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.
" Figures, great thing Newt's contract was. Now we get to keep all the losers."
Kick Newt out, then complain there's no one to enforce his contract. LOL
That would probably take a sledgehammer to achieve, given the meglomaniac calcification tancredo's head has, IMO.
"Elmer Gantry (Burt Lancaster) is a huckster who sells shoeshines and vacuum cleaners. Gantry is lustful, coarse, loud, ambitious, motivated by an easy dollar, golden-tongued, and often drunk."
So, tell us what you really think of Tom Tancredo.
Me neither!... so I hope congress who is listening to our concerns (my side) on securing the border FIRST... keep vigilant of him.
As much as it sickens me to listen to a clasless, clown, sob like Chavez take shots at GWB, I am also concious of the president's failure in handling the border/Illegals the right way.
Name ONE thing Bush has done better than BJ Clinton did with respect to controlling entry of illegals into the country.
PRESIDENT BUSH HAS PROMISED TO SIGN AN ENFORCEMENT ONLY BILL. I don't trust Tancredo, but I like him.
LLS
Who does he think he is? Tancredi is a disruptive
influence...It's me-me-me-me..all the time. Jake
What capital Tom had built with me is now gone. I just happen to trust President Bush more than ANY member of congress.
I'll believe the president when he signs an enforcement only bill and see it actually enforced.
yes, that part there.
Are you Paul Streitz?
See, you can't name even ONE SINGLE THING.
He is interested in having the border as an Issue, so that he can remain in the spotlight and raise funds for his PAC.
It is unacceptable that a Republican would publicly say that he doesn't trust the President. He is free to disagree, but to label the President untrustworthy is simply beyond the pale. Even John McCain hasn't said something this disloyal.
We are in a very serious election season, and Tancredo's comments are not helping in any manner. Pfui on him.
LOL! I guess to you tancredoite DUer's, obstruction of Justice, and perjury by Clinton means nothing.
Oh that's right, a guy named Jose is mowing your neighbors yard. It's the apocalypse I tells ya.
Kick Newt out? As I recall he embarrassed himself in scandal and had to resign.
You (and Tancredo) hit the nail on the head. Tancredo in a sense is quoting Jefferson on Bush, "In questions of power, (and border security) let no more be heard of confidence in men, (specifically Bush) but bind (him) down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution" Thomas Jefferson 1799
I do not trust politicos period!!!!!
What you said in spades!
I don't trust Tancredo around my children.
Or small animals.
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