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, by pushing to an enforcement first approach, I think he has done a lot to help R's all over the country. The comprehensive plan would have been an electoral disaster.
Jousting with OBL-bots--it's a lot like (what I imagine it must be like) clubbing baby seals, don't you think?
Yeah, they are suppose to not even be here. DUH.
What kills me is that Bush is the first person to TRY to do anything at all and yet you all crucify him.
Why don't you busy your peabrain by finding ONE post where I have indicated I am for open borders.
Find it and post it right here, or forever been known as a liar.
Yet a good number of responses on this thread attempt to convince others that Tom Tancredo is a member of the "Two-Party Cartel." You may share more in common with him than, say, Olympia Snowe but that's the simple fact.
That's a ridiculous claim. Even I, who disagree with Bush on a number of issues, would never call him that.
Just click on your own home-page, `Bush-bot'.
"I don't think any of these people actually trust Bush to protect the Border. But many of them do trust that he won't protect it and that illegal immigration will therefore continue at its rapid pace. That's why they turn immediately to ad hominem, straw men, equivocation, etc when confronted on the topic."
Nail on Head.
Don't listen to the naysayers Tommy; when you're speaking the truth, you should stand up and talk louder!
Well, again it's a matter of perspective. The issue, again, it's so important in my eyes (Immigration policy / Border security) that I give him a pass on this. I know... I know... if we do, then so can everybody else... and so we are back to square one.
Yesterday, on my ride home, I was talking to two people in the car, very nice educated people... one agreed with what Chavez said about the president. I was surprised but then I reminded myself of much I detest the Clintons. There is no questions things (politics) have changed... we are more polarized now than I can remember. I don't know what exactly are the causes, maybe the Internet helps both groups to talk and reinforce their views - like we do here - and therefore we are all less inclined to compromise... again, I don't know, but no question that since Clinton, THINGS HAVE CHANGED!... in that light, I give Tamcredo a pass on his indiscretions toward other Republicans... I think :)
But no worries. I am confident that things will turn out better on this than many expect.
Well, I hope you are right...:)
So you're now saying that being a BushBot makes one an open border lover?
You're a ridiculous little poster, and a liar, to boot.
So you're saying if we don't disparage Bush over this, we're open border lovers?
What a vacuous argument. You must be so proud to display such intellect on a site like this one.
Mom?
You're changing the parameters of our discussion?
We were discussing whether Bush was for amnesty; now you want to talk about why the entire government doesn't do its job? Are you a novice to politics?
He is TRYING to do something, and you all are stabbing him in the back every single step of the way.
Mother, you've been tedious, but now you're just a bore.
Toodles, your everloving Son, tumblin
Check out, "Keep up the good work, Sean!" (Hannity) Posted on 02/17/2005 1:15:24 PM PST by Jim Robinson. "Keep up the good work Sean! If you're taking flak, you're over the target! Bombs Away!"
Didn't you call me a liar for not talking about how the illegal aliens would eventually have to leave when their guest worker status expired? So now I'm addressing your point, and I'm wondering how that would work. If those in charge won't make illegal aliens leave now, how can we expect that they'll make them leave later, after they've been included in a guest worker program?
I've had (and I'm sure you've seen) people accuse me of being an OBL for believing the government should intervene as little as possible in the marketplace. Proof that some folks are simply unable to think rationally about the subject.
Oh BTW, you do know President Bush reneged on his promise to protect the country from invasion?
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