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.
Nothing makes this guy happy.
you are wrong about Tancredo. He's our guy, conservative and the one of few long voices on immigration law enforcement.
Really, I'm wrong about tancredo? I ain't the one making pelosi/chavez rhtorical like staements, tom tancredo is, IMO.
He may be your guy but since many, including me, consider this guy another "look at me" media hound, he is not "our" guy.
Then move to Littleton, CO(where tancredo's district is) becuase he like mccain will probably never be on a national Presidential ballot.
Oh BTW, you do know he reneged on his promise to only serve 3 US House terms.
I just think Tancredo is a principled guy. He's one of the few in congress who are not caving just to get some sort of a bill passed. I admire that.
Who trusts Bush on border security? Why is this newsworthy?
I don't trust Bush to secure the border, either.
I wonder why?
Inquiring minds want to know.
Maybe because Bush has FAILED to secure the border FIVE YEARS AFTER 9-11????
Thanks Tancredo. The President and the Republican start gaining momentum for the mid-terms and you pick now to express these views. Great. Keep it up. You'll be in the minority party before you know it.
Figures, great thing Newt's contract was. Now we get to keep all the losers.
I'm sorry. When did Tom Tancredo get moved to the "He's an idiot, just disregard everything he says" list? Somehow I didn't that memo.
Tommy best shut up or he can figure on standing down for 2008. There is a time to fight and a time to do, this is DO time. He can go back to his whining AFTER the election.
IOW, you admire bombastic demagogery, ala elmer gantry.
tancredo continues to cross the line.
He could be a good guy but he's reading too much of his own press clippings.
He's only getting ink right now because he's against Bush..get that through your thick head Tom.
I do, and I guess with your above reply you would rather have hillary billy jefferson clinton in charge, ala your hero, tom tancredo.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.