Comments from Congressional Immigration Reform Caucus on Minutemen

Congressional Immigration Reform Caucus ^ | Apr. 27, 2005 | Carlos Espinosa

[madfly]

WASHINGTON, D.C. – From today’s Congressional Immigration Reform Caucus (CIRC) meeting with the Minutemen:

 

“I would like to thank the Minutemen on behalf of the millions of Americans who can’t be here with you today.  You have the courage to say to the government of the United States, ‘Do your duty! Protect our borders! Protect our communities! Protect our families! Protect our jobs!’  You are good citizens who ask only that our laws be enforced. When did that become such a radical idea?” said Congressman Tom Tancredo (CO-06), Chairman of Congressional Immigration Reform Caucus.

 

“Our outdated immigration laws are no longer enough to secure our homeland in a post 9-11 world.  In order to protect Americans, Congress must immediately secure our borders by passing tough, updated immigration legislation.  Congress has already taken an important step forward by tightening asylum loopholes and increasing drivers license standards but more is clearly needed,” said Conference Secretary John T. Doolittle (CA-04).  “I applaud the law-abiding Minutemen Project volunteers for exercising their rights as they seek to draw attention to our nation’s porous Mexican border.”

 

Congressman Lamar Smith (TX-21) said, “When the federal government fails to do its job, we should not be surprised when law abiding citizens want to protect their property and our borders.”

 

Congressman Scott Garrett (NJ-05) said, “We have taken many steps to tighten border security and immigration procedures in the last three years, but there is still much work to be done to keep America safe.  This project is helping to keep national attention focused on the need for effective border security and immigration reforms.”

 

“What the Minutemen proved to the American people was this: the federal government can do something about illegal immigration other than to raise a white flag and surrender to the invasion.  Now it is up to every American to get involved in this critical struggle to preserve our security and our sovereignty by demanding that this administration and this Congress stop thinking about amnesty and start enforcing our immigration laws,” said Congressman J.D. Hayworth (AZ-05).

 

Congressman Phil Gingrey (GA-11) said, “The Minuteman Project is a shining example of how community initiative and involvement can help make America a safer, better place to live. These brave men and women are standing up for our security, defending America from the illegal immigrants who are crossing our borders by the millions.  As a proud member of the Immigration Reform Caucus, I encourage other citizens to support this cause and defend our nation.”

 

Congressman Virgil Goode (VA-05) said, “I salute the Minutemen for assisting in a task which the government should be doing. They recognize the necessity of stopping illegal immigration. I hope that the President and a majority of the House and Senate will recognize that border security should be a top priority. I hope that they will support the legislation to authorize the use of U. S. troops on our border in peacetime to help with border security as needed.”

 

“The federal government has not done its job in securing and protecting our borders.  There are over 10 million illegal immigrants in this country, most of whom cross the Mexican border at a rate of about 16,000 per week,” said Congressman Walter Jones (NC-03).  “My home state of North Carolina ranks 8^th in the nation for its illegal immigrant population of over 300,000.  These kinds of numbers do not come without a price to the American people.  It is estimated that illegal immigrants account for annual costs of $4 billion in healthcare, $7 ½ billion in education, and almost another billion for federal prisons.  It is true that we are a nation of immigrants, and that is what makes America great.  But for the security and protection of all our citizens, we have to demand that those wanting to come here do so through proper, legal channels.  It is time the federal government steps up to the plate to defend our borders so that private citizens like those here today don't have to.”

 

Congressman Tom Price (GA-06) said, “The Minutemen truly are the nation's most successful neighborhood watch program.  America is fortunate that so many citizens are willing to dedicate their time and energy to this effort.  Their work should serve as a wakeup call to all those in Washington who've opposed our effort to strengthen our immigration and border policies and enforcement.”

 

“I hope the Minutemen Project has raised awareness around the country for the need to reform our seriously flawed immigration system.  Illegal immigration adversely impacts our job market, our education system and health care costs.  Hard working American taxpayers are being forced to shoulder that burden placed on society.  There is a right way to enter our country and a wrong way,” said Congressman J. Gresham Barrett (SC-03).  “The Minutemen Project volunteers understand that we can no longer stick our head in the sand.  We cannot go back to a pre-9/11 mentality that immigration concerns are not a matter of national security.  And let’s be clear, illegal immigration exposes us on a daily basis to an increased risk of another terrorist attack.  The times in which we live today demand that matters of national security deserve more than political correctness.”

 

- END -

[madfly]

MMP Ping

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

Thanks
Some get it.
Too few get it.

[B4Ranch]

Congressman Tom Tancredo (CO-06), Chairman of Congressional Immigration Reform Caucus.
Conference Secretary John T. Doolittle (CA-04).
Congressman Lamar Smith (TX-21)
Congressman Scott Garrett (NJ-05)
Congressman J.D. Hayworth (AZ-05).
Congressman Phil Gingrey (GA-11)
Congngressman Virgil Goode (VA-05)
Congressman Walter Jones (NC-03).
Congressman Tom Price (GA-06)
Congressman J. Gresham Barrett (SC-03).

Here's 10 legislators who understand what the Minutemen Project is about. Well they continually vote for us or ride the fence when things get tough?

[yobid]

Blah blah blah.........shut up and do something already Congressmen. We should put their hot air on the border. That would do the trick.

[B4Ranch]

>>do something<<

Now that's asking just a bit more than any legislator thinks they is required of them. Calm down and understand re-election, oops I mean reality.

[JesseJane]

“What the Minutemen proved to the American people was this: the federal government can do something about illegal immigration other than to raise a white flag and surrender to the invasion. Now it is up to every American to get involved in this critical struggle to preserve our security and our sovereignty by demanding that this administration and this Congress stop thinking about amnesty and start enforcing our immigration laws,” said Congressman J.D. Hayworth (AZ-05).

Thank you Congressman Hayworth. EVERY AMERICAN TO GET INVOLVED.

[yobid]

Yeah I know. I was venting. I really don't expect these over paid windbags to actually do something. Like the minutemen, we'll soon have to take matters into our own hands. I do respect Tancredo though. At least he has balls.

[TLI]

Yeah I know. I was venting. I really don't expect these over paid windbags to actually do something. Like the minutemen, we'll soon have to take matters into our own hands.

Initially, yes. But it wasn't all that hard. Got to meet a bunch of great people too!

[B4Ranch]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1393664/posts?page=5#5

[moehoward]

bumperoo

[La Enchiladita]

We should put their hot air on the border. That would do the trick.

First, feed them some nachos.

[La Enchiladita]

Tancredo was the only one of this sorry bunch who supported the Minutemen BEFOREHAND. 'Nuf said.

[citizen]

bttt for later

[madfly]

BTTT

[JesseJane]

You know I'm curious now about the phrase illegal IMMIGRANT. Are they IMMIGRANTS if they do not seek citizenship? They are ALIENS. Illegal ALIENS.

[arnoldpalmerfan]

Cong. Tancredo once again demonstrated the courage to stand for what is right.

[arnoldpalmerfan]

Illegal aliens should always be called illegal aliens. They should never be referred to any other way.

[arnoldpalmerfan]

I am very glad that you posted this information.

[MissAmericanPie]

The politicians listed come from states that have been deeply effected by illegals. Texas, aka, Northern Mexico, North and South Carolina, are very much effected by illegals, and not just Mexican illegals. I'm not sure about Nevada's illegal population, but I'm glad to see a few politicians finally come forward in support of the Minute Men Project.

They sure won't hear praise from Bush the globalist, or the Demonrat Party.