Rep. Tom Tancredo’s Four-Point Plan for Immigration Control

The Congressional Immigration Reform Caucus ^

[Happy2BMe]

Rep. Tom Tancredo’s Four-Point Plan for Immigration Control

The United States has lost control over its immigration policy. Over one million persons enter our nation illegally each year and we have antiquated and error-prone systems for knowing who our legal visitors are and for enforcing their visa time limits. Every poll shows that over 75% of citizens support border security and strict enforcement of our immigration laws. They want our immigration policies fixed. Here is my four-point plan for achieving control of our borders and enforcing sensible immigration policies.

1. Secure our Nation’s Borders

• Increase Border Patrol manpower from the present 11,500 to 20,000 (HR 3534).

• Use the U.S. Military until the Border Patrol reaches that manpower level (HR 277).
• Accelerate the use of new technology and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to identify and help apprehend smugglers and trespassers.
• Double the capacity of the detention centers for apprehended trespassers.
• End the “catch and release” policy by instituting fines and jail time for repeat offenders.
• Require stiff prison sentences for convicted “coyotes” and felons who return to the U.S. after deportation.
• Accelerate the implementation of the “USVISIT” biometric identifier program for all foreign nationals entering the country through our ports of entry.

2. Establish a Genuine Guest Worker Program

• Enact a genuine Guest Worker Bill (HR 3534) to allow any foreign national to enter the US legally to work for up to one year in a job that cannot be filled by a citizen.
• Require employers to advertise all jobs on an internet bulletin board and for two weeks before hiring a Guest Worker.
• Require illegal aliens already in the U.S. to first return home and apply for jobs through the legal processes.

3. Improve “Interior Enforcement” of Immigration Laws

• Provide adequate resources to the “Detention and Removal” branch of the Bureau of Customs and Immigration Enforcement (BICE) to allow apprehension and removal of all criminal aliens.
• Enact the “CLEAR” Act (HR 2671) to give local law enforcement incentives and reimbursements for participating in immigration law enforcement.
• Establish stiff fines and tax penalties for employers who violate the law by hiring illegal aliens, and devote adequate resources to identify and prosecute those employers.

4. Remove Incentives for Illegal Immigration

• Employers who hire illegal aliens should face stiff fines and tax penalties (see#2 above).
• Federal and State agencies should be prohibited from recognizing the Mexican Government’s “Matricula Consular” ID card.
• States that grant driver’s licenses to illegal aliens should suffer loss of federal highway funds.
• Children born to illegal aliens should not be given citizenship status (HR 1567).
• Federal court rulings and other policies that require health and educational services to illegal aliens should be overturned.
• Amend Social Security Act to deny credits for wages earned in illegal employment or to self-employed engaged in illegal activities (HR 1631).
• Insist that the Government of Mexico extradite felony criminals who retreat into Mexico.
• Encourage the Government of Mexico to repeal its Dual Citizenship law.

[Happy2BMe]

Mexican Army Incursions Into The United States

[gatorbait]

Fitz,not a bad idea. Let's see if it takes wing.

[international american]

"When Rep. Tancredo sent a letter to the Mexican government, the Embassy in Washington, DC sent a curt response to his inquiry, implying that the troops were merely getting lost. Not a single U.S. law enforcement agent on the ground in the southwest has agreed with that explanation."

ROTFLMAO! If the Embassy is going to lie, at least make it plausible!!

[motzman]

You would have to change the Constitution of the United States which states that any child born in the U.S. is an American citizen. (Not that I am against what you said.)

You're wrong. Don't worry, you have a lot of company!

[motzman]

If you were born in the United States but your parents were foreign diplomats (on assignment in the United States from another country) at the time of your birth, you are not a United States citizen.

[TheDon]

Nice to have some alternate proposals to President Bush's proposed solution to the illegal alien problem. It seems rather obvious that this is how President Bush wants the solution to be implemented. He has provided a proposal, and now it is up to the Congress to debate the issue and come up with legislation.

[B4Ranch]

Require illegal aliens already in the U.S. to first return home and apply for jobs through the legal processes.

Provide adequate resources to the “Detention and Removal” branch of the Bureau of Customs and Immigration Enforcement (BICE) to allow apprehension and removal of all criminal aliens.

Is there a difference between illegal aliens and criminal aliens. ?

[WRhine]

Tancredo's overall vision for migration is for a reduced influx. Bush's approach is pure pander, throwing open the nation to far higer migration levels, just for the chance of narrowing his losing margins among Hispanic voters.

I have the same take on Tancredo's proposal but would hope that the end objective is for a net outflow of Illegals--not a reduced influx. Also, like FITZ's idea of recruiting inner city kids to fill those Guest Worker jobs. Charity starts at home and it’s about time our government puts the interests of American Citizens and Legal Residents ahead of Foreign Nationals.

[Consort]

Tancredo has some good ideas, but they are based on the assumptions that illegals will leave on their own or be deported — I don't think so; or that a Constitutional Amendment or major controversial legislation will be passed in our lifetimes, if at all — I don't think so; or that there will be the needed bipartisan support to make it happen — I don't think so.

Since everybody has a plan, here's mine:

1. Do not exceed the bottom line for allotted number of immigrants entering the US:
Decrease the number of legal immigrants by subtracting the estimated number of illegal immigrants annually. The bottom line is maintained. Both political parties can agree.

2. Amnesties can be handled in the same way at no increase in the size/cost of government:
If ten million illegal immigrants are given amnesty, decrease legal immigration across the board by ten million. Potential immigrants from France, Somolia, Paraguay, Uganda, Holland, Zimbabwe, Haiti, Lappland, etc will have to wait longer or miss out completely. The affected countries can argue it out with the offending countries with little or no US involvement. Both political parties can agree. Lawyers may be the big losers.

3. Border control:
Fast track border control to seriously reduce illegal immigration and minimize the need for future amnesties. If necessary, add a military (guard) component to the Dept. of Homeland Security. To keep down the cost, consider rotating, via detail or TAD, selected active military/reserve/guard units to that agency as necessary under the heading of "border control training". Any additional costs incurred may be offset after implementing Steps 1 and 2 above.

[Happy2BMe]

"Everyone screaming about his guest worker proposal is completely ignoring that part of his statement."

It's been three years. The migrant invasion is stronger than it was in January, 2001.

That is not progress, it is digression.

[MainFrame65]

There is also a time limit that states have to approve it.

This is only true if the proposed amendment provides for it. The 27th amendment, regarding legislative compensation, had no such limit. It was actually passed to the states for ratification along with the original Bill of Rights, in 1789. It sat in limbo for many years before final ratification in 1992. There are several more amendments in such a suspended state. They continue to await approval by 3/4 of the states (38), and they will not go away... without a Constitutional Amendment.

[Tamzee]

It's been three years? Sorry, it hasn't even been three weeks since he made that statement about cracking down on employers. He even began this prior to his proposal, it's voluntary now but the structure is being put into place.

"President Bush signs workplace verification bill to prevent hiring of illegal aliens"

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1037329/posts



As far as Bush having been in office three years so far, of course... obviously Bush has been sitting in the hot tub, watching soaps and eating bon-bons.

[Happy2BMe]

The migrant invasion has negatively impacted the U.S. economy every bit as much as 9/11.

Why wait so long to bring it up?

[Happy2BMe]

Fascinating.

[american spirit]

I think his plan is missing a key element....that is ceasing all forms of welfare style assistance to these people except for emergencies. This is key to forcing employers to offer a livable wage to everyone, not just illegals. As long as most employers know that the taxpayers will be socked with supplementing their workers living expenses wages will continue to be very low and probably heading lower.

[Liberty Valance]

How far do you think Tancredo's plan will go if Bush isn't re-elected?

[Happy2BMe]

"As long as most employers know that the taxpayers will be socked with supplementing their workers living expenses wages will continue to be very low and probably heading lower."

And you can take that to the bank. The wages of Americans are going down, the wages of Mexicans are going up, and when they level off, the border between Mexico and the United States will have ceased to exist.

[sinkspur]

The Constitution will be amended either in Bush's administration or in the next administration (whoever that might be).

Uh, no it won't. There's even some doubt as to whether 38 states would pass a Constitutional Amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman.

There are lots of far righties who don't want ANY additional amendments to the Constitution.

[archy]

The migrant invasion has negatively impacted the U.S. economy every bit as much as 9/11.

Why wait so long to bring it up?

Oh I have faith in the Bush's fellow globalist Democrats. I'm sure they could make it even worse.

[MainFrame65]

Actually, there is little difference between them. The President advanced a general outline, not specific legislative proposals, and most of the principles he voiced are similar to the Tancredo proposals. Some of the Tancredo plan is unrealistic. For instance, they SHOULD get driver licenses, but they ought to be different from permanent resident licenses and expire when legal presence does. And returning to Mexico in order to obtain temporary legal status is unworkable. In addition, his border patrol proposal is far too little, and the use of the Army is against the law. And the "year in, year out" will not be tempting enough to stem the flow of illegals.

He needs to stop taking potshots at the President and actually communicate - and collaborate - with him on realistic proposals. One of the most important changes needed is a Constitutional Amendment to prevent automatic citizenship for children of illegal AND TEMPORARY residents, which will likely take years to enact. And it will do nothing about the thousands already here.