Free Republic

Friday, July 13, 2007 Washington, D.C. -- This week in Islamabad, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf ordered commandos to assault the Red Mosque after a six-day siege against well-armed Taliban-supporting militants. Less than 24 hours later, Ayman al-Zawahri, Osama bin Laden's apparent successor to the command of al Qaeda, issued his third "Jihadist Exhortation" of the month -- a new record. Meanwhile, here in Washington, more Republicans joined the "get out of Iraq" chorus as Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff described his "gut feeling" that a major terrorist event against us is in the offing. The next day President Bush christened...

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said Thursday that a temporary worker program for migrants who want jobs in the United States and stronger sanctions against employers who knowingly hire undocumented workers are critical to improved border security. Chertoff said the government has "no other choice" but to develop a legal channel that will match willing migrants with U.S. employers in order to relieve the strain on the Border Patrol and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement bureau. House Republicans in particular are bitterly divided on whether border security reforms should include a temporary worker program. "If we don't have a temporary...

Bush administration officials yesterday angered lawmakers by refusing to take a position on illegal aliens obtaining U.S. driver's licenses and avoiding questions about its decision to recognize Mexican identification cards. Officials testifying before the House Select Committee on Homeland Security said they are reviewing what documentation is secure and reliable, but evaded direct questions on the matricula consular cards now accepted by California and New Mexico to obtain driver's licenses. Critics say the cards issued by the Mexican Embassy are easily falsified and used by illegal aliens to establish residency. Stewart Verdery, Homeland Security assistant secretary, was asked directly whether...