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."
If the mental defectives in Washington pass this amnesty, the REST of Mexico will be here. Our laws mean nothing when Mexico's slave labor is involved.
Guess it won't matter anyway, if Bush and his globalist buddies get their way and erase the borders via the CFR and the "North American Union". We're screwed either way.
I've never regretted a vote as much as my vote for GWB in 2000. He is not what he claimed to be.
Send ICE, and lots of paddy wagons, it sounds like a "target rich environment".
Sensenbrenner's "backyard" isn't Milwaukeestan. It's the suburban areas around it.
Strawman argument.
Dane, is that you?
Bump
R O T F L M A O
I am proud he is my congressman.
B U M P
"What are you suggesting the GOP do, spit on the mexicans?"
Well I guess if they want to after they deport them.
LULAC? Try the Chamber of Commerce.
After thinking this over carefully, as a Catholic, I still want the blatant lawbreaking to stop, now. There is no excuse for breaking the law as a matter of life, and it seems those who water down or ignore our law always seem to be the left or liberal republican sellouts.
While you and many others think that if the illegals were to be deported, this inevitability would be avoided. Not so. If you crunch the numbers, deportation will only delay the inevitable.
Likewise, you have no comprehension of the significance of political activity among the hispanics. As you pointed out above, hispanics favor democrats. Historically, turnout among hispanics has been low so the benefit to democrats has been minimized. As you, Tandredo, Senselessbrenner, and other extrmemists try to dehumanize them, the hispanics will organize and turnout in higher numbers, benefitting the dems even more.
So what is your answer then, which you've yet given us? Leave the borders wide open and continue to give more amnesties? I suggested the alternative to that in post #28, please read it.
If the GOP wants that demographic vote they should earn it the way they have with other groups. Leaving the borders open and pandering with more endless amnesties is not the solution for the country's long term health.
Too bad for your cheap labor, open border plans but I and many others don't want to live in a country where we're packed in like sardines and neither should our kids and grandkids be expected to just so your Wall St. Journal friends can increase their profits and stock dividends.
Had President Bush received 0% among Hispanics, he wouldn't have carried Florida, New Mexico, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, or even Texas. John Kerry would have been elected president with 349 electoral votes to only 189 for President Bush.
Bush received only slightly more than the traditional vote of that demographic. My point had to do with the fact that Mehlman and others in the GOP believe if we give amnesties and keep the borders open that percentage can be increased. I disagree.
"Bush received only slightly more than the traditional vote of that demographic."
In 1984 Reagan got 38%+ of that vote by just being himself and promoting conservative ideals. Although the amnesty came two years later there was still strict interior enforcement going on throughout his administration. I agree about not demagoging the issue but it has to be discussed and it shouldn't even begin until the borders are secured. I'm not disagreeing with you so much but with Mehlman and Bush and McCain and others who want to take a different course.
"In 1984 Reagan got 38%+ of that vote by just being himself and promoting conservative ideals."
Maybe but the overwhelming majority of voters are still comprised of other groups and they are not going to take well to amnesty. The best thing the government can do for now is stop the bleeding then begin talking about what to do with those here. That's where Sensenbrenner and the House want to go and I think they're right. Leaving the borders open while pushing for more amnesties as McCain and others are doing is pure insanity.
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