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Posted on 06/14/2007 11:56:05 AM PDT by PajamaTruthMafia
Secure the border first By Michael Steele Thursday, June 14, 2007
When House Republicans passed legislation last December that secured our borders and put a premium on strict enforcement of our immigration laws, the American people had hope that their elected leaders had heard their demands.
Sadly, the legislation that is currently leading the debate in Washington shows our Senators have turned a deaf ear to the public. Despite last week’s action stopping it from coming to the Senate floor for a final vote, efforts are being made to tinker around the edges with this legislation and pass it later this year.
The better course of action is for our elected leaders to follow the no-nonsense direction being called for by hard-working, tax-paying, law-abiding citizens: Secure Our Borders Now!
The current Senate legislation is a mirror image of the approach passed by Congress in 1986 when it forced on us amnesty for illegal immigrants in exchange for border security.
The result of that misguided approach then is an estimated 12 million illegal immigrants living in the United States now.
The American people are fed up and won’t be misled again. This Congress will be judged on their actions, not their words.
Congress must stop the flow of illegal immigrants across our border. Once we know who is in our country then we can take the next step in immigration reform.
The supporters of the current Senate legislation have stated that “triggers” are in place that prevent a “pathway to citizenship” until the borders are secured.
The problem is the bill’s “triggers” are basically meaningless since amnesty occurs regardless of whether the triggers are pulled. And besides, most of the triggers either are already in place or authorized by current law. For instance, Immigration and Customs Enforcement already has 27,500 detention beds, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is on schedule to have 18,000 Border Patrol agents in the next two years (they currently have almost 15,000 agents) and DHS is already required by law to build over 700 miles of fencing along the border (the 370 miles required by this “trigger” is actually a cut). In short, these “triggers” do not lead to true border security; but rather, greater insecurity for American families and businesses.
The current “comprehensive” immigration bill is purposely designed to permit the overwhelming majority of illegal immigrants to legally live and work in the U.S. from day one and eventually to become permanent residents and then citizens. This is not the outcome the American people desire.
Until Congress passes legislation that starts and ends with securing our borders and puts a premium on strict enforcement of our immigration laws, we must make our voices heard. But understand, in order to hear our voice, you must take the time to listen to what we're saying.
Should our Senators do that, they would hear the five principles that guide the American people’s resolve on immigration.
First, the American people want to secure our borders and provide additional resources to federal and state authorities to strengthen border patrol efforts. Period.
Second, they want to strengthen enforcement and stiffen penalties on those immigrants who ignore the rule of law of this country.
Third, they want to enforce current laws that prevent employers from knowingly hiring illegal immigrants.
Fourth, they oppose all efforts to reward illegal immigrants for illegal behavior. Fifth, but every bit as important, they want to keep the door to America open. We understand our success depends on legal immigrants. Look at how our nation was built. We just ask that those wanting to live here obey our immigration laws, assimilate into our society by learning English, and embrace our common identity as Americans.
We further ask that those we have entrusted with leadership meet the expectations of the American people by passing straightforward legislation that secures our borders and enforces current immigration laws. Not too much to ask, now is it?
Michael Steele is a former Lieutenant Governor of Maryland.
Thompson/Steele 08!
“The problem is the bill’s “triggers” are basically meaningless since amnesty occurs regardless of whether the triggers are pulled.”
Exactly.
Paging Fred Thompson...we have found your running mate. And he’s here in Maryland.
I like that: A Thompson/Steele ticket!
Steele Bump
Dead on target, and a nice audition to be Thompson’s VP!
Right on immigration AND he likes puppies!!
I hear he returned a library book late once though.
Just say NO to Amnesty!! Keep calling!! It’s NOT OVER!!
U.S. Senate switchboard: (202) 224-3121
U.S. House switchboard: (202) 225-3121
White House comments: (202) 456-1111
Find your House Rep.: http://www.house.gov/writerep
Find your US Senators: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
He is right! But YOU in America NEED very much the cheap labor that has gone to fill a need. Supply and Demand! REWARD those who come under false names, REWARD those who when turned down for a visa, paid bribes and crossed ANYWAY encouraging a culture that defies law, principle, character and puts above all things, GET THE MONEY. REWARD this, and you’ll see that this garden will grow, and others will learn that your laws of 1985 were never taken seriously and no one every intended to enforce it. UNENFORCED LAWS, Lawless America. How sad, we in the other parts of the world thought in America, people respected the Rule of Law...uhmnnn
Simple words...Secure the border first...Can they hear them?
What Americans? 2/3 are totally brain dead or our Country wouldn't be going down the tubes. We wouldn't have a RAT Senate. Nor a RAT House. And soon, we better hold our breath, a RAT President. Remember, those of you who because of some childless disagreement with a small point or two with a candidate would rather not vote.
THOMPSON - STEELE FOR ME.
I’ve been saying that for 3 months now. !
Of course the President passed up Steele to appoint Martinez.
I agree with the second poster. Steele would be a fabulous addition to any Presidential ticket.
This thread contains the names and phone numbers if all the Senators. The first phone number after their name rings directly into their office and you generally get a real person.
I have called some of the Senators that are reported to be wobbling on the bringing the amnesty bill back up. Most have not asked for my name or address...but I have been asked for my zip code. So have a local zip code ready.
Click here and scroll down.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1835886/posts
Call now. Call often.
With Bush fighting this never-ending “War on Terror,” sending more people to Iraq (many of whom are attempting to seal the borders of IRAQ for God’s sake!) and extending duty tours at the same time really bad people are doing all they can to get really bad stuff (chemical, biological and nuclear) into this country (it’s probably already here) to do really bad things (probably worse than 9-11), why in the hell has he ignored borders that leak like sieves?
Bush obviously thinks securing IRAQ’S border and IRAQI citizens from incursion by and death at the hands of murderous thugs is more important than securing OUR BORDERS AND CITIZENS.
In a saner, more aware time, that sort of behavior would have produced charges of treason.
Alas, those times — like this country’s greatness — are far behind us, never to return.
The man is either delusional, schizophrenic at best or just plain stupid at worst.
Or part of some plot to alter America forever.
Bush’s name will be mentioned along with Carter’s when the worst presidents in history are discussed.
(Excuse me. Some large folks in ninja outfits at the door...never mind they just battered it down and are...
Recently large demonstrations have taken place
across the country protesting the fact that Congress
is finally addressing the issue of illegal immigration.
Certain people are angry that
the US might protect its own
borders; might make it harder
to sneak into this country and,
once here, to stay indefinitely.
Let me see if I correctly understand
the thinking behind these protests.
Let’s say I break into your house.
Let’s say that when you discover
me in your house, you insist that I leave.
But I say, “I’ve made all
the beds and washed the
dishes and did the laundry
and swept the floors. I’ve
done all the things you don’t
like to do. I’m hard-working
and honest (except for when I broke into your house).
According to the protesters:
You are Required to let me stay in your house
You are Required to add me to your family’s insurance plan
You are Required to Educate my kids
You are Required to Provide other benefits to me & to my family
(my husband will do all of your yard work because
he is also hard-working and honest, except for that
breaking in part).
If you try to call the police or force me out,
I will call my friends who will picket your
house carrying signs that proclaim my
RIGHT to be there.
It’s only fair, after all, because you have
a nicer house than I do, and I’m just
trying to better myself. I’m a hard-working
and honest, person, except for well,
you know, I did break into your house
And what a deal it is for me!!!
I live in your house, contributing only a
fraction of the cost of my keep, and
there is nothing you can do about it
without being accused of cold,
uncaring, selfish, prejudice!, and bigoted behavior.
Oh yeah, I DEMAND that you learn
MY LANGUAGE! so you can communicate with me.
And don’t forget to make sure your forms are in MY language - I need to understand them...
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