http://www.dontspeakforme.org
Posted on 06/26/2006 3:34:14 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
MILWAUKEE (AP) -- The nation's oldest Hispanic rights group scheduled numerous speakers - both Democrat and Republican - for its annual convention, but one sought-after name is missing from the agenda.
The League of United Latin American Citizens says it wants to hear from U.S. Rep. James Sensenbrennner on why he proposed a bill that would make it a felony to be in the U.S. illegally and, among other things, build a 700-mile fence along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Sensenbrenner, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, has not accepted any of its invitations, says the group, which this week is holding its annual convention in Milwaukee, the Republican's backyard.
More than 10,000 people are expected at the convention, which begins Monday evening and wraps up Saturday. The week's programs include sessions on immigration, Hispanics and business, and health care.
Speakers include House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., Ken Mehlman, chairman of the Republican National Committee, and Howard Dean, chairman of the Democratic National Committee.
Sensenbrenner told representatives of the group that he has votes scheduled in Washington through Friday and constituent business on Saturday, said Jeff Lungren, a spokesman for Sensenbrenner and the House Judiciary Committee.
"Therefore, when deciding between serving the constituents that elected him or giving a speech to a special-interest group, U.S. Rep. Sensenbrenner will choose his constituents every time," Lungren said.
LULAC has been using the proximity of its convention to the home district of Sensenbrenner, nearby Menomonee Falls, to call attention to his proposals. On Sunday night, about five members of the group, including the executive director, attended a town hall meeting held by Sensenbrenner in the Milwaukee suburb of Thiensville, said Gabriela Lemus, director of policy and legislation for LULAC.
She said Sensenbrenner, like several other lawmakers associated with the measure, changed topics when asked by LULAC members about his immigration proposals.
Lemus said the selection of Milwaukee for the convention had nothing to do with Sensenbrenner. The group last held a national convention in Milwaukee decades ago, she said.
LULAC National President Hector Flores said Sensenbrenner needs to allow more voices into the debate to help solve the nation's immigration system.
"If U.S. Rep. Sensenbrenner were serious about addressing the issue of comprehensive immigration reform, he would draft policy that attempts to address the root of the problem, which is a broken immigration system that is so outdated and unworkable, it encourages illegal immigration," Flores said in a news release.
Both the House and Senate have passed immigration bills. The House version, with Sensenbrenner as a main sponsor, focused on enforcement. A measure passed by the Senate would provide the opportunity for some illegal immigrants to gain legal status. House Republican leaders this week are holding hearings on immigration. They hope by the end of the year to send a border security bill to President Bush.
Lemus said, if anything, LULAC should thank Sensenbrenner for helping mobilize the movement and bring unity to the various Hispanic groups.
Groups like LULAC and National Council of La Raza - which holds its convention in a few weeks in Los Angeles - can advance the movement by building on the momentum from earlier marches, which saw more than a million people participate throughout the country, said Marcelo Suarez-Orozco, director of immigration studies at New York University.
"Immigration for our country today is too serious an issue to leave it to politicians," Suarez-Orozco said. "We really need, as citizens of our country, to engage our voice in this topic."
Interesting,
We agree on something.
But I doubt we'd agree on what should follow.
Your man Tancredo would get 0.8%.
Did you hear about Lupe the leaf-blower? They put him on the path today. Funny thing, Lupe's 7 year old child will be voting before Lupe gets the right to vote.
Yo Dane. La Raza (the race) is waiting for your keynote speech.
I'm not in favor of amnesties, either.
What are you suggesting the GOP do then, keep the borders wide open while dishing out amnesties? Do you sincerely believe if they did that Lupe the leaf-blower's son will vote for a GOP candidate when he grows up? Obviously Mehlman does, thankfully for the sake of the rule of law and the country's future Sensenbrenner and the House doesn't.
What are you suggesting the GOP do, spit on the mexicans?
Zoykes!
That's kind of telling you would put it in such a manner.
Politicians should try to reach that vote as they have any other group. It can be done without leaving the borders open and constantly giving amnesties. Sounds to me as if they're looking for the easy way out, let them work for those votes, the old fashioned way.
Perhaps you have heard the phrase, "turd world cesspool". Or how all mexicans are murderers/rapists and carry disease.
The problem is assimilation, there's too many coming in too fast. The Irish were treated the same way when they first got here. The borders need to be closed to anymore illegals while the new legal immigrants are given time to become Americans. It's going to take at least a generation or two.
Do the mexicans support what is best for America? or what is best for Mexicans?
You can let them in as new citizens, guest workers, illegals, or any combination there-of.
Sorry, if you want assimilation and the new group to be accepted into the mainstream quicker it's going to require a scaling back of the numbers as has been done in the past. It sounds as if you just want a never-ending stream of cheap labor pouring in.
If you wish, you may ignore the demographic realities.
"Yo Dane. La Raza (the race) is waiting for your keynote speech."
"Yo, Dane, you're needed in Wisconsin."
Apparently no one likes his McLame thoughts.
Congressman Sensenbrenner is an awesome man and is right in step with the majority of Americans on the issue of border control and illegal immigration. LULAC is a fringe radical socialistic group and nothing he would say there would make a different to anyone anyway. The fact that their group thinks it's wrong for those in this country illegally to be considered criminal shows how out of touch they are with reality, not to mention the American people. Sensenbrenner has it right.
What does demographic realities have to do with anything? You want the borders left open for economic reasons and to keep the GOP in power along the way you suggest they pander and give amnesties. I feel as if I'm reading the Wall St. Journal here.
The US has been a country for 200 years and we have an immigration history. It works when there's a timeout from massive flows. Keeping the borders wide open with endless pandering to those who are pouring is a recipe for disaster.
Since this is a Sensenbrenner thread I'll point out that thankfully he gets it.
You sound like a member of LULAC.
Because it's our country and we get to make the rules!
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