We have a thread on this going but might as well post it here as well so the petition can get signed!
INHOFE ANNOUNCES ONLINE PETITION FOR AMERICANS TO SUPPORT
BORDER SECURITY AND NO-AMNESTY IMMIGRATION REFORM
(JUNE 15, 2007) - U.S. Senator James Inhofe (R-Okla.) today announced “Secure Borders Now” (http://www.securebordersnow.com), a new website for Americans to urge the Senate to consider immigration reform that focuses on enforcing existing border security laws and opposition to amnesty for millions of illegal immigrants.
“Unfortunately it appears many in the Senate remain deaf to the voices of the American people, as yet another backroom deal has emerged designed to revive the fatally flawed immigration bill and its immediate path to amnesty. The ‘Secure Borders Now’ petition gives Americans an opportunity to voice their opposition. I hope my constituents and citizens from all across our country will take action, sign the petition and show how many Americans are strongly opposed to this bill.”
“Despite the promise of increased funding for border security and additional votes on a handful of amendments, the proposed legislation will continue to shortcut the current naturalization process and grant amnesty to 12 to 20 million illegal immigrants currently in our country. That is a trade off that I simply cannot support.
“The first step in any significant immigration legislation must be securing our borders and enforcing existing laws. It is unconscionable to make border security conditional on the guarantee of amnesty. Even with the promise of additional funding for border security, the Senate bill focuses far too much on controversial and irresponsible programs such as the ‘Z-visa’ (which I voted to eliminate), and far too little on ensuring that our borders are no longer porous.
“I have stated from the outset of this immigration debate that I will vehemently oppose any legislation that guarantees amnesty for illegal immigrants, unfairly burdens taxpayers or fails to secure our borders.
“It is time that we deal with real immigration reform beginning with border security. This is the best way to restore trust with the American people and facilitate future improvement of our immigration policy.”
On Tuesday, Senator Inhofe joined eight Senators in writing a letter to President Bush urging him to fulfill the border security provisions listed in the Senate immigration bill whether the legislation passes or not. Each border security trigger in the bill can be implemented under current law without any need for new legislation from Congress.
A Rasmussen Reports national phone survey conducted June 11 and 12, found that only 20 percent of voters wanted Congress to try and pass the Senate bill that failed last week. Sixty-nine percent favored an approach that focused “exclusively on securing the border and reducing illegal immigration.”
You could hear an audible collective sigh of relief, from the legal American public, when they realized this lousy bill was going to fail the first time around.
Everyone better get on top of this. Even here in Tennessee yesterday Lamar Alexander told a talk show host (Steve Gill) that he will vote FOR closure this time because “the Senate has to get on with its business”.
Business as usual, damn the country, the important thing is what is going on in the club inside the beltway.
Is it something in the air in DC? Everyone who goes there soon is an insider who cares NOTHING for their responsibilities.
Black leaders should be screaming against this bill. It will hurt most Americans, including African-Americans. Carol M. Swain wrote a column on this: "Illegal immigration's harmful effects," May 25, '07.