Posted on 03/08/2002 1:24:33 PM PST by sarcasm
Friday, March 08, 2002 - WASHINGTON - Rep. Tom Tancredo takes credit for thwarting the Bush administration's last effort to offer partial amnesty to thousands of illegal residents, but Thursday the outspoken immigration foe said he may have been outmaneuvered by the White House.
President Bush has struck a deal with the House leadership to place legislation that offers an extension of amnesty on its consent calendar before Bush heads to Mexico for a state visit next week, the Colorado Republican said. That action should ensure quick House passage of legislation that Bush has repeatedly sought from Congress. It would allow an undocumented person to receive legal standing, such as a valid green card, by filing a declaration with the Immigration and Naturalization Service. It presumably also would require the person to have been in the United States by a certain date and have filed a declaration with the INS from an appropriate sponsor, such as a relative or employer, and pay a $1,000 penalty. "The terms are still up in the air," said Dan Stein, executive director of the Federation for American Immigration, a group that has been allied with Tancredo. "We've heard to the effect that the president wants something to bring down to Mexico." The initial Bush proposal, designed exclusively for Mexicans, once was high on the president's legislative wish list, but it was delayed after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11. However, as the president noted Wednesday in a speech to the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, he now is pushing for the extension of the amnesty program known by the section of immigration law that covers it, Section 245I. The president hailed it as a way to reunite family, separated by the border. "If you believe in family values, if you understand the worth of family and the importance of family, let's get 245I out of the United States Congress and give me a chance to sign it," Bush told the chamber members. Tancredo, the head of a congressional caucus on immigration issues and proponent of halting virtually all immigration, said he had blocked a previous attempt by Bush to push an extension of the amnesty program through the House. But this time, he said House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., had agreed to place the issue on the suspension, or consent, calendar, making it difficult to defeat the proposal. The Senate might be more favorable to the bill than the House, expanding the numbers of individuals who can apply, Tancredo said.
The more frightened the administration and GOP are the better I feel. They are an arrogant bunch much in need of a humbling defeat. The Lion has just begun to roar.
This shows just how pliable most congressmen are. Few will ever stand up to vested interests on principle alone. They have to be threatened these days to do the right thing. With this as a given we have to all do our part in lobbying these jellyfish into towing the line of the people that put them in office to begin with.
From my travels on the web NumbersUSA is the best immigration reform group out there. They have a wealth of information on their website and their fax-blasting center is top notch...when it is up. Glad to hear that NumbersUSA has some clout on capitol hill.
Thanks for the report on Tancredo's interview tonight Vallandigham. The guy is a true patriot. I'd give anything to see Tom run for president in 04.
I am then going to write Bush and my two congresscritters. Bush said in an article dated March 15th that "I don't think the wish of Americans is for an amnesty."
He also said that "he hoped to work with Mexico on the matter, but said he would follow the will of the U.S. people."
Lets make sure he follows the will of the American people.
Click here for the entire story -- "Bush says he won't legalize immigrants."
I intend to hold Bush's feet to the fire on this one. This is also excellent fodder to send to your congresscritters telling them that if they pursue this amnesty insanity, it will likely translate into a loss of a vote for them.
We have enough data and quotes on this thread alone to hit these people broadside and sink their amnesty ship. LETS DO IT!!
NO the Lion WILL ROAR on election day........We can not be like the African Americans and whine about something and then FORGET at election time
Did you know that MY Congressman Jack Quinn was totally responsible for making illegals legal?? His vote and His vote ALONE did it..I will not forget it!
And I thought this was all about not separating families..at least that is what Dick Armey told us. Silly me...Lying traitors..
This is good news and bad news. The good news is, we're being heard. The bad news is, they're not getting the message, but rather, are "panicking that it might be defeated"!!! HELLO? White House, instead of "panicking that it might be defeated," why don't you do the will of the people?!
My congressman, Pete Sessions voted NAY on 245(i). He carries an A+ rating on immigration while Gramm and Hutchinson are in the D to D- category.
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