I don't think the Republicans are doing anything but distancing themselves from Tancredo's comments. It is up to the people of his district to decide if that is what they wish to support.
Myself, I rarely pay attention to Mr. Tancredo, and since he is not my representative and I prefer a more diplomatic approach to solving the problem of illegal immigration, I offer my comments with the caveat that I am perhaps slightly unsympathetic to him.
However, I do not like these kinds of hit pieces. I also don't like stupid politics, which is what Tancredo practiced.
For example, if I had made a big name for myself on my immigration stand, the last thing I would do is have any kind of contract work done where there was even the smallest chance that there would be an irregularity. Period. AND I would get some sort of a written statement to protect myself...OR I would wait to have the work done until after the election. In my neck of the woods, I would not have landscaping, roofing, or drywall done unless I could get a written statement from the contractor. Period.
It is quite possible that the contractor is telling the truth and the sources are fictitious. It is also possible that the contractor is lying, having been caught. It is also possible that the contractor has been lied to by employees with fake records.
The contractor could, I suppose, provide evidence of his employees legal status.
Tancredo is not without solutions to this problem, if he is smart enough to think of them.
How does one be diplomatic while enforcing the law? Illegal mexicans are law breakers, they should be deported. Should I call a diplomat first every time I find an illegal?
That would be a good start and if enough of us did it, at least the contractor would know it was coming - but what if the contractor lies. All we hve done is cover our own trail. The law is going to do nothing and we have no recourse against the contractor. I don't expect them to say, "Why yes, I have illegals working for me." Not to be argumentative, just my take on it. We would have to do that everytime we went out to eat, ate any food, etc., We are all contributing. Just knowing the legality or illegality of the worker really does nothing. Until we refuse to have them work, unless we personally, can ascertain their status or until we are willing to not eat, chicken, beef, pork, many veggies that are produced using them, we are really accomplishing nothing. If we would all boycott one item, beef, pork - chicken being my favorite just because I have seen first hand what a chicken producer's illegals can do, nothing, not a thing will happen. They have to be hurt in the pocketbook. That is all they understand - nothing else.
I agree he should have covered himself by asking. Of course, covering himself is all he would be doing, be he should have done that. We don't know for a fact that he did not. Don't count on the newspaper to give us the facts.