Posted on 09/22/2006 7:43:18 AM PDT by Dane
Tancredo: 'I Don't Trust the President' on Border Security By Kevin Mooney CNSNews.com Staff Writer September 22, 2006
(CNSNews.com) - An immigration compromise plan will not work, because President Bush cannot be trusted to "certify" America's borders are secure, Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-Colo.) said Thursday.
In an effort to reconcile the divergent immigration bills in the House and Senate, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) and Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) put forth a compromise plan this summer that would require the president to "certify" the successful implementation of security measures along the most porous entry points into the U.S. before a guest worker program could be implemented.
"I don't trust the president to say the borders are secure," Tancredo told an audience at the Heritage Foundation in Washington, D.C. He said immigration policy should be formulated with an emphasis on law enforcement as opposed to "political pandering" for votes. Tancredo also cited a "disconnect" between "elite policy makers" and the American people.
This week, the Senate is considering House legislation that would authorize the construction of 700 miles of reinforced fencing along the most porous sections of America's southwestern border.
Additional measures passed by the House Thursday impose criminal penalties on the construction and financing of border tunnels and provide for expedited removal of criminal aliens. The legislation also "reaffirms the authority" of state and local police to enforce federal immigration laws.
Should the Senate fail to act on border enforcement legislation, Tancredo sees grassroots efforts and citizen activism on the local level as a viable alternative. He would like to see citizen support for strict local laws against illegal immigration and support for pro-enforcement officials at the local level.
Tancredo pointed to a local ordinance in Hazelton, Pa., as an example of the kind of legislation local officials could enact. The ordinance imposes fines and penalties on landlords who rent to illegal aliens and on businesses who hire them.
Similar measures have also passed in other parts of Pennsylvania and in Riverside, N.J.
Tancredo took issue with some conservative strategists - such as Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform - who feel that a push for stringent immigration policies could hurt the Republican Party politically.
"I don't buy it," Tancredo said. "By saying we should be a nation of laws, we will gain votes."
As evidence, Tancredo pointed to Proposition 200 in Arizona, which requires government employees to verify the immigration status of people applying for benefits. Tancredo noted that law was enacted with support from 47 percent of the state's Hispanics.
Actually, they have brought the politics of the issue to the point where the house and senate are ready to pass enforcement first bills despite the concerted opposition of the entire dem party and 90% of the power brokers in the rep party. I'd say that they have gotten somewhere, with Tom being entitled to a lion's share of the credit.
As to your other points, of course a party is a coalition and does a bunch of stuff. Some are more important. Some are less important. It's my opinion, this is one of the three or four key issues today. Tom has helped save the republican party from it's short-sighted money interests.
He's against amnesty and you know it; what good is your agenda if you have to lie about it?
By your thinking then, anyone who doesn't trust President Bush on border security doesn't trust him on any other issue?
"All or nothing"? Sorry Howlin, not buying it today. Or tomorrow. Or in November.
Why is that ugly, ulgy, yet those on you who hang out on these threads call anybody who doesn't march in lockstep with your "Open Border Lovers?"
Can you explain that to me???
If so few people regard illegal immigration as an important problem, why waste your time even posting on this topic? We're a tiny, insignificant minority, right?
I trust the President to do what he says he will do. This is not the President saying he will "certify" the borders security. This is a bill saying the President will "certify" the borders security before instituting a "guest worker" program.
If the President says he WILL certify the borders security, I trust the President, this one at least, to do so.
Do I agree with all the Presidents immigration policies? No.
Do I trust him to do what he says he will do? Yes.
Uh, a very loud and irrational minority, (i.e tom tancredo acting like jesse jackson and al sharpton, IMO).
Are you new to these threads? Most of the posters on these threads despise George W. Bush.
And anybody with eyes can see Tancredo has NO OTHER ISSUE.
Because the lies bother me, that's why. It makes FR look foolish.
Thank you for a most excellent and fair post!
Which "lies" do you mean?
"Are you new to these threads?
Most of the posters on these threads despise President Bush."
No.
That's not true. He "walks like John Wayne" on every other issue. But on this issue, he walks behind Vincente Fox.
He is your guy and he is trying to see to it that the Democrats get elected. That way you can have the problem cured by making sure all Mexican Citizens are free to legally travel and live any where in the USA.
Any one who things that the Democrats are going to make it better for your side a couple of french fries short of a happy meal.... served of course by a MEXICAN.
The Choice is Bush or the Democrats.. and Tancredo has chosen the Democrats.
The gall, expecting the president to do his job. /sarcasm
It's statements like that that are why you all are summarily dismissed.
Sorry, not playing.
Find somebody else to recite your talking points to.
And you are behind Vicente watching him swaggering" to make that obvesation, correct.
And you are behind Vicente watching him swaggering" to make that obvesation, correct.
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2006/04/02/2003300532
1.3 billion Chinese and the blonde sharp-shooter are all wrong?
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