500 Billion Dollars.

I bet everyone who is for sealing the borders 100% would be bitching at the cost.

The answer is a legal worker program that fills the void the illegals currently fill ! Make them pay taxes and require the employer to provide health care.

[Libertina]

I respect MR. Tancredo and his refusal to back away from the truth. The American people (many of them atleast) are in complete denial about borders/language/culture (Thank you Savage) and it could be the nation's downfall. There is certainly enough blame to go around, and not only with elected officials.

[new cruelty]

Tancredo seems to have a strong understanding of the serious threat illegal immigration poses, and I am sure he is doing his best to get something done about it, but his attitude is getting in the way. He sounds like a beaten pup.

Tancredo predicted that neither his bill nor any meaningful immigration reform would be passed anytime soon. "If you think that a third-term congressman can do much about that, explain to me how, and I'll be happy to try."