Stealth amnesty for illegal aliens?

WND ^ | 9-19-03 | Jon Dougherty

[JustPiper]

Arizona lawmakers criticized for bill meant to reduce border crossings

Members of Arizona's congressional delegation are under fire from an immigration-reform group for sponsoring legislation critics say is little more than stealth amnesty for illegal aliens.

Republican Reps. Jim Kolbe and Jeff Flake, as well as Sen. John McCain, have co-sponsored H.R. 2899, the Border Security and Immigration Improvement Act, which they claim is really a "guest worker program."

Rep. Jim Kolbe, R-Ariz.

According to Kolbe, who introduced the bill July 25, it is designed to "halt illegal immigration, make it easier for foreign workers to apply for visas and offer incentives for illegal immigrants in the U.S. to seek legal status."

"With this legislation, we have worked hard to find a practical and progressive way to deal with the many problems associated with illegal border crossings and the need to find workers to fill positions no domestic worker is willing to take," he said.

Kolbe, in a description of the legislation posted on his website, says the bill "does not provide amnesty for current undocumented population but provides a way for undocumented immigrants to work toward legal status."

"Our new visa programs will allow a safe and accessible way for United States businesses, which are desperate to find individuals to fill their job openings, to find and employ able and hard-working foreign workers," Kolbe said.

But analysts at Project USA, a Washington, D.C.-based group that advocates reducing legal immigration to "sustainable levels," says despite the bill's language, it is designed to accomplish the same thing as amnesty.

"What the bill actually does is give illegal aliens the option of either returning to their home countries or obtaining a visa that allows them to remain in the country and eventually gain permanent legal status – hardly an encouragement to the illegal alien to return home," says an e-mail alert issued by Project USA.

Craig Nelson, the organization's executive director, says the bill won't stop illegal immigration.

"Like every amnesty before it, it will only make it worse," he told WorldNetDaily. "It sends yet another signal to billions around the world that we're really not serious about immigration policy, so come on in."

McCain says the bill is a necessary life-saving tool, claiming too many migrants from Mexico – the home of most illegal immigrants in the U.S. – are dying in the southwestern deserts just to secure a better life.

"We must remember that border crossers come to the United States in search of jobs in order to support themselves and their families," he said in a statement. "These unnecessary deaths underscore the urgency to reform our current immigration system."

Statistics show a record number of immigrant deaths in Arizona over the past year, he said.

Michele Waslin, senior immigration policy analyst for the National Council of La Raza, agreed, saying reform of immigration laws are needed.

"We've got a situation where our immigration laws really don't work. We've got at least 8.5 million undocumented people living and working in this country. People are paying smugglers large amounts to come into this country. People are dying at the border," she told WorldNetDaily.

"Employers continue to hire undocumented workers. And the federal government has not stepped up to the plate and taken on serious immigration reform," she added.

Regarding jobs, critics contend the legislation will mean fewer employment opportunities for Americans – especially at a time when U.S. unemployment rates are high – a point disputed by lawmakers backing the bill.

"Whether we are in the middle of a jobless recovery or not, Americans are not taking these jobs. They are not interested in turning down beds at hotels and working in the fields," Kolbe said in an L.A. Times interview Sept. 6.

But, as WorldNetDaily reported, other immigration-reform groups say lawmakers and corporations are abusing current laws aimed at importing foreign workers, to the detriment of American counterparts.

A study released earlier this month by the Federation for American Immigration Reform found some industries – especially the high-tech sector – have been especially hard hit due to companies importing high numbers of cheaper foreign workers.

If it continues, argue immigration-reform groups – and the bill just introduced by the Arizona lawmakers would fuel the trend, critics contend – foreign workers and immigrants will be permitted to absorb an ever larger share of the U.S. job market.

Yet, it is unrealistic, say proponents, to expect Washington to locate, seize and expel everyone who is in the country illegally, both in economic and practical terms.

"Groups that think we should just deport everybody are not being realistic. That would be devastating for our country – socially and economically," says Waslin. "You'd have to institute some kind of military police state to do that, and then everyone's civil rights, civil liberties, would be violated."

"Also, so much of our economy is dependent on … undocumented labor," she said. "Employers need workers, so there should be legal channels for them to come."

Still, Nelson says if history is any guide, the legislation will only encourage illegal immigration.

"The last major amnesty was the 1986 amnesty" during the Reagan administration, he said. "That one was supposed to be the 'last one ever.'"

He also said the former Immigration and Naturalization Service, in a 1999 report, "released a study that flat-out linked the '86 amnesty to an increase in illegal immigration."

"That shouldn't surprise anyone, except maybe [Missouri Democratic Rep.] Dick Gephardt or Jeff Flake," he said.

[JustPiper]

Also Today:

Subsidizing illegal immigration



Jon E. Dougherty is a staff reporter and columnist for WorldNetDaily.

Posted: September 19, 2003
1:00 a.m. Eastern


Americans concerned about our nation's increasingly serious illegal immigration problem – and that's most of us, by the way – are suffering another insult, but it's one you may not have realized. Already overtaxed to support a voracious U.S. government that refuses to get serious about securing our borders, Americans are also subsidizing the country responsible for sending most illegals north: Mexico.

Last week the Mexican central bank made a startling announcement. Officials there reported money sent home from U.S.-based "migrants" – read "illegal aliens" – topped foreign investment and tourism dollars, and is now second only to oil revenues.

In all, foreign investment south of the border amounts to about $5.2 billion thus far in 2003, while tourism amounts to $4.9 billion. But aliens living and working illegally in the U.S. sent $6.3 billion home to relatives, and all at a time when the U.S. economy is stagnant, at best.

Other reports have suggested the amount may be as high as $10 billion. In all, say some analysts, "migrants" in the U.S. illegally earn about $60 billion a year.

Whichever figure is most accurate may be a moot point because now it should make sense why U.S. leaders aren't clamoring to close our borders. It's a matter of economics. Rather than have to bail out Mexico with American tax dollars – excuse me, with International Monetary Fund dollars – a la 1995, U.S. leaders have obviously decided it's better to let "migrants" siphon off what they need from the U.S. economy instead. Yet in doing so, they are saying to hell with American workers and local economies desperate for an infusion of the billions in cash being sent south of the border.

As Americans are being forced to support another failed Third World economy, suffice to say it comes as no surprise to longtime open-borders foes – we have known for some time that south-of-the-border leaders have neither the ability nor desire to improve the lives of their own people. Meanwhile, the hue and cry in the background are the open-borders proponents, who will still have the gall to argue that illegals are boosting the American bottom line. Don't you believe it.

But that's not all. The bleeding of the American taxpayer continues in other ways, thanks to millions of illegal aliens.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau and the Federation for American Immigration Reform, the cost to educate the children of illegal aliens alone is nearly $7.5 billion annually, or roughly the amount of money it would take to provide every student in the country with a computer.

It costs another $3 billion annually to provide medical care to illegals, though many hospitals – especially those along the border – can't do it much longer. Southwestern medical centers have lost hundreds of millions of dollars treating illegals while others have closed altogether. Closures, of course, mean American citizens – for whom these facilities were intended – are now going without.

But rather than oppose these obscenities, many of our so-called "leaders" exacerbate the subsidization with lunatic policies born of blatant political pandering.

For instance embattled Gov. Gray Davis just signed a bill allowing illegal aliens to attain California driver licenses, becoming another in more than a dozen states which do so. Forget the fact that the written tests are going to have to be administered in Spanish. Once they have licenses, how are these illegals going to be able to read state road signs, which are written in English? Will the heavily indebted California government spend billions more to erect multilingual road signs?

That Mexico is allowed to export its poverty to the United States is bad enough. But purposely allowing such poverty proliferation to be placed on the backs of American families, workers and taxpayers – especially at a time when their burden is becoming too heavy to bear – is unforgivable.

American leaders should be working overtime to thwart illegal immigration, not reward and subsidize it. If they won't, maybe they should be looking for work come next November.

[JustPiper]

Like every amnesty before it, it will only make it worse. It sends yet another signal to billions around the world that we're really not serious about immigration policy, so come on in.
--Craig Nelson, executive director, of Project USA


Whether we are in the middle of a jobless recovery or not, Americans are not taking these jobs. They are not interested in turning down beds at hotels and working in the fields.
--Rep. Jim Kolbe, R-Ariz., talking about his immigration bill

On Hardball last night Chuckie Schumer told Chris:

Chris queried him about this issue and his reply was we should stop it and have the best of both. Both what I don't know?!

[JustPiper]

Project USA

[goldstategop]

Don't forget illegal aliens vote. Both parties need their votes more than they need votes from American citizens.

[JustPiper]

Some good WND articles :
Local governments harboring illegals? - Study: States, counties undermine federal national-security efforts

Court: State must cover care for illegals - Justices reject bid by agency to limit in-hospital Medicaid

Illegals busting education budget - $7.4 billion expense hurting American kids, group says

Illegals crushing L.A. health system? Report says 'epidemic' crisis threatens capacity to serve citizens

'Mass' immigration causing 'urban bloat' - Study blames newcomers for strain on cities, schools, economy

Immigration fueling California growth - Study: Foreign newcomers nearly all of state's population explosion

'Army' to patrol southwest border? Newly formed citizen's group threatens suit against Ariz. officials over arrest

[JustPiper]

Beginning 9-28-03 we will begin a massive, lengthy undertaking here until our border's are returned!

[JustPiper]

Border becoming smuggler's paradise - Lawmakers seek crackdown, reform of immigration laws

Expert: Crack down on illegals inside U.S. - Business, political interests said to thwart immigration enforcement

Dual citizenship for Mexicans? Fox government wants permanent right for immigrants to divide their loyalties"

Document fraud imperils homeland - More nations to follow Mexico's lead on alternative IDs for aliens

[JustPiper]

From My Chicago Sun-Times

U.S. Hispanic population surges in 2 years

September 18, 2003

BY GENARO C. ARMAS




WASHINGTON -- The nation's Hispanic population is keeping up its explosive growth of the 1990s, led by states in the South and West, the first detailed Census Bureau estimates since the 2000 national head count show.

Analysts cited higher birth rates for Hispanics and a continued influx of new immigrants looking for jobs -- even during a period when the U.S. economy slowed -- as key reasons for the increase.

Georgia topped the list of states with the fastest-growing Latino populations, adding nearly 17 percent between July 2000 and July 2002 to reach 516,000 residents, according to Census Bureau estimates being released today. North Carolina's Hispanic population grew by 16 percent, while Nevada, Kentucky and South Carolina were next.

''Hispanic immigrants are coming here for jobs and quality of life,'' said University of Georgia demographer Douglas Bachtel. ''They are taking jobs that a lot of Americans don't want.''

California still has the largest number of Hispanics with 11.9 million, about one-third of its total population, followed by Texas, New York, Florida and Illinois.

AP

[JustPiper]

Again in yesterday's news from the Times:

Our Hispanic gang problem here is massive!

Teen convicted of 2001 slaying of cop in Pilsen, faces life in prison

September 18, 2003

BY CARLOS SADOVI Staff Reporter




After three hours of deliberation, a Cook County jury found 18-year-old Hector Delgado guilty Wednesday night in the 2001 killing of an undercover Chicago police officer in the Pilsen neighborhood, a verdict that will send the street gang member to prison for the rest of his life.

Delgado showed no emotion as the verdict was read, only closing his eyes. But members of his family and relatives of slain Monroe District Tactical Officer Brian Strouse broke into loud sobs.

More than 150 people, many of whom were police officers, packed the courtroom. Acting Police Supt. Philip Cline called it a "victory for all police officers" and said there was no doubt about the outcome. He called Strouse a hero who was "trying to clean up a neighborhood."

Strouse's younger sister Kathy, also a police officer, said the family did not want to talk about the case until Delgado is formally sentenced. But, she said of the verdict, "We're ecstatic."

Delgado's three attorneys, all public defenders, declined comment after the verdict, as did his family.

Jurors left the courtroom without talking with reporters.

Strouse, 33, an undercover police veteran, was killed about 2 a.m. on June 30, 2001 as he was staking out drug and gang activity in the 1300 block of West 18th Place.

As the panel of seven women and five men got the case, they were given instructions that allowed them to consider second- degree murder as well as counts of first-degree murder and first-degree murder of a police officer--which carries a mandatory sentence of life without parole.

In a rare defense move, Delgado lawyer Kathy Lisco argued during closing arguments that jurors should find Delgado, an Ambrose street gang member, guilty of second-degree murder and not the more serious offenses.

Lisco argued that Delgado, who was working security for the gang, shot Strouse thinking he was a rival gang member. The defendant, who was then 16, gave a videotaped confession, and his fingerprints were found on the .40-caliber semiautomatic weapon that killed Strouse.

"There's no dispute between the state and the defense that Hector committed this crime. The only dispute is the name of the crime," said Lisco. "Hold Hector Delgado responsible, but hold him responsible for what he did. He committed second-degree murder."

Had he committed the crime as an adult, Delgado could have faced the death penalty.

Prosecutors argued in closing remarks that Delgado was a cold-blooded killer who continued shooting at Strouse even after he identified himself as a police officer.

"This man had the mentality of a sniper; he was laying in wait for anyone to come forward,'' said Assistant Cook County State's Attorney Walter Hehner, pointing to Delgado. "He was not in a posture of self-defense.''

They cited testimony by Delgado's fellow gang members, who said even though Strouse was in civilian dress, they knew he was a cop by the fact that he was white in the Hispanic neighborhood, wore a bulletproof vest and had his badge on his belt.

On the videotaped confession, Delgado admits that Strouse told him he was a cop but thought it was a ruse by a rival gang member.

Lisco argued that Delgado believed he was in fear for his life from the rival La Raza street gang after they had threatened Ambrose before the shooting.

But Hehner and fellow prosecutor Brian Sexton said Delgado fired at Strouse in the alley before he had a chance to shoot and was walking toward the officer. Delgado, who had been in the gang for about a month, wanted to prove himself to his fellow gang members, the prosecutors said.

Jurors began deliberating at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday after the five-day trial. About 9 p.m., jurors asked Judge Thomas Sumner what circumstances would constitute mitigating circumstances for second-degree murder. The judge told the jury to continue deliberating. A verdict was announced about 9:20 p.m.

"[The verdict] shows support for law enforcement," Sexton said. "People are sick of this gang problem."

Strouse's partner and mentor, Detective Carlos Iglesias, said the jury's decision would provide some closure. "I lost a very good friend out of this," he said. "I was concerned whether the gang-bangers would feel they could get away with shooting a police officer."

[JustPiper]

From Wednesday's Times

Durbin stalls O'Hare worker's deportation

September 17, 2003

BY LUCIO GUERRERO Staff Reporter




A Mexican airport worker who was going to be deported this week will be able to stay in the United States for an undetermined amount of time, after legislative action in Washington.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) introduced a "private relief bill" on behalf of Elvira Arellano, a 28-year-old single mother who cleaned empty planes at O'Hare Airport. Federal agents did a sweep of the airport in December as part of a nationwide probe to find out if terrorists had illegally obtained clearance to airplanes after Sept. 11.

Almost all of those rounded up were illegal Mexican laborers, not al-Qaida operatives.

"She was a small fry in all of this that should have never been caught up in this national security dragnet," said Joshua Hoyt, executive director of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, who have been lobbying on Arellano's behalf.

The introduction of the bill automatically delays the deportation until the Department of Homeland Security produces a report on the matter.

[At _War_With_Liberals]

"progressive way to deal with the many problems associated with illegal border crossings"


So illegals won't be considered criminals as long as they are 'working toward' these goals?

There is nothing in this bill to limit I I.

[tkathy]

Who hires these people? Do they have sense of how they are destroying the country? Why don't they make an effort to hire welfare people, etc.? I don't get it.

[4Freedom]

Liberals don't want fewer Americans collecting Welfare, because they found jobs. The former Welfare workers might get it in their heads that high taxes and big spending Liberals are no longer in their best interests.

What Liberal Democrat or RINO would want that?

[Feckless]

[m1-lightning]

Dick Durbin... he's my buddy. ;)

[moehoward]

"They are taking jobs that a lot of Americans don't want.''

I am amazed that this tired, dog-eared, old lie is still repeated. Every single US citizen at some point has held one of these "jobs".
While I was a teenager I worked at a restaurant washing dishes after school, eventually working as a cook. During summers pretty much everyone helped local farmers at various tasks.

Today every one of these jobs is held by an Illegal Alien.

Now, it's important to understand that once these jobs are taken by a non-English speaking workforce, it is very difficult to get anyone else to apply.
The brave soul that does is met with a hostile workplace where everyone speaks a foreign language.

"They are taking jobs that a lot of Americans don't want.'' BULL
Once they TAKE the jobs, Americans are not wanted.

[gubamyster]

ping

[flamefront]

"With this legislation, we have worked hard to find a practical and progressive way to deal with the many problems associated with illegal border crossings and the need to find workers to fill positions no domestic worker is willing to take,"

Key word, progressive, imprimatur betraying Third Way political movement.

Anything but progressive.

[SAMWolf]

Once they TAKE the jobs, Americans are not wanted

Amen.