My letters to my Senators and the President regarding immigration legislation

JEFFHEAD.COM ^ | 27 March 2006 | Jeff Head

[Jeff Head]

I have sent the following two letters, one to my senators, and the other to the President regrding illegal immigration and the critical need to face up to it directly, stop the politics, and address the issue from a standpoint of American national security. I urge everyone to letters of their own:

TO MY SENATORS:

Senators Mike Crapo and Larry Craig
Washington, DC
RE: Immigration legislation

Dear Senators Crapo and Craig,

I'm writing to ask you to oppose any immigration bill that includes any form of guest worker, or any other amnesty-like provision that rewards those who have broken our laws in getting into this country. Also, in the strongest terms possible, I urge you to allow a vote on the Sensenbrenner immigration bill that has already passed the House of Representatives.

Until the federal government is willing to strongly enforce the immigration laws that are already on the books, Americans will be highly skeptical of any additional promises to enforce a new and deeply flawed approach. If recent history is an accurate guide, this so-called guest worker notion would only encourage a new wave of illegal aliens and make America 's uncontrolled and unacceptable immigration debacle even worse than it is now.

Such legislation is a bad idea not only because it creates a transparent path to amnesty, but also because it would reduce work opportunities, depress wages, and lower worker protection for Americans. Further, it would be impossible to administer and even more unlikely to be enforced.

In my estimation, on of the most important job you have to do right now is to SECURE OUR BORDER against illegal immigration. Like millions of Americans, I'm sick and tired of the "inside the beltway" politics on this issue; I will listen to no more excuses or sophistry regarding this issue. Senator, we need you and your collegues to pass true border security legislation, such as the Sensenbrenner bill already passed by the House.

Please, oppose any immigration bill that includes any guest worker amnesty-like provisions. I will be watching your vote on this issue very closely and urging everyone I know to do the same. As with abortion, this issue is a show stopper for me. Anyone not addressing this issue directly, and in such a manner as to stop the flood, support our laws, and end this invasion will simply not get my vote.

Thank you for your time and attention.

Sincerely,

Jeff Head
Emmett, ID

AND TO THE PRESIDENT:

President George Bush
Washington, DC
RE: Immigration legislation

Dear President Bush,

I'm writing to let you know that I have asked both of my senators here in Idaho, (Senator's Craig and Capo) to oppose any immigration bill that includes any form of guest worker, or any other amnesty-like provision that rewards those who have broken our laws in getting into this country. Also, in the strongest terms possible, I have urged them to allow a vote on the Sensenbrenner immigration bill that has already passed the House of Representatives.

Until the federal government is willing to strongly enforce the immigration laws that are already on the books, Americans will be highly skeptical of any additional promises to enforce a new and deeply flawed approach. If recent history is an accurate guide, this so-called guest worker notion would only encourage a new wave of illegal aliens and make America 's uncontrolled and unacceptable immigration debacle even worse than it is now.

Such legislation is a bad idea not only because it creates a transparent path to amnesty, but also because it would reduce work opportunities, depress wages, and lower worker protection for Americans. Further, it would be impossible to administer and even more unlikely to be enforced.

In my estimation, and with all due respect Mr. President, one of the most important job you have to do right now is to SECURE OUR BORDER against illegal immigration. Like millions of Americans, I'm sick and tired of the "inside the beltway" politics on this issue; I will listen to no more excuses or sophistry regarding it. Mr. President, we need you to push for and help pass true border security legislation, such as the Sensenbrenner bill already passed by the House.

Please, push forward legislation that does not include any amnesty-like provisions, such as the Sensenbrenner bill. I will be watching my senators vote on this issue very closely and urging everyone I know to do the same. As with abortion, this issue is a show stopper for me. Anyone not addressing this issue directly, and in such a manner as to stop the flood, support our laws, and end this invasion will simply not get my support or vote any longer.

Thank you for your time and attention, Mr. President, and God bless and keep you...and guide you...as you deal with the critical issues facing our nation along with the war we are engaged in. In my estimation, this issue and the latter are directly linked and part and parcel of the same..

Sincerely,

Jeff Head
Emmett, ID

[Jeff Head]

I support whole heartidly legal immigration to this country for any person who wants to become an American and part of our constitutional Republic and its attendant laws, life style, and moral values.

But illegal immigration has nothing to do with that in my estimation, from the get go when they violate those laws to get here.

We need plainly understood and decent immigration laws (which I believe we have) and then the will to enforce them.

Just my opinion.

[Jeff Head]

FYI...my feelings as sent to my representatives.

[cripplecreek]

I sent one out to my RINO again this morning.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

This is what President Bush said yesterday, March 25, 2006

"Comprehensive immigration reform begins with securing our borders."

"To keep the promise of America, we must enforce the laws of America."

"One thing the temporary worker program would not do is provide
amnesty to those who are in our country illegally."

---

President's Radio Address March 25, 2006

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/03/20060325.html

THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. On Monday, I will attend a
naturalization ceremony here in Washington. It's always inspiring to
watch a group of immigrants raise their hands and swear an oath to
become citizens of the United States of America. These men and women
follow in the footsteps of millions who've come to our shores seeking
liberty and opportunity, and America is better off for their hard
work and love of freedom.

America is a nation of immigrants, and we're also a nation of laws.
And our immigration laws are in need of reform. So at Monday's
ceremony, I will discuss my vision for comprehensive immigration
reform that will secure our borders, improve enforcement of our
immigration laws, and uphold our values.

Comprehensive immigration reform begins with securing our borders.
Since I took office, we've increased funding for border security by
66 percent, and the Department of Homeland Security has caught and
sent home nearly 6 million illegal immigrants. To improve security at
the border, we're hiring thousands more Border Patrol agents. We're
deploying new technology, like infrared cameras and unmanned aerial
vehicles, to help our agents do their job. And we're installing
physical barriers to entry, like fences in urban areas.

We're also working to end the unwise practice of catch-and-release.
For decades, many illegal immigrants were released back into society
soon after they were caught, because we did not have enough detention
space. So we're adding more beds so we can hold the people we catch,
and we're reducing the time it takes to send them back home. When
illegal immigrants know they will be caught and sent home, they will
be less likely to break the rules, and our immigration system will be
more orderly and secure. We're making good progress, but we have much
more work ahead, and we will not be satisfied until we have control
of our border.

Comprehensive immigration reform also includes strengthening the
enforcement of our laws in America's interior. Since I took office,
we've increased funding for immigration enforcement by 42 percent.
We're increasing the number of immigration enforcement agents and
criminal investigators, enhancing work site enforcement, and going
after smugglers and gang members and human traffickers.

Finally, comprehensive immigration reform requires a temporary worker
program that will relieve pressure on our borders. This program would
create a legal way to match willing foreign workers with willing
American employers to fill jobs that Americans will not do. By
reducing the number of people trying to sneak across the border, we
would free up our law enforcement officers to focus on criminals and
drug dealers and terrorists and others who mean us harm.

One thing the temporary worker program would not do is provide
amnesty to those who are in our country illegally. I believe that
granting amnesty would be unfair, because it would allow those who
break the law to jump ahead of people who play by the rules and wait
in the citizenship line. Amnesty would also be unwise, because it
would encourage waves of illegal immigration, increase pressure on
the border, and make it more difficult for law enforcement to focus
on those who mean us harm. For the sake of justice and for the sake
of border security, I firmly oppose amnesty.

In the coming days, the United States Senate plans to consider
proposals on immigration reform. This is an emotional debate. America
does not have to choose between being a welcoming society and being a
lawful society. We can be both at the same time. As we debate the
immigration issue, we must remember there are hard-working
individuals, doing jobs that Americans will not do, who are
contributing to the economic vitality of our country.

To keep the promise of America, we must enforce the laws of America.
We must also ensure that immigrants assimilate into our society and
learn our customs and values -- including the English language. By
working together, we can meet our duty to fix our immigration system
and deliver a bill that protects our country, upholds our laws, and
makes our Nation proud.

Thank you for listening.

[Jeff Head]

Yep...I read that and liked the words. But I sent the letter anyway to ensure he knew what my feelings are and how seriously I consider this issue. I hope and pray that the actions of our elected representatives will live up to those words. This is my small way of letting them know that is what I expect and that I am watching to see if they do.

[Jeff Head]

Great...the more the merrier. They need to fear for their political lves over this issue.

[Noumenon]

Well done, Jeff. You have to wonder just whose interests our RINO pols are serving. It's obviously not those of this country.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Good stuff Jeff. I will be writing and sending similar letters today. Not that it will do any good. My senators are Kerry and Kennedy.

I agree, we need to give the President a real heads up on this issue and make sure he knows we mean to have him 'gitterdun'.

[EternalVigilance]

Nice words. But why doesn't anyone believe him?

It's because everyone knows that the words are belied by the fact that amnesty is amnesty by any name, and that anmesty is the abrogation of the rule of law and of American sovereignty.

It's a disaster what's happening, and words just don't cut it.

[EternalVigilance]

Great letters, Jeff.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[Jack Black]

I sent one to the only Republican senator in the Northwest, Gordon Smith. Gordon's a good fellow, but he goes wobbly sometimes. As for the rest, we have 2 out and out Socialists in Washington with Maria Cantwell and Patty (Osama Mama) Murray. And Oregon's Ron Wyden ain't much better.

There really is little point in writing these people, I'm afraid.

[Jeff Head]

I read and liked the President's words. But I sent these letters anyway to ensure he knew what my feelings are and how seriously I consider this issue. I hope and pray that the actions of our elected representatives will live up to those words. This is my small way of letting them know that is what I expect and that I am watching to see if they do.

They must fear for their political hides over this issue. We need statesmen who will say those words and then do all in their power to enure that they translate into actions and reality. We shall see if they do. They can start with the Sensenbrenner Bill.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

2006 and 2008 elections will be interesting.
Without vital support from Independents the GOP can't win.
Time for the real conservatives on FR,
be it Republicans, Independents or Democrats
(like Zell Miller and John O'Neill) to band together
and oust the looney left and RINO's

[Jeff Head]

If they get enough...and they sense the outraqe, and realize that they may have to fear for their political careers...then they will act.

Too bad that with so many it has come to that...but it has. I liked the President's words in his radio address. They are fine sentiments...but must be translated into action and reality.

[Jeff Head]

Thanks my friend. It's time we toll the bell loudly and clearly that the only interests that are acceptable are American interests. If enough of us act...they will get the message...and that message is simnple. Either address the issue directly and clearly and from an American perspective...or be replaced.

[Jeff Head]

Great! Write them anyway. They need to taste of the outrage and frustration of Americans over this issue. I believe the President is beginning to move towards a good solution. I pray it is so and that his words of yesterday will be directly translated into action.

[Jeff Head]

Amen! Could not have said it any better myself.

[EternalVigilance]

Amen, Tonk.

[EternalVigilance]

I read and liked the President's words.

Once more, the fact that his plan still contains amnesty by any name puts the lie to the pretty words.

And the continuing silly talk about 'the jobs Americans won't do' is still patronizing and insulting.