Tancredo: 'I Don't Trust the President' on Border Security

CNSNews.com ^ | September 22, 2006 | Kevin Mooney

[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.

[Dane]

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

Huh gee whiz HJA, where does it say in the US Constitution that Jefferson could make the Louisiana purchase?

This is fun.

[Miss Marple]

Here, I will name one single thing:

President Bush actually BROUGHT THE ISSUE UP! Because he did, people started talking about it, the Minutemen got to disagree and point out some troubles on the border, the House got busy, people are paying attention, and we have a Border Security bill about to be passed.

We also have a National Guard presence on the border, catch and release ending, more borrder security agents, and the use of drone aircraft for observation.

Name for me ONE DARN THING that Bill Clinton did!

[GarySpFc]

I would vote for him, and I suspect many other Americans would too, since 80% or so hate illegal immigration.

[Dane]

I would vote for him, and I suspect many other Americans would too, since 80% or so hate illegal immigration.

Move to Littleton, CO then.

Your alls taking points are getting very dated.

[Youngman442002]

Not really they are getting fired up.....on terrorist attack that comes from across the border....we will be able to trace how they got into the county...will decimate Bush and the Republicans.....I am one too....I am also a Minuteman...I leave next week for 10 days of border security.....it is my ONLY issue.....I could give a crap about SOCIAL SECURITY right now....because I won't get any if 20 million more illegals come here

[Howard Jarvis Admirer]

To quote Jim Robinson, "When you're taking flak, (from Dane) you must be over the target." (Or dare I say that Tancredo is HITTING the target) Trusting Bush to protect the border (and American Sovereignty from the New World Order) is like trusting Clinton to be alone around Girl Scouts. Theoretically it is possible - but no one in their right mind would trust them - we know their weaknesses.

[COEXERJ145]

Not really they are getting fired up.....on terrorist attack that comes from across the border....we will be able to trace how they got into the county...will decimate Bush and the Republicans.....

Let me guess. You're one of those who is praying this actually happens.

[tumblindice]

". . . he doesn't trust the president."
No. The thread title says he doesn't trust the president *on border security*.

"President Bush actually brought the issue up!"
He did not bring up the issue of border security. He brought up the issue of amnesty. The Minutemen `put his feet to the fire' on the (what one would think would be a common sense) requirement of `patching the hole before bailing the boat'.

[Dane]

Not really they are getting fired up.....on terrorist attack that comes from across the border....we will be able to trace how they got into the county...will decimate Bush and the Republicans.....I am one too....I am also a Minuteman...

Uh chris simcox Monica, for the record, Canada(the northern US border) probably has 1000 times the # of islamofascists that Mexico does.

[Wallace T.]

For about the same cost as the Big Dig highway tunnels in Boston, the United States can build an effective wall along the border from Brownsville, Texas, to San Diego, California. Such a wall will deter the vast majority of illegal aliens who depress domestic labor markets, especially in the Southwest, and will also make it more difficult for terrorists to enter this country from the Muslim nations. In 1921, the United States sharply decreased the number of immigrants entering the country. As a result, immigrants from Eastern and Southern Europe were isolated from a stream of immigrants who would have reinforced old country habits and loyalties. Resultantly, the immigrants, their children, and grandchildren Americanized rapidly. The same will happen to our Hispanic population if we cut off the flow of immigration.

Regaining control of our borders and stemming the flow of radical Muslim terrorists into our country through border fences and similar tough measures are imperative to the long term safety and welfare of the American people. Both Bushes, Clinton, Reagan, and Carter have all failed in their responsibility in this matter. Thank God for the few brave men like Tom Tancredo who have the courage to call both political parties to task for their failure.

[MNJohnnie]

There is a time to fight and a time to DO, this is DO time and if Tancredo is too politically stupid to know when to rock the boat and when to buckle down and get something done he is too stupid to be President.

And it doesn't matter what all the 1 issue Freepers think, WE,not them, nominate the candidate. It people like ME, not the one issue Fingers who nominate the Republican candidate. When you piss us off you lose the Republican base. It is not enough to fire up the true believers, you have to get people like ME on your side too. If TT cannot see this, he is doomed to never be anything more then a Congress Critter.

Republicans do not reward PR whores. McCain learned this in the last week, Tommy will learn if he doesn't grow up.

[Dane]

For about the same cost as the Big Dig highway tunnels in Boston, the United States can build an effective wall along the border from Brownsville, Texas, to San Diego, California.

LOL! Might as well get Mexican labor, it will save the taxpayers from the American democrat union graft.

[Wallace T.]

The fact that Canada might have more Islamofascists than Mexico does not contradict the necessity for a wall on our southwestern border. However, it does indicate the importance of doing a far better job at crossings in places like Detroit, Sault Ste. Marie, and Buffalo, and increased manpower assigned to checkpoints, even remote and isolated ones in the West.

[ElPatriota]

Assuming what you are saying is true, I THANK you for what you are doing. Now, there IS a reason this issue gained some momentum finally!... By putting the light spot on them, and showing so clearly the hordes of illegals coming across the border, and nothing being done about it, really... the issue finally took off. At the same time, many, even us here in FR, have been very aggressive is echoing the same concerns with the border. Thanks God congress paid attention and slowed down the president's version of amnesty which he was so determined to ram it down our throat's. So I am grateful to anyone.. for any reason who helped stop the president's plans. Sorry, it's not my intent to offend anyone here in FR, but this issue is very important to many of us.

[carlo3b]

WHO ASKED HIM?.. GOOD GAWD.. Tancredo is the Republican version/curse, of a narcissistic, love starved, lonely, Bubba Clinton..

Hey Tancredo, please join McNutt and run for President in 2008 so we can whip your irrelevant a$$ and get you off our radar/TV screen.. :)

[Dane]

The fact that Canada might have more Islamofascists than Mexico does not contradict the necessity for a wall on our southwestern border.

Get back to me when Jose or Pedro hijack a plane and plow it into a building, like mahmood or ali.

[Youngman442002]

Coexer...you didn't listen to the speaches at the UN did you...its going to happen....and we as country are to chicken to do anything about it...but the bright side..it will happen in a mostly Democratic city....and hopefully THEY will finally get it that we are at war....

[Wallace T.]

American citizens of Mexican ancestry and legal immigrants from Mexico are certainly eligible for such jobs. Besides, Texas, and I think Arizona and New Mexico as well, are "right to work" states, so contractors are not forced to use union labor, at least while the GOP is in power.

[Youngman442002]

I just went thru the Canadian border last month...alls they cared about was if I had any Canadian Meds.....LOL

Never checked our ID's or anything..and we had 5 guys in a small mini van....

I want that border secured too...

[standingfirm]

Oh, we could build it alright if we really wanted to. I mean, we sent a man to the moon. What we don't currently have is leadership and the solid will in Washington to actually do the job.