Tancredo doubts he can block amnesty-extension bill

Denver Post ^ | March 8, 2002 | Bill McAllister

[sarcasm]

Friday, March 08, 2002 - WASHINGTON - Rep. Tom Tancredo takes credit for thwarting the Bush administration's last effort to offer partial amnesty to thousands of illegal residents, but Thursday the outspoken immigration foe said he may have been outmaneuvered by the White House.

President Bush has struck a deal with the House leadership to place legislation that offers an extension of amnesty on its consent calendar before Bush heads to Mexico for a state visit next week, the Colorado Republican said.

That action should ensure quick House passage of legislation that Bush has repeatedly sought from Congress. It would allow an undocumented person to receive legal standing, such as a valid green card, by filing a declaration with the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

It presumably also would require the person to have been in the United States by a certain date and have filed a declaration with the INS from an appropriate sponsor, such as a relative or employer, and pay a $1,000 penalty.

"The terms are still up in the air," said Dan Stein, executive director of the Federation for American Immigration, a group that has been allied with Tancredo. "We've heard to the effect that the president wants something to bring down to Mexico."

The initial Bush proposal, designed exclusively for Mexicans, once was high on the president's legislative wish list, but it was delayed after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11. However, as the president noted Wednesday in a speech to the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, he now is pushing for the extension of the amnesty program known by the section of immigration law that covers it, Section 245I.

The president hailed it as a way to reunite family, separated by the border. "If you believe in family values, if you understand the worth of family and the importance of family, let's get 245I out of the United States Congress and give me a chance to sign it," Bush told the chamber members.

Tancredo, the head of a congressional caucus on immigration issues and proponent of halting virtually all immigration, said he had blocked a previous attempt by Bush to push an extension of the amnesty program through the House. But this time, he said House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., had agreed to place the issue on the suspension, or consent, calendar, making it difficult to defeat the proposal.

The Senate might be more favorable to the bill than the House, expanding the numbers of individuals who can apply, Tancredo said.

[flamefront]

So Hugh Hewitt just hung up on me when I called his show to talk about the bill that just passed regarding immigration and why he was not covering it.

Bad move Hugh.

[Egg]

A "NOT VOTING" is on par with a "Yes" vote. What the hay do they think they get sent to D.C. for?!? They will be counted with the enemy barring extreme hardship conditions at the time of this vote.

[EBUCK]

There it is. defazio, GDAMMMITTT!!!!!!!!

I'm going to run that lil c*ck su(ker out of office if it's the last thing I ever do.

EBUCK

[Arizona]

We have got to find a way for this act of treason to be heard in the media.

Don't hold your breath. They COULD have informed the people prior to this travesty but chose not to. Not even FOX. This IS treason and the media is in bed with our elected officials.

[jragan2001]

To help you out, a good place to start boycotting anything would be major chain restaurants that obviously employ illegal aliens at the expense of Americans. For example, I live here in Metro Atlanta (partially occupied) and it is very obvious that many of the big-named restaurants are employing illegals. Just a suggestion my friend.

[spodefly]

The Message:

Immigration Laws That Aren't Really Law ...

Representatives That Don't Really Represent ...

"USA: Flophouse to the world" ®

[FITZ]

conservatives to deny the Republicans any of our money

Conservatives should have remembered better how they tried to deny Reagan time at the microphone during that convention, and how they had Keyes arrested. They'll never have my vote again.

[flamefront]

Can you post a "breaking news" thread pointing to this thread and anyothers related?

This is a day that will live in imfamy.

[Guynethia]

Ah yes, my representative Diane Watson of Los Angeles (a mecca for illegals) voted yea as well!

I've been meaning to learn Spanish anyway. Lord knows, I can't even go to McDonald's anymore without knowing Spanish.

Guynethia,

Future resident of Los Angeles, Atzlan.

[jragan2001]

I am from Georgia and very proud to see that Republican Reps. John Linder, Bob Barr, and Johnny Isakson voted AGAINST 245i and its extension. Unfortunately for the voters in politically opressed DeKalb County, communist sympathizer Cynthia McKinney (D) voted for it. Remember this is the same woman who has been known to go to Cuba and help Fidel Castro pick Sugar Cane Crops.

[healey22]

I am missing something here? I don't see Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the House name on the yea or nay or not voting record.

[majordivit]

One thing we can do is to not contribute money to the republican party. They use the money to promote candidates who legitimize aliens anyway.

[Dane]

At least vote for smaller gubment. Vote LibTar(Libertarian). Just a sugg. don't fly off the handle on me.

Well it looks like the closest thing to a Libertarian in Congress, Ron Paul, voted yes.

LOL! Sheesh you are a political neophyte, that or you are schizophrenic.

[Reaganwuzthebest]

If you mean the Republican Rockefeller establishment, yes they have no mercy on anyone that doesn't toe the party line. Pat Buchanan was crucified by them in '96 when it looked like he was going to win. Maybe conservatives should just break off and form their own party.

[who knows what evil?]

I see the cowadly Van Hilleary chose to abstain from voting on this bill. Why? He actually SUPPORTS this bill, due to his ties with Tennessee agri-business, but KNEW conservatives would bail on him if he voted for it, which would cost him the gubernatorial election in November. Sorry, Van...you will NOT get away with it.

[Helix]

Thanks for the suggestion. ;)

I know of a couple of factories around here that hire anyone who can't speak english and then tell the other workers to "show" them how it's done until they get it.

I'm asking a couple of people I know who work there exactly where their products go so I can avoid them. I know one makes carpet and the other makes cloth.

[WRhine]

The list is up. Come see the traitors. Gekas is not one of them...I was talking to a liar.

[jragan2001]

Great idea for that march my friend. Anyone out there wanting to organize a major mass march on politically oppressed Washington DC, I will be ready to go!!!

[Egg]

Agreed. Always donate to the individual, not the party. That's why FReepers need to pool our resources and get these RINO's out. Sending it to the Pubby Party isn't going to do a lick of good.

[FITZ]

Yes -- and they were the ones behind the lies told about Buchanan. Same people who cut off Reagan's microphone ---and had Keyes picked up and driven around so he couldn't speak at the convention. It wasn't a completely natural coalition anyhow between Conservatives and the Elitists.