illegal immigration

In respect to Terry Anderson

2010-07-29T15:00:00.000-06:00

http://www.lawatchdog.com/TerryAndersonsLastShow-20100725.html

Listen to tributes to the late Terry Anderson by immigration reform greats such as Tom Tancredo, Roy Beck, Russell Pearce, Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Dan Stein...just to mention a few.

Another Blow for Mexico

2010-07-29T14:25:00.003-06:00

As part of his continuing quest to advance the cause of the Mexican takeover of the American Southwest, Barack Obama pressured a U.S. District Judge to stop the enforcement of an Arizona law designed to protect its citizens against the Mexican invasion.
It was best summarized by Heather Mac Donald: "In enjoining Arizona's landmark immigration law, U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton maintains the Obama administration's carefully cultivated fiction: that what concerns the White House regarding S.B. 1070 is its effect on legal, rather than illegal, aliens. Almost nowhere in the government's briefs or the judge's ruling is the arrest and detention of illegal aliens addressed. This fiction is transparent, however. The real threat posed by S.B. 1070 was that it would disrupt the de facto amnesty that the executive branch has accorded to the vast majority of illegal aliens. It would start to implement congressional mandates and the public will that the immigration laws be enforced. For that reason, it had to be stopped."
Americans have been so intimidated by the left that they are afraid to even discuss the possibility that we are being invaded by a hostile force: Mexico. Even worse, it is an invasion supported by the President of the United States.
They had better wake up and smell the refried beans.

ksl.com - Thousands rally in Salt Lake City for immigration reform

2010-03-21T21:49:00.001-06:00

ksl.com - Thousands rally in Salt Lake City for immigration reform

Im back

2010-01-04T01:09:00.002-06:00

long time but will get back into the game with the up most recent action from coast to coast folks!

2007-09-06T16:43:00.000-06:00

Austin American-StatesmanTancredo: Mexican drug runners and gangs moving to the U.S.Presidential candidate Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo, blasted comments this week by Mexican president Felipe Calderon. -- Calderon said at his State of the Union speech Sunday that he would continue to protest "unilateral actions" of the U.S. Congress that "exacerbate the persecution" of Mexican illegal immigrants in the United States.

2007-09-06T16:38:00.000-06:00

Video ClipsLou Dobbs Tonight -- CNN -- September 5, 2007
Chertoff
Mexico
Missouri
Transcript

2007-08-31T23:24:00.000-06:00

Bush Still At ItFighting to Let Mexican Trucks Into U.S.

Romans ...The Teamsters filed suit in the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to block an administration plan allowing Mexican trucks deep into this country as early perhaps as Saturday. Teamsters president Jimmy Hoffa called it a slap in the face to American workers opening highways to potentially dangerous Mexican trucks on Labor Day weekend. Opponents of the plan also warn the Mexican big rigs are not subject to U.S. safety standards. And Mexican trucks crossing into America's heartland could further compromise border security. [...] Sylvester: An August report by the Department of Transportation's inspector general found Mexico has no certified testing laboratories for drug and alcohol testing of drivers. And systems used to track convictions of Mexican commercial drivers contain data inconsistencies. Watch Transcript

2007-08-29T20:26:00.001-06:00

Lou Dobbs Tonight -- CNN -- August 28Wian:.... Now Texas Congressman John Culberson says Carrillo has agreed to adopt the Operation Streamline zero-tolerance policy already in place in Del Rio, Texas. There, all illegal aliens caught crossing the border face prosecution and six months in jail.Culberson: I now can report for the first time here on Lou Dobbs' show that I have also secured the same commitment from Border Patrol Chief David Aguilar, has promised me that he is going to work not only to support Chief Carrillo in implementing zero tolerance in Laredo, but Chief Aguilar has now committed that he is going to implement zero tolerance from Brownsville to San Diego. Wian: The Border Patrol confirms the agreement, with the caveat that Congress must provide more resources, for example, prosecutors, marshals, and jail staff. Watch Culberson / Raid Transcript

2007-07-04T10:24:00.000-06:00

Lou Dobbs Tonight -- CNN -- July 3Romans: Supporters of former border patrol agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean are asking for the same compassion. Ramos and Compean are also convicted felons. Their careers also over. They are serving sentences of 11 and 12 years for not following protocol and shooting a fleeing illegal alien drug smuggler in the buttocks.Duncan Hunter: Clearly if Scooter Libby deserves a commutation, I would hope that the White House on this July 4th, tomorrow, would fully pardon Compean and Ramos. Ramos has already been beaten up in prison by some of the inmates who recognized him as a border patrol agent. I think they have been punished enough. Watch Pardon / Comments / Arizona / Rep. King Transcript

2007-07-02T15:57:00.000-06:00

Want Amnesty? Vote Democrat Candidates Line Up With Reconquistas
"...I will not support any bill that does not provide this earned path to citizenship for the undocumented population..." Obama, April 3, 2006

Reuters -- June 30Democrats woo Hispanics with immigration reform Democratic presidential candidates wooed Hispanic voters on Saturday with pledges to keep working for immigration laws that would allow more of those already in the United States to become citizens and voters. Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and five other Democrats spoke to the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials two days after the U.S. Senate killed a proposal that would have created a path to citizenship for more than 12 million illegal immigrants, many of them Hispanic.

2007-06-19T23:37:00.001-06:00

Lou Dobbs Tonight - CNN - June 18Kyl: ...., that [fence] has to be constructed within about 18 months is the 371 [miles]. They keep on constructing after that, but that must be constructed before any of the illegal immigrants get any kind of status. -- [That is a lie - they are legalized immediately]. [...]Kyl:... with respect to the fencing, it would we nice if they would build the fence one mile at a time. Instead what they do is they acquire all of the right of way. Then they do all of the clearing..... -- [That is a lie - they are not even asking for right of way] Watch Transcript

2007-06-15T23:28:00.001-06:00

President Bush is promising to secure the border if only millions of illegal aliens are legalized. Today, people like Senator Kyl think they can finally get "border security in our time" only if they agree to Bush's demand for amnesty. Some say this sounds like Neville Chamberlain's concession of Czechoslovakia to Hitler at Munich in 1938. In 1938 Chamberlain thought he could avoid war by giving in to Hitler's demands. Chamberlain said his deal with Hitler would bring "peace in our time." It didn't and England went to war with Germany. Bush signed the Secure Fence Act of 2006 and has done nothing to implement it. There is absolutely no reason to trust him or the power elite that presently run Washington. They will never secure the border. "This is a repeat of the 1986 law," said Glenn Spencer of American Patrol, " and the people must demand that the government first secure the border and provide proof of same before even discussing the status of illegal aliens." Watch / Also see New Haven Segment Transcript

2007-06-15T23:25:00.000-06:00

Grand Bargainers Revive Bush-Kennedy Amnesty Legislation!!!Call Your Senators To Object!

Once again, the Senate's "Grand Bargainers" have gone behind closed doors and struck a deal to shove a massive guest worker amnesty bill down the throats of the American people-despite their overwhelming opposition. Thursday night, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced that the Bush-Kennedy bill would be brought back to the Senate floor next week. Unlike the well-publicized press conference that unveiled the "grand bargain" back in May, last night's announcement was made by the leaders in a brief joint statement: "We met this evening with several of the senators involved in the immigration bill negotiations. Based on that discussion, the immigration bill will return to the Senate floor after completion of the energy bill."
The revival of the Bush-Kennedy amnesty bill was not a surprise to political observers, as Senate staffers had warned that the bill's proponents were engaged in urgent back room negotiations to develop a finite list of amendments. An agreement on amendments was demanded by Majority Leader Harry Reid as a condition of bringing the bill back to the floor to ensure that the bill was not filibustered with endless debate. Late Wednesday and early Thursday, word leaked out that a list of 20-22 amendments had been agreed upon-approximately half authored by Republicans and half authored by Democrats.
Then, Thursday afternoon, President Bush gave a speech to the Associated Builders and Contractors at the Capitol Hilton in Washington, D.C., where he announced that he would support immediate funding for certain border security measures found in the trigger provision of Section 1. That funding will be added by a newly-drafted amendment authored by Senators Lindsay Graham (R-SC) and Jon Kyl (R-AZ) that would essentially borrow $4.4 billion dollars from the government's general fund to immediately spend on the trigger. The money would then be repaid through the fine and fee money generated by the amnesty program in Title VI of the bill. Smiling to the audience, the President declared, "We're going to show the American people that the promises in this bill will be kept."
Interestingly, however, the President (who by the way attended the National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast this morning with Senators Kennedy and Martinez) did not explain to his big business friends his sudden enthusiasm for funding border security measures. He did not explain why he has not shown such dedication during the last six years of his presidency to enforcing our immigration laws. Nor did he mention that the language of the bill already requires the fees and fines from the amnesty program to pay for carrying out the provisions of the bill. Thus, the $4.4 billion he is promising is not new money.
What is new, however, is that the money is being fronted by the taxpayers to pay for the trigger provisions of the bill. While that is in theory a good thing, all the money in the world won't fix the problem of an arrogant Administration that refuses to enforce the law. For example, before the elections last fall, Congress overwhelmingly passed the Secure Fence Act of 2006 and appropriated $1.2 billion dollars to build the 700 miles of fencing mandated by it. Almost one year later, the Administration has only 11 miles of fence to show for it.
Members of Congress were quick to react to the President's new promises. Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC) responded, "I appreciate the effort to fund border security, but there's simply no reason why we should be forced to tie amnesty to it," (Washington Post). Congressman Brian Bilbray (R-CA), Chairman of the House Immigration Reform Caucus, said, "Only in Washington would people believe that throwing money at the problem is going to solve it….This is a blatant attempt by senators to extort votes so they can fast-track an amnesty plan," (Washington Post). Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-CA) said, "The idea that we will have border security only if it's paid for by illegal immigrants is unacceptable," (New York Times).
Indeed, the New York Times reports that Senators are feeling the pressure from the critics of the bill. Minority Whip Trent Lott (R-MS), who supports the bill, said that, Senate Republican leaders may try to rein in "younger guys who are huffing and puffing against the bill."
Please do not let Senate Leadership — Republican or Democratic — cram this guest worker amnesty bill down the throats of the American people. When the bill comes back to the floor, there will be two critical votes. The first critical vote will be a cloture vote on the motion to proceed. Generally speaking, this is equivalent to a vote on whether the Senate can proceed on the bill. If this motion fails, the Senate cannot take up the bill again. If this motion passes, the Senate will take up the bill and debate amendments. Then (probably after a day or two) there will be a second critical vote, which will be a cloture vote to end debate on the bill. If this vote fails, the Senate cannot conclude debate on the bill and will not be able to move to a vote on final passage.
FAIR is urging all members, activists, and friends to call their Senators and urge them to vote NO ON BOTH CLOTURE VOTES. Please tell them that A VOTE FOR CLOTURE IS A VOTE FOR AMNESTY!!!!! Please let your Senators know that the American people want the enforcement of our laws-not guest worker programs and not amnesty. If you can, please visit the district offices of your Senators and Representatives and tell them the same in person or leave a hand-written note, so they know that the message is coming from a real constituent, not a special-interest group.
It has been the overwhelming response from constituents like you that made the difference on the Senate floor last week. WE NEED YOU TO REDOUBLE YOUR EFFORTS!!!
To find the phone numbers of your Senators, click here.

2007-06-10T09:14:00.000-06:00

Lou Dobbs Tonight - CNN - June 8Casey Wian: Border Patrol chief David Aguilar told a congressional conference on U.S.-Mexico border issues that the border won't be secured before 2013. That's when the secure border initiative, including manpower, technology and infrastructure, is scheduled to be complete. Until then, Aguilar says the Border Patrol must "manage the expectations of the country." Watch 1 / 2 / 3 / More Later Transcript

Comment: This numskull refuses to acknowledge the existence of the Secure Fence Act of 2006 and says we must "manage the expectations of the country." What the hell does that mean? It means they will lie to us in order to pacify us, just as the President lied to us today. It means that the next President must replace the entire DHS management staff and build the fence by a time certain. This will be THE domestic presidential campaign issue.

2007-06-04T22:21:00.000-06:00

Bush Fuels Controversy Through Speeches

In a set of divisive speeches last week concerning immigration reform, President Bush succeeded in angering people across the political spectrum by denouncing opponents to the immigration legislation he crafted behind closed doors with Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA). The Bush-Kennedy bill, unveiled to Senators just 48 hours before floor debate began, would grant amnesty to the 12 to 20 million illegal aliens in the U.S. and in addition create two new guest worker programs that would annually import hundreds of thousands of foreign guest workers. The Bush-Kennedy legislation has outraged many constituents, who have flooded the phone lines on Capitol Hill to voice their opposition.
President Bush, attempting to push back on constituent anger, gave two speeches last week that only served to fuel the fire in this debate. His first speech was at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia where he ridiculed those who claim that the legislation will grant amnesty illegal aliens: "This bill is not an amnesty bill. If you want to scare the American people, what you say is, the bill is an amnesty bill. It's not an amnesty bill." Bush further brushed aside these critics, saying, "Those determined to find fault with this bill will always be able to look at a narrow slice of it and find something they don't like. If you want to kill the bill, if you don't want to do what's right for America, you can pick one little aspect out of it. You can use it to frighten people" (emphasis added). To read President Bush's speech in full, click here.
The President's words prompted swift reaction from many corners, including from fellow Republicans. Congressman Brian Bilbray (R-CA), Chairman of the House Immigration Reform Caucus, released a statement saying, "Amnesty for 12-20 million illegal immigrants isn't a "narrow slice" Mr. President, it's the whole darn pie. What part of illegal does the President not understand? The American people want us to secure the border and crackdown on the number one incentive for illegal immigration which is illegal employment - they don't want another amnesty." Congressman Lamar Smith (R-TX) ranking Republican on the House Judiciary Committee responded by saying, "It doesn't matter how you slice it, the Senate amnesty bill is a raw deal for American workers and the rule of law. The bill treats illegal immigrants better than those who play by the rules, wait their turn and come in the right way. Either according to a law dictionary or common sense, the Senate bill is amnesty."
Despite this negative reaction, President Bush delivered another, similar speech during an immigration briefing he attended in the Executive Office Building. There, Bush again insisted that the Bush-Kennedy legislation is not amnesty and added, "For those who call it amnesty, they're just trying to, in my judgment, frighten people about the bill." Moreover, Bush suggested that that those who oppose the bill "fear diversity" and once again questioned the patriotism of his Congressional opponents by saying "people ought to be running for office to do what's right for the United States of America." To see the President's comments in full, click here.

Group of Senate Democrats Vote to Uphold Rule of Law
In the weeks following it's release, the Bush-Kennedy Bill has received blistering criticism from both sides of the aisle because it grants amnesty to the 12 to 20 million illegal aliens currently in the United States. During debate on the Senate floor last week, Senator David Vitter (R-LA) introduced an amendment to completely strike the amnesty portion (Title VI) from the bill, which failed 29-66. Many Republican activists were outraged that Republican Senators who had promised to fight amnesty actually voted to keep it in the bill. However, the silver lining behind the vote was the number of Democratic Senators who broke party ranks and voted with Senator Vitter to strike the amnesty portion of the bill.
In fact, nine Democratic Senators were courageous enough to cast their vote in opposition to amnesty. They were Senators Max Baucus (D-MT), Robert Byrd (D-WV), Byron Dorgan (D-ND), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Ben Nelson (D-NE), Mark Pryor (D-AR), John Rockefeller (D-WV), and Jon Tester (D-MT). Commenting on his vote, Senator Nelson said, "We must secure the borders so that we don't have millions more illegal immigrants. If we do not, we will only encourage millions more to cross the border illegally in hopes of being part of the amnesty offered under this legislation." A statement released from Senator Byrd's office said, "We should not reward those who break our immigration laws… this proposal could wave a magic wand and give as many as 12 million illegal immigrants automatic legal status. This amnesty plan is no fairy tale; it is a bad dream." While Senator Landrieu did not issue a formal statement regarding the vote, her spokesman Adam Sharp stated that Landrieu does not support "a path to blanket amnesty."
Senator Dorgan not only voted to strip the amnesty from the bill, but also introduced two critical amendments (#1153 and #1181) to eliminate the guest worker program from Title IV of the Bush-Kennedy bill. Unfortunately, the amendment to delete the guest worker program failed, 31-64; the amendment to sunset the program after five years failed, 48-49. To see how your Senators voted on Dorgan Amendment #1153, click here; to see how your Senators voted on Dorgan Amendment #1181, click here.

Congressman Ellsworth Denounces Amnesty
Freshman Congressman Brad Ellsworth (D-IN) is joining an increasing number of Democrats in the House of Representatives taking a firm stance against the amnesty provisions in the Bush-Kennedy bill. Last week, Congressman Ellsworth penned an article published in the Evansville Courier & Press denouncing amnesty. He wrote: "As a former law enforcement officer, rewarding people with amnesty for breaking our laws just doesn't sit right with me…For the past five years, Congress and the president have shortchanged border security and looked the other way while our laws were broken." Ellsworth also indicated that rather than granting new protections for illegal aliens, immigration reform must first include border security, reliable employment verification, and enforcing laws that are already on the books.
To tackle one such issue, Congressman Ellsworth has introduced the 'Legal Employee Verification Act' (H.R. 1951) in an effort to safeguard well-meaning employers by ensuring their work forces are legal, while also increasing punishments and fines for employers that exploit an illegal workforce. "An abundance of jobs for illegal immigrants is one of the main causes of the immigration problem we face," said Ellsworth. "Without available jobs, illegal immigrants have little incentive to leave their native countries." He is joined on the legislation by fellow Freshman Heath Shuler (D-NC), member of the Immigration Reform Caucus.

Congressman Clyburn Sends Mixed Messages on Amnesty
House Majority Whip Congressman Jim Clyburn (D-SC) recently indicated that he is uncomfortable with the amnesty proposals currently before Congress. The Associated Press reports that while discussing the issue of immigration reform during a press conference last week Clyburn stated, "I don't think there's a quick fix to this. I don't think there's any simple way to deal with this. And I will not support amnesty for anybody, I mean, that would be rewarding bad behavior."
Despite these comments, Clyburn simultaneously expressed disapproval at the notion of sending illegal aliens back to their home countries. "I would love to see us do something with a friendly country that would set up an Ellis Island sort of process outside of the country for people to acknowledge they're in here illegally to then start the process of coming back in," Clyburn said. This statement appears to be a reference to the proposal offered last year by Congressman Mike Pence (R-IN) that would have legalized the 12 to 20 million illegal aliens by simply processing them on the other side of the border. Clyburn said the House will work off the legislation drafted by Representatives Jeff Flake (R-AZ) and Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), also known as H.R.1645.

Senators Durbin, Grassley Propose Amendment to Prioritize American Workers
Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) took an important step to protect American workers by introducing Amendment #1231 to the Kennedy/Bush amnesty bill. The amendment, by striking certain language in the "Y" guest worker program, eliminates a loophole that would allow employers of foreign guest workers to ignore protections for American workers.
In its current form, the Bush-Kennedy bill purports to protect American workers by imposing certain requirements on employers who wish to hire the new Y guest workers. These include advertising the job opening through various means at least 90 days before it will be filled and offering the job first (with same wages, benefits, and conditions) to any eligible U.S. worker who applies. It also requires that an employer certify to the Department of Labor that there are not sufficient workers who are able, willing, and qualified to fill the jobs and that good faith efforts at recruitment have taken place. However, the Bush-Kennedy bill allows employers to these requirements if the Department of Labor (DOL) simply certifies there is a shortage of workers in the occupation and area of intended employment.
Allowing employers to short-circuit the intended process through DOL shortage certifications represents a significant loophole in the Bush-Kennedy bill. It is essentially an invitation for big business to lobby the federal government for such a certification and then, when certification is received, ignore U.S. worker protections. The Durbin-Grassley amendment eliminates this loophole by deleting the exception for Department of Labor shortage certifications, and thereby ensures that all employers who use the Y visa program are looking at U.S. citizens first before looking abroad.
The Durbin-Grassley amendment is only one of many pending amendments that is expected to be debated and voted on before final passage later this week

2007-05-23T09:05:00.000-06:00

New York Times Debate raging, Mexico adds to consulates in U.S.On the surface, there was nothing extraordinary about a certain government office in Little Rock, Ark., the other day as paperwork was signed, names were called, fees were paid, waits were endured and computer keyboards went tap, tap, tap. -- Just the workaday humdrum of official government business - the government of Mexico...

2007-05-23T09:01:00.001-06:00

O'Reilly Factor with Michelle Malkin -- May 21Gingrich: This bill is a disaster. It is a failure. It should be defeated. It should cease to exist. The Senate ought to go back to regular business. They ought to try to produce an immigration bill through the regular committee process out in the open where people can look at it, amend it, refine it, criticize it. But this particular deal is as big a disaster that any Republican has had in my lifetime, and I predict, if in fact it gets through the Senate, it will be a disaster for every Republican Senator and a lot of Democratic Senators because I think the anger is bipartisan. Taxpaying Americans do not want to be told that international gang members are going to be amnestied. Watch

2007-05-23T08:30:00.000-06:00

SENATE SELL-OUT!
Senate Bill 1348 Masquerades as "Real Immigration Reform" But Surrenders Public Interest For Politics!
S. 1348 Provisions
Immediate legal status and citizen benefits for 12+ million illegal aliens (Z-visas);
Admission of 400,000 additional "guest workers" plus dependents every year;
Grants amnesty to those who have broken the law, dramatically increases worker visas, and otherwise imposes impossible administration burdens on a currently dysfunctional system;
What S. 1348 Doesn't Have
Tougher penalties and enforcement requirements employer hiring illegal workers;
Clear and affordable enhanced border security measures;
What the proposed measures will cost and how they will be implemented and monitored over time;
Read FAIR's full analysis of the Z visa - a new visa in S. 1348 just for illegal aliens (PDF).
"In agreeing to this bill, the United States Senate has broken every promise that has been made to the American people," declared Dan Stein, president of FAIR.
S1348, a bill hastily developed behind closed doors, bypassed all normal processes for bill review and passage . . . in favor of pushing it through fast. The 2007 version of "immigration reform" contains the identical set of broken promises to secure the borders and enact penalties for employers who hire illegal aliens that we've heard countless times over the past 20 years.
I will support FAIR's efforts to do EVERYTHING POSSIBLE to oppose S. 1348 and all amnesty legislation and to support strong enforcement legislation to protect America by:
Making a special and urgently needed contribution now to support FAIR's efforts to stop passage of S1348 and all amnesty legislation and
Contacting my senators to let them know I oppose this legislation.

Watch Dan's Latest Media Appearance on CNBC, May 18th
"The bill reneges on promises that amnesty would never again be offered to people who are in this country illegally; it violates commitments that Congress has made to protect the interests of American workers; and it compromises the security of this nation by granting legal status to people who may pose a threat to the nation.
Adding to the betrayal, this surrender of the public interest was negotiated by senators who had personally pledged, as recently as last year, never to agree to any bill that includes amnesty." -- FAIR President Dan Stein.
"S.1348 Security and Enforcement Provisions are Less Than Meaningless" -- Dan Stein.
The bill if passed will likely run in the tens of BILLIONS to implement over the next several years, but Congress has provided no cost estimate and no impact studies. In fact the ill-conceived terms of this amnesty will impact every town, city and state in this country and will be taxpayer funded.
"The security and enforcement provisions are less than meaningless. They will either not be funded, endlessly delayed, or ignored all together," FAIR president Dan Stein declared last week. "While tens of millions of illegal aliens will reap rewards and enjoy access to the courts to appeal any denial of benefits, the American public gets shafted with no avenue for appeal."
FAIR is calling upon the Senate to delay voting on S. 1348 until the bill receives a full public hearing, and until a thorough study of its impact is completed. "This is a bill that will quite literally affect the future of this nation. Its ramifications deserve more than a weekend's review on the part of the people who will vote on it," said Stein. "We call for the defeat of this bill."
I'm showing my support of FAIR to represent my opposition to any and all amnesty proposals with my contribution!
Thank you!
P.S. you can also mail your tax-deductible contribution to FAIR at 1666 Connecticut Ave. NW #400 Washington DC 20009

2007-05-20T10:07:00.001-06:00

Rich Lowry -- Salt Lake Tribune -- May 18, 2007The Senate's rotten immigration deal The U.S. has now constructed .286 percent of the 700 miles of fencing on the southern border provided for in 2006's Secure Fence Act. That is sufficient for a bipartisan group of senators to want to effectively declare this brief national experiment with immigration enforcement effectively over. Enough with the harsh exclusionary measures! Two miles of fencing out of 700 passed by Congress on a border stretching 1,952 miles is a milestone that should mark our departure to the next phase of immigration policy - a sweeping amnesty of illegals and an increase in legal immigration.
Watch Lou Dobbs Tonight ClipsCNN -- May 18, 2007Amnesty / Mex. Drugs / Verify / Opinion Transcript

2007-05-20T10:03:00.000-06:00

Call Congress Now - Senate Compromise Nothing But An Amnesty
Yesterday, Senators Ted Kennedy (D-MA), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Mel Martinez (R-FL), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), Ken Salazar (D-CO), Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA), Jon Kyl (R-AZ), and others announced that Senate negotiators had reached a "compromise" on immigration reform. At the press conference, Senate negotiators lauded the compromise, particularly for its bipartisan nature. "This is the best possible chance in years we will have to secure our borders, bring millions of people out of the shadows and into the sunshine of America," declared Senator Kennedy. Senator Specter insisted that in putting together the deal, the negotiators had required that illegal aliens earn their "right" to citizenship. "It is not amnesty," he said.
However, the details of this Senate compromise prove that it is nothing more than an amnesty. The language creates a "Z" visa program for illegal aliens and illegal aliens only. Specifically, the Senate deal:
Provides that Z visas last for 4 years and may be renewed indefinitely.
Waives numerous criminal provisions for eligibility purposes and no medical exam is needed up front.
Requires state and local governments are required to assist illegal aliens in providing documentation to support a Z visa application as a condition of receiving state impact assistance money.
Immediately grants probationary benefits (including work authorization, protection from removal, and a social security number) based only on an application and a 24-hour wait on a background check. Probationary benefits are not affected by the "trigger" in Title I of the bill.
Provides that any knowledge of English is required only upon the first renewal of a Z visa (i.e. after four years).
Allows Z aliens to apply for green cards and become citizens. While they must wait until some existing applications are processed, they are not required to wait in line behind those who have applied for green cards after May 1, 2005. Moreover, they get to live and work in the U.S. while they wait.
Provides that green card applications (for heads of households) must be filed in person outside the U.S. but not necessarily in the alien's country of origin. The alien can then re-enter under a Z nonimmigrant visa because it serves as a valid travel document.
Requires certain fees and a penalties. To become a Z nonimmigrant (head of household only) must pay a $1,000 penalty. To become a legal permanent resident (i.e. obtain a green card), a head of household must pay a $4,000 penalty.
Congressman Brian Bilbray (R-CA), Chairman of the House Immigration Reform Caucus, reacted swiftly to the announcement of a Senate deal:
"The 'compromise' announced today by Senator Kennedy will reward 12 million illegal immigrants with a path to citizenship - what part of illegal does the Senate not understand? Any plan that rewards illegal behavior is amnesty. You would think that the Senate would have learned their lesson after the 1986 amnesty debacle, but it looks like their idea of a 'compromise' is to repeat the failed policies of the past."
Congressman Tom Tancredo (R-CO) had similar words regarding the "compromise":
"Senator McCain and his allies seem to think that they can dupe the American public into accepting a blanket amnesty if they just call it 'comprehensive' or 'earned legalization' or 'regularization.' Unfortunately for them, however, the American people know amnesty when they see it."
Now its time for you to react! ON MONDAY NIGHT, the Senate will vote on whether to proceed with S.1348 (last year's guest worker amnesty bill). If this motion to proceed passes, the Senate will strip the language of S.1348 and replace it with the Senate "compromise" language. The new language, created entirely in secret, back-room negotiations, will then be debated and voted on.
Call your Senators and urge them to stop this amnesty in its tracks! Urge them to vote NO on the motion to proceed and NO on the Senate Amnesty Compromise!!!
To find the phone numbers of your Senators, click here. http://capwiz.com/fair

2007-05-15T21:36:00.000-06:00

Lou Dobbs Tonight -- CNN -- May 14Border Remains Wide OpenDana Bash, CNN: Well, Lou, within the next 48 hours or so, we could know whether or not comprehensive immigration reform, one of George Bush's top priorities, has any chance of becoming law during his presidency...Dobbs: ....Why in the world would this Congress, irrespective of whether it's Republican or Democratic leadership, not simply say we're going to secure first those borders and ports and move to control of immigration, and then deal with this issue? Bash: Well, if you talk to some of the senators, the Republican who agree with you on that issue, like Senator Jon Kyl...says you can have this path to citizenship, but we want to make sure to require that the homeland security secretary makes sure -- to certify,... that there are various steps to secure the border before that can even start. Watch Amnesty 1 / 2 / Aguilar / Farmer's Branch Transcript Contact Your Senator

2007-05-12T20:54:00.000-06:00

American PatrolA Mexican Cultural Trait? David Aguilar is a liar. He lied when he said the Secure Fence Act of 2006 didn't mandate the construction of a fence. Chertoff himself said it does. Now Aguilar is saying "Operational control" of the border will be achieved by 2012. The Secure Fence Act clearly says it must be achieved by 2008. Does Aguilar think he can veto a bill passed by 67% of the House and 81% of the Senate? This is the same guy who told Roger Barnett that the illegal aliens invading his ranch were campers. Little wonder why the rank and file of the Border Patrol voted no confidence in this sad excuse for a human being. Lying may be part of Aguilar's culture, but we shouldn't celebrate it.

2007-05-07T00:48:00.000-06:00

This Week -- ABC News -- May 6Stephanapoulos: Is the issue central enough to really be the force behind a presidential campaign. Tancredo: I don't know. How can I say for sure? All I can tell you is how strongly I feel about it. I happen to believe it is one of the most important domestic policy issues we can deal with. It touches so many parts of our lives. If you want to talk about education, we certainly can - the impact of illegal immigration on our schools. If we want to talk about health care we certainly can - and the impact of illegal immigration on our medical system. Eighty-six hospitals closing in Southern California in the last few years because of the impact of illegal immigration... Watch

2007-05-05T23:40:00.000-06:00

Associated PressLocal immigration laws bring high costsFarmers Branch, Texas -- Cities across the U.S. are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars defending themselves against lawsuits and other challenges to ordinances enacted to keep out illegal [aliens... criminals]. -- Some are warning that these communities are risking financial disaster in their effort to curb illegal immigration.

Salt Lake TribuneJunior High students walk out to protest immigration policiesAbout 100 Utah junior high students reportedly walked out of class today in protest of U.S. immigration policies. -- KSL News reports that pupils three schools walked out and headed toward Pioneer Park. They were carrying Mexican and American flags.

Sacramento BeeFamilies kept apart...Most Americans take it for granted that if a foreigner marries a U.S. citizen, that person will likely be welcomed with legal residency. This hasn't been true since 2001, when federal statutes adopted in 1996 began kicking in. -- Now, if a U.S. citizen or legal resident wants to sponsor a spouse or other close relative...

Washington PostU.S. targeting illegal alien abscondersAt 2:10 a.m., a fleet of dark SUVs surged from the garage beneath a federal building onto the deserted streets of Fairfax County, carrying a raiding party of flak- jacketed immigration agents. -- Their quarry: illegal [aliens... criminals] who have ignored and evaded deportation orders. Called "fugitive aliens" or "alien absconders," they have nearly doubled...
'The Boot'

Coeur d'Alene (Idaho) PressRep. says cops should have authority to boot invadersLocal police should be able to begin deporting [illegal aliens... criminals] in the county illegally, U.S. Rep. Bill Sali said in Coeur d'Alene on Friday. -- The Idaho Republican said during an interview at The Press offices that President Bush's plan to deal with those who sneak across the border is flawed.

2007-05-03T22:17:00.000-06:00

Guest Worker Amnesty Legislation To Land On the Senate Floor Within Two Weeks! Call Your Senators and Urge Them to Say NO!

Sources all over Capitol Hill are buzzing with information that guest worker amnesty legislation will be on Senate floor the week of May 14, 2007! The exact details of the bill -- negotiated entirely behind closed doors -- are known only to a few select staff members, but Senate staff has told FAIR that it will likely be a version of the White House plan or the Flake-Gutierrez bill. Congress Daily is similarly reporting that the Senate immigration bill will probably include a "Z visa" that will allow illegal aliens to stay and work in the United States-a provision taken directly from the White House proposal.

Not only are all of these negotiations going on behind closed doors, but the resulting product of those negotiations won't even be introduced as formal legislation. Congress Daily is now reporting that to get this massive guest worker amnesty plan passed, Senate leaders are planning to go to the Senate floor, amend the language onto an existing bill and then vote on it. By not introducing a formal bill and taking the debate straight to the floor, it is clear that Senate leaders are attempting to bypass the Committee review process and fast-track amnesty legislation through Congress with as little debate as possible. We need your help to stop it!!

It is IMPERATIVE that you call your Senators' offices today and urge them to oppose ANY guest worker amnesty legislation!

The debate is quickly coming to a head, and without pressure from hard working Americans, illegal alien amnesty may be passed by Congress within weeks.

NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT!!!

To find your Senators' phone numbers, click here.

2007-05-03T22:12:00.000-06:00

To Protect and Serve

By Bill O'Reilly for BillOReilly.comThursday, May 3, 2007

Well, Virginia Beach folded. In the face of growing anger from its citizenry, the city announced it will stop its "sanctuary" policy of failing to inform federal authorities about criminal illegal aliens.

The back story here is brutal. On March 30, 17-year-old Alison Kunhardt and 16-year-old Tessa Tranchant were killed when illegal alien Alfredo Ramos slammed into their car. Ramos was drunk and had four previous beefs with the law, including a DUI conviction.

Yet, Virginia Beach Chief of Police Jake Jacocks told the press he had ordered his officers not to call Homeland Security Agents (ICE) about any "low-level" offenders because he, Jacocks, didn't believe it was his job to help the feds.

What?

It seems to me that every law enforcement officer should want as few criminals in town as possible. Since Ramos was here in the USA illegally, and was a consistent lawbreaker in Virginia Beach, the feds could have easily removed him from the area and sent him back to Mexico. Apparently, Jacocks had a problem with that.

But not any longer, at least in public. After my reporting battered the government of Virginia Beach, it has changed its dangerous and irresponsible policy. But Jacocks got in a last shot calling me, your humble correspondent, "pathetic."

But that was an improvement over what Denver Post columnist Joanne Ostrow called me after she saw my coverage of the Virginia Beach story. Ms. Ostrow called me "racist."

So why all the anger? Doesn't it make sense that any person who is in the country illegally in the first place be deported when convicted of committing a crime on American soil? I can't read minds, but there is something very strange going on inside the "pro-immigration" movement.

When President Ronald Reagan delivered citizenship to almost three million illegal aliens in 1986 through his "amnesty" program, the entire problem of people coming to America without proper credentials was supposed to have been solved. At the time, the Atlanta Journal editorialized that "it will help stem the tide of future illegal entrants."

The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post all rhapsodized that Reagan's vision would be great for America.

So now we have four times as many illegal aliens waiting for another amnesty, with more coming every hour of the day.

With emotions running high, the federal government, never a tower of courage, does not seem able to fix the chaos. Most Americans understand that the vast majority of illegal immigrants simply want a better life and will work hard to get it. So I ask you, who wants to deny anyone a better life?

But by failing to institute standards of behavior in the immigration arena, the U.S. government puts us all at risk. There's no way on this earth that a four-time loser, in this country illegally, should have been driving around drunk. Didn't Allison and Tessa deserve to live? We have millions of Americans who drive around smashed--do we need to add to that number with insane "sanctuary" policies that protect criminal illegal aliens?

The power brokers in Virginia Beach were forced to do the right thing, but still don't believe they were ever wrong. How did things get so out of whack in America?

2007-05-01T21:40:00.000-06:00

CNN Newsroom -- May 1 Lou Dobbs: You have up on the title there, Immigration Nation, right? The fact of the matter is, I don't know what that means. Immigration nation. First we are a nation of laws. We're built on immigrants, but lawful immigrants. Ed Lavandera ... went on to refer to illegal aliens as immigrants, as if there is no distinction in our reporting as mainstream media between legal, lawful immigrants and illegal aliens... Mainstream media taking on what is effectively an agenda. Watch

2007-04-30T21:27:00.000-06:00

Hold Their Feet to the Fire Immigration Reform Event Called "Electrifying"
Last week, FAIR combined forces with 38 radio talk show hosts and several hundred activists in Washington, D.C. for Hold Their Feet to the Fire, a national drive for immigration reform. The event, which lasted from April 22, 2007 until April 25, 2007, employed the broad reach of talk radio to give voice to millions of Americans who oppose guest worker amnesty legislation. For three days, these top-rated talk show hosts from around the country aired their shows live from Capitol Hill while hundreds of activists walked the halls of Congress urging Members to increase border security, provide employer sanctions, and oppose any legislation that would grant amnesty to illegal aliens. Listeners who were unable to make the trek to the nation's capital also took part by calling in to the radio shows from home and offering their views on the dire need for true immigration reform.
The unprecedented gathering of talk radio in Washington, D.C. garnered national attention and received coverage from the print media, bloggers, and cable news networks, including a live report aired on CNN, in which Correspondent Lisa Sylvester described the energy as "electrifying." Summing up the event, FAIR president Dan Stein declared that Hold Their Feet to the Fire "represents a new age in the battle to control our borders. We are universal in our opposition to amnesty. Every immigrant must comply with immigration laws."
FAIR would like to thank all of the participating talk show hosts and our supporters and activists for making Hold Their Feet to the Fire a tremendous success!

Senators Introduce Legislation to Increase High-Tech Worker Visas
This month, two Senators moved towards expanding our already over-burdened immigration system by introducing legislation that would dramatically increase legal immigration. On April 11, 2007, Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) introduced the "High-Tech Worker Relief Act of 2007" (S. 1092). This legislation aims to significantly increase the number of H-1B visas and employment-based green cards issued each year. H1-B visas allow foreign workers with the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree or higher to be employed on a temporary basis by American companies. The 'High-Tech Worker Relief Act' increases the current H1-B visa cap from 65,000 in 2006 to 115,000 in fiscal year 2007, and increases the level to 195,000 for fiscal year 2008, before returning the cap to 65,000 for fiscal year 2009 and beyond.
In addition to expanding the number of H-1B visas, S.1092 dramatically expands the number of green cards available to foreign workers. The bill eliminates the cap on employment-based green cards for aliens who have a graduate degree in math or science (from a foreign or U.S. university) so long has they have been working in a related field in the United States under a nonimmigrant visa for 3 years preceding their application. S.1092 also exempts immediate family members of employment-based immigrants from the cap.
The same week, Senator Cornyn, (R-TX) introduced S.1083, entitled the "Securing Knowledge, Innovation, and Leadership Act of 2007." The bill, commonly referred to as the SKIL bill, is similar to legislation Senator Cornyn introduced in the 109th Congress. S.1083 would dramatically increase the number H-1B visas, the number of employment-based green cards and would make it easier for foreign students studying math or sciences to permanently stay in the United States and compete with American workers.

ICE Conducts Immigration Raid In the Chicago Area
Last week, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers conducted a sweep of the Little Village neighborhood in Chicago, targeting a major document fraud ring that catered to illegal aliens. The raid took place Tuesday, April 23, 2007 when ICE officials received search warrants for four locations and apprehended 22 individuals for producing counterfeit documents—ten of whom were already fugitives. In doing so, ICE put an end to a multi-million dollar business.
According to the complaint filed, the fraudulent document organization originated in Mexico and sources have indicated that the ring may be based in other U.S. cities. "These ICE arrests represent a significant setback to one of the largest and most sophisticated illegal document fraud rings in the United States," said Elissa Brown, special agent in charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in Chicago to The Courier News. Of particular concern to ICE, she added, was that these fraudulent documents assist terrorists and criminals blend into society.
Despite the agency's success, ICE's tactics have come under fire from officials who believe that the federal law enforcement agency is using excessive force while conducting immigration sweeps. "I support our government's efforts to crack down on violence and document fraud," said Judiciary Chairman John Conyers (D-MI) in a release. "But the 'round-up' fashion in which this raid was conducted is of great concern." Congressman Luis Gutierrez - sponsor of the Flake-Gutierrez guest worker amnesty legislation - added, "Constituents we talked to described a war zone…." Both Gutierrez and Conyers are seeking meetings with ICE officials to discuss the matter further.

House Members Introduce Legislation to Limit Mexican Trucks in the U.S.
Bush Administration officials are moving full steam ahead with a pilot program to allow Mexican trucks to deliver goods all across the United States - possibly within the next few weeks - spurring numerous efforts to stop the program before it begins. Currently, trucks domiciled in Mexico are restricted from traveling beyond 20-25 mile "commercial zones", where they are unloaded and placed on American trucks for final delivery. The Bush Administration's plan to open U.S. borders to up to 100 Mexican trucking companies has been met with stiff opposition from consumer, environmental, labor and immigration groups.
The pilot program has also received criticism on Capitol Hill, where several Members are working hard to narrow its reach. To that end, House Member and Presidential hopeful Duncan Hunter (R-CA) introduced H.R. 1756, entitled "The North American Free Trade Agreement Safety Act". This bill would prohibit the trucking pilot program from commencing until specific safety and security conditions are met. "The NAFTA Trucking Safety Act rightfully applies to Mexican truckers the same rules and regulations applied to American truckers, preventing unqualified and inexperienced motor carriers from traveling the highways and roads within our communities," Hunter said. "If Mexican truckers cannot meet these requirements, then they should not be granted access into the United States."
In particular, the legislation:
Requires the Secretary of Transportation to publish a list of all Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations in the Federal Register, and provide information on how Mexican carriers, trucks and drivers will be required to comply.
Grants law enforcement personnel the ability to access driver, criminal and security databases to verify a cross-border drivers' risk to homeland security.
Requires the Secretary of Transportation to submit plans to Congress on ways to enforce English language proficiency - as already required by law.
Congresswoman Nancy Boyda (D-KS) has also introduced legislation to improve the accountability of the Department of Transportation in implementing the trucking pilot program. The "Safe American Roads Act of 2007" (H.R. 1773) seeks to improve transparency in the program by requiring the Department of Transportation follow existing rules on pilot programs that mandate proposing guidelines and allowing public comment before the program begins. Additionally, the bill seeks to prevent Mexican trucks from traveling beyond the 25-mile commercial zone until such point as a reciprocal program allows American trucks to deliver loads beyond commercial zones in Mexico. H.R. 1773 expressly terminates the pilot program after one year.
Despite this legislative activity in the House, it is unclear whether the Bush Administration's trucking pilot program will be halted in time. Speaking to the San Diego Union Tribune, House Transportation Committee Spokesman Jim Berard said, "At least on the House side, there doesn't appear to be any momentum toward any kind of fast-moving legislation to stop the program." Meanwhile, several organizations, including Public Citizen, the Sierra Club, the Environmental Law Foundation, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, the Brotherhood of Teamsters' Auto and Truck Drivers Local 70 and the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, have filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration in federal court. The groups are seeking an injunction requiring the these agencies either to provide public notice of the pilot program and an opportunity for public comment - or to set aside the pilot project as unlawful.

Recent Floor Statements
Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D-IN) commented on Introduction Of The Legal Employee Verification Act (April 19, 2007)
Rep. Sam Johnson (R-TX) commented on Immigration (April 18, 2007)
Rep. Jon Tester (D-MT) commented on Real Id Act (April 17, 2007)
Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX) commented on Open Border Chaos (April 17, 2007)
Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) commented on The Farm Labor Recruitment System (April 17, 2007)
Sen. Craig Thomas (R-WY) commented on Working Together (April 17, 2007)

2007-04-28T00:05:00.002-06:00

WorldNetDaily.comFeds threaten Texas over superhighway funds planThe Federal Highway Administration has threatened Texas with the loss of federal highway funds if the state continues with its legislative plan for a two-year funding moratorium on construction of the Trans-Texas Corridor. -- In the 4-page letter, FHWA Chief Counsel James D. Ray advises Michael Behrens, executive director of...

Miami HeraldMiami activist opposes push for invader amnestyT. Willard Fair, an ally of former Gov. Jeb Bush, is the new face of opposition to proposals like one championed by President Bush to allow [illegal aliens... criminals] to gain citizenship. -- Fair, president of the Urban League of Greater Miami, is appearing in ads in The Washington Post and RollCall, a Capitol Hill newspaper, saying...

Brownsville HeraldBank celebrates agreement with corrupt MexicansFirst National Bank in collaboration with the local Consulate of Mexico office in Brownsville will partner to offer Mexican nationals more convenience in finding a financial institution. -- Information on First National Bank's products and services will be available at the Consulate and on selected days, First National Bank representatives...

KTVK -- PhoenixPreliminary hearing set for agent in border deathA May 17th preliminary court hearing was set today for a southern Arizona Border Patrol agent facing criminal prosecution in the fatal January shooting of an illegal [alien... criminal] from Mexico. -- The justice court hearing in Douglas will determine whether there's probable cause to try agent Nicholas Corbett.

2007-04-28T00:05:00.001-06:00

Glenn Spencer -- American Border PatrolMisreading and Misleading According to a report by the Associated Press, "Congress has approved 700 miles of fence for the border and has allowed officials to decide whether to build metal fences or virtual walls." It goes on to say, "Aguilar expects most of the distance will be covered by the virtual barrier, with metal walls kept to a minimum." The report implies that Aguilar believes the Secure Fence Act of 2006 gives the Secretary of Homeland Defense the option of building a physical fence or a "virtual fence." If so, he is wrong

2007-04-21T22:08:00.001-06:00

Lou Dobbs Tonight -- CNN -- April 20Sheinkoff: Absurd for the nation's chief law enforcement officer to be acting and speaking in the language of someone who is appearing before a panel investigating him, kind of ridiculous. He was like a little boy on a scavenger hunt, trying to pick up pieces of the clues as he went along with no clear way to find himself out of the problem.Dobbs: Senator Jeff Sessions, a Republican stalwart, if there is one, he looked like he couldn't stand the smell in the room.Goodwin: I think the Republicans are really suffering from Alberto Gonzales and they know it.Rollins: Absolutely. This issue here is here's a man who obviously may be a decent man, maybe a friend of the president. But he's incompetent. Watch Segments -1- / -2- / -3-Transcript* Apologies to Ronald ReaganPapers call for Gonzo's resignation

2007-04-21T00:32:00.000-06:00

Lou Dobbs Tonight -- CNN -- April 19 Malveaux: And again, the White House reiterating that the president himself has full confidence in Gonzales. Now, Lou, you mentioned a very good point, which is, privately, the story is very different from sources inside this building, outside the building, people involved in discussions regarding Gonzales. Very discouraged, very disappointed by his testimony. Some even saying that -- two senior White House aides describing this as Gonzales going down in flames, that he wasn't doing himself any favors, predictable. One prominent Republican described the testimony as this way: "watching clubbing a baby seal." Watch Gonzo / Border Violence / Oklahoma / Loyalty Transcript

2007-04-21T00:11:00.000-06:00

Event Participants

If you signed up but did not receive your lobby team assignment, or didn't pre-register but would like to lobby Monday-Wednesday, please stop by the registration table before or after lobby training on Sunday, which starts at noon at the Phoenix Park Hotel. If you pre-paid for the reception on Tuesday, you will get your tickets when pick up your name badge from the registration table.

Agenda and Event Information

The four day schedule of activities includes a Capitol Hill Lobbying Campaign organizing hundreds of participants who will visit their legislators urging them to oppose illegal alien amnesty and push for stronger border enforcement. Additional press conferences, live interviews with Congressmen and Senators, blogger's row, receptions and special events are planned to put radio hosts, listeners, and hundreds of activists together at the front lines of the illegal alien amnesty debate.
Read the full event agenda.

Sunday Events

The Rally to Demand Secure Borders and Enforcement of Our Immigration Law sponsored by the Dustin Inman Society will start at 3:30 at Lafayette Park, which is between H St. and Pennsylvania Ave., just north of the White House.
Important Rally Rules from the Dustin Inman Society, which is sponsoring the rally.

"To simplify the rules . . . think about it this way: Nothing except your shoes should touch the ground with the single exception of a sign that is within three feet of your person. Please do not bring anything in a box NO TRIPODS, NO BOXES, NO CHAIRS, OR BALLOONS. Please, DO NOT GET MORE THAN THREE FEET AWAY FROM YOUR SIGN IF YOU PUT IT DOWN"
Read the full rules at the Dustin Inman Society site.
Will there be counter-demonstrators?
It is likely that there will be some counter-demonstrators on Sunday. The Park Police and other law enforcement will be on-site regardless of whether illegal immigration supporters show up.

Driving directions - use http://www.fairus.org/site/R?i=AKIT4hWjA5tCbdiwPzbYWg..and type in Lafayette Park, DCMetro (Subway) - http://www.fairus.org/site/R?i=XnyFBIC7C6Bp5laHUjUZ4Q..- the McPherson Square stop is close to the White House

Pre-Registration Closed!

If you are planning on joining us in Washington DC for this event, our website registration is closed. At this time, if you are planning on lobbying Congress Mon-Wed, please visit the registration table at the Phoenix Park Hotel to sign up starting Sunday, at 10:00 AM. Also, if you plan on attending the benefit reception for Border Agents Ramos and Compean we have closed on-line registration. There are still spots available at the reception, and you can pay in advance by visiting our registration/information table at the Phoenix Park Hotel.

Transportation

We reccomend using the subway here as the best method for getting in and out of the District - public garages in downtown D.C. will typically charge $20 or more per day. Visit the PMI Parking Site for DC to locate a garage. Not all garages are open on a Sunday. One PMI facility that is open is the one at 1325 G. St. 202-785-9191. FAIR is not officially recommending one parking facility for rally participants, however the G. St. location is relatively close to the White House.

How to Help from Home

Read FAIR's suggestions for how to have an impact if you aren't able to attend the events in DC, including calls and visits to your local district office, as well as discussing the event on your personal blog in coordination with Blogger's Row at Feet to the Fire.

2007-04-19T20:26:00.000-06:00

Hold Their Feet to the Fire Begins Sunday and We Need Your Help From Home!Please Call Your Members and Urge Them to Participate!

Sunday April 22nd through Wednesday April 25, FAIR will be holding its national drive for immigration reform called "Hold Their Feet to the Fire" here in Washington D.C. The event is intended to convene talk radio, lawmakers, and activists to discuss the importance of true immigration reform and to oppose guest worker amnesty legislation.

This year's event promises to be SPECTACULAR with at least 35 radio show hosts broadcasting LIVE from Capitol Hill this Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. This event may be the largest gathering of talk radio ever in Washington D.C. and will include hosts from many of the top-rated shows in the country! Many Members have signed up to be guests on these radio shows next week, but we need more. It seems some Members are not willing to talk about immigration reform unless it is in back-room strategy sessions. In contrast, we would like you to CALL YOUR MEMBERS (Representatives and Senators) and URGE them to sign up as radio guests to talk publicly about their position on guest worker amnesty legislation.

Time is running out! Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has said he is reserving the last two weeks of May to debate guest worker amnesty legislation on the Senate floor. House leaders have said they plan to have guest worker amnesty legislation on the House floor sometime in July. Please CALL YOUR MEMBERS and tell them you would like them to go on the radio and tell the American people where they stand. If they tell you they have already signed up, please thank them and let them know you will be listening.

To find the phone numbers of your Members, click here. If the staff person you talk to asks you for details, please refer them to our website, http://www.fairus.org/site/R?i=yMHoqlsk4B9dSM5GeqcuIw... All of the event information is accessible via the homepage.

In addition, FAIR would like to sincerely thank our members and activists who have signed up to join us here in Washington D.C. for the grassroots lobbying effort that will take place as the radio shows are broadcasting. For those of you who cannot come to D.C., you can still join us and make a tremendous difference by tuning in next week to the dozens of radio shows that will be participating in Hold Their Feet to the Fire. To see a list of the shows and stations, click here.

2007-04-17T22:33:00.000-06:00

Daniel Sheehy -- VDare.comChertoff, Gutierrez, Rice: Plotting Bush's North American Union ...Since that March 23, 2005 meeting in Waco, when Bush agreed to end American sovereignty after 230 years of independence, Chertoff, Carlos Gutierrez, and Rice have met a number of times with their counterparts from Mexico and Canada to discuss the tri-national merger. The last meeting was on February 23, 2007 in Ottawa. Chertoff, Carlos Gutierrez, Rice, and their counterparts in Mexico and Canada signed the SPP's 2005 and 2006 "Report to Leaders," which I take to my speaking engagements. These one-inch-thick reports detail progress made on the merger with regard to transportation, energy, the environment, food and agriculture, health, law enforcement, "facilitating" the movement of people and goods, and other areas of our daily lives....

2007-04-16T22:48:00.000-06:00

Bush Travels to Border to Renew Call for Guest Worker Amnesty Legislation
Last week, President Bush traveled to the border city of Yuma, Arizona to tout his border security credentials while renewing his call for guest worker amnesty legislation. Speaking to a gathering of Border Patrol Agents, the President once again beat the drum for "comprehensive immigration reform", saying:

You cannot fully secure the border until we take pressure off the border. And that requires a temporary worker program. It seems to make sense to me that if you've got people coming here to do jobs Americans aren't doing, we need to figure out a way that they can do so in a legal basis for a temporary period of time.

The President also argued that the government must resolve the status of the estimated 11-12 million illegal aliens currently in the U.S., but said that those illegal aliens should not be given amnesty. "Amnesty," the President said, "is the forgiveness of an offense without penalty." To read the President's speech in full, click here.

Interestingly, President Bush's speech made no mention of the recently leaked White House proposal that would create three new guest worker programs—one intended to grant illegal aliens amnesty, and the other two intended to bring in hundreds of thousands of foreign workers, both high and low-skilled. President Bush, however, did say he was working closely with Republicans and Democrats to find a compromise position and that he intended to sign comprehensive immigration reform legislation into law before the end of the year.

At this point, it is unclear whether President Bush's attempt to sell Congress on guest worker amnesty legislation will be successful. Nearly 100 members of the House of Representatives recently sent a joint letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi urging her not to bring guest worker amnesty legislation to the floor. And it seems that Speaker Pelosi is beginning to feel pressure, as the Washington Post reports that Pelosi informed the White House that the President must produce at least 70 Republican votes for comprehensive immigration legislation before she will bring it to the House floor. Getting those votes may prove difficult as the public is putting increasing pressure on Members to oppose amnesty.

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Illegal Aliens Face IRS but Evade Homeland Security
A growing number of illegal aliens are rushing to beat the April 17 deadline for filing their taxes as they ready themselves for guest worker amnesty to be passed in Congress. Illegal aliens, using individual taxpayer identification numbers (ITINs) in lieu of Social Security numbers, are looking to make things right in hopes that "filing a tax return will eventually boost their chances of securing a green card," according to the Wall Street Journal.

ITINs, which are given out regardless of immigration status, were created by the IRS in 1996 to accommodate taxpayers ineligible for a Social Security number, such as foreign nationals with tax reporting requirements in the U.S. Since 1996, the agency has issued nearly 11 million ITINs, including roughly 1.5 million issued in 2006 alone. According to the Wall Street Journal, the government does not know how many of those taxpayers were illegal aliens, but most people who use the numbers are believed to be in the U.S. illegally.

The Wall Street Journal argues that the increasing use of ITINs by illegal aliens filing tax returns shows how some of the workers who are here in defiance of one arm of the U.S. government - the Department of Homeland Security - are filing federal tax returns with the aggressive encouragement of another - the Internal Revenue Service. "If someone is working without authorization in this country, he or she is not absolved of tax liability," IRS Commissioner Mark Everson stated in testimony before Congress. And during a National Press Club event, the IRS Commissioner expressed it this way: "We want your money whether you are here legally or not and whether you earned it legally or not."

The IRS estimates that between 1996 and 2003, the government has collected approximately $50 billion from individuals who filed with a taxpayer number; however, using ITINs to file tax returns also allows low-wage illegal immigrants to receive substantial refunds paid for by the taxes of American workers. "It makes illegals seem more embedded in U.S. society," said Steve Camarota, Director of Research at the Center of Immigration Studies. "It just creates a greater contempt for immigration law."

To compound the problems, federal law prevents the IRS from disclosing taxpayer information to the Department of Homeland Security, essentially requiring the IRS to look the other way when it receives tax information that suggests fraudulent activity (either by employers or illegal aliens). These roadblocks have created frustration by concerned citizens and organizations alike. Mark Krikorian, Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies told the Wall Street Journal, "A major organ of the U.S. government is saying it's OK to be illegal as long as you send in your return."

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Study Shows Illegal Aliens Given a Free Pass for Crossing the Mexican Border
A recently released Syracuse University study added further support to the notion that most illegal aliens cross into the United States without punishment. According to the analysis of federal data, 98 percent of illegal aliens who crossed the border between October 1, 2000, and September 30, 2005 (nearly 5.3 million illegal aliens) were not prosecuted after being apprehended. Although nearly a million illegal alien arrests are made every year, virtually all of the arrested aliens are escorted to the border and freed without consequence. Commenting on the study to the Associated Press, Kathleen Walker, President-Elect of the American Immigration Lawyers Association said that the likelihood of an illegal immigrant being prosecuted is "to me, practically zero."

The struggle to punish illegal border crossers has been noted by numerous other sources. Last year, for example, a publication for the federal courts described the courts along the southwest border as in "crisis mode," contending with criminal caseloads that have skyrocketed since the late 1990s. It states: "A person who enters the United States illegally to look for work and has no other criminal charge pending typically may be "voluntarily returned" to Mexico more than a dozen times before facing the charge of illegal entry. Some did not get into federal court until they amassed 60 voluntary returns." (emphasis added). To read the full newsletter article, click here.

Justice Department officials defend this practice by asserting that if every illegal immigrant were prosecuted, it would drain department resources as well as overshadow more important investigations. "When you consider the other high-priority laws that the department is charged with enforcing, such as drug trafficking, firearms offenses, violent crime, national security, child pornography, and corporate fraud, the department is achieving a balance of immigration enforcement with other important areas," said Justice Department spokesman Dean Boyd to the Associated Press. Under current law, a first offense is considered a misdemeanor - punishable by a fine and up to six months in prison, and a subsequent offense is supposed to carry up to two years of imprisonment.

---

Poll Shows Americans Want More Enforcement of Immigration Laws
Last week, Zogby released the results of a poll conducted March 22-26 to gauge Americans' attitudes toward issues related to illegal immigration, such as enforcement and government-run day labor sites for illegal aliens. Overall, the poll shows that most Americans favor increased enforcement of U.S. immigration laws.

Specifically, the results of the nationwide poll show that a 66 percent majority of voters believe that more emphasis should be placed on law enforcement with regard to illegal immigration, while 24 percent feel that current enforcement levels should remain the same. In addition, 72 percent of respondents said they believe local law enforcement officers should help enforce federal immigration laws - including 40 percent of Hispanics. Finally, 79 percent of respondents said they feel public officials should not utilize taxpayer funds to operate day labor sites that aid illegal aliens, including 71.9 percent of Hispanics.

"The American people speak with one voice on the topic of illegal immigration. Virtually every voter demographic - even those supposedly most sympathetic to illegal aliens - want our illegal immigration laws to be strictly enforced," said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton. "Overwhelmingly, the American people want local officials to help address illegal immigration through law enforcement, not taxpayer subsidies and 'sanctuary' policies."

Hold Their Feet to the Fire 2007 Set to Bring 34 Radio Talk Shows and Hundreds of Listeners to Washington (April 11, 2007)
Bush Immigration Speech Calls for Same Old Illegal Alien Amnesty (April 9, 2007)

2007-04-16T21:40:00.000-06:00

C-SPAN 3/14/07 Tancredo: We are balkanizing America. We are destroying the concept of citizenship itself. America, indeed, Western Civilization, is in a crisis. We are the last best hope of that civilization. And that hope is being sold to the highest bidder in Washington. People everywhere ask me - what can they do? Every time I get done with a speech, somebody comes up to me and says what can I do? You've got me all riled up about this issue, what can I do? And I always say everything.... Well, when I asked myself that question, that same question, what can I do? - the answer to me is, I will run for president of the United States. Watch

2007-04-15T23:13:00.000-06:00

One Man Nation-Wrecking Crew Peter Schey has taken treason to a new level for "fun and profit." He represents the worst of those who would deconstruct our nation. He won the case that made us educate anyone who got into the country. Then he killed the law that would have reversed this decision. Now he is working to get amnesty for all illegal aliens. Peter Schey is truly a One Man National-Wrecking crew and he is working to advance George Bush's agenda. Now he is heading up a $4-million national lobbying campaign to gain amnesty for illegal aliens. Click here to read the plan.

2007-04-14T22:33:00.000-06:00

Lou Dobbs Tonight -- CNN -- April 13Lisa Sylvester: Georgia has seen a spike in its illegal alien population in the past five years. State Senator Chip Rogers says its been a drain on the state's schools, hospitals and highways. He says illegal immigration has also undercut U.S. wages and shut out Americans from good-paying jobs.Rogers: Simply stated, right now, if you violate our immigration laws as it pertains to employment you are rewarded in the economic marketplace. If you comply with the law sometimes you're punished in the economic marketplace. And we really can't have that. Watch * Economics, the Dismal Science

2007-04-13T22:17:00.000-06:00

Candidate to Meet His Supporters Tom Tancredo, the Colorado Congressman who has led the fight against illegal immigration in the House of Representatives will be feted at a border cookout on a Hereford Arizona border ranch this May 4 at 5 p.m. Others attending include former Chief Border Patrol Agent Bill King and Col. Chuck Floyd (ret.), former presidential appointee for international embassy security. "I urge Tom's friends from across the Southwest to show him support by coming to the border on May 4," said Glenn Spencer, host of the event. Supporters are urged to distribute this flyer far and wide. ( PDF version)

2007-04-12T18:33:00.000-06:00

Immigration Anarchy

By Bill O'Reilly for BillOReilly.com
Thursday, April 12, 2007

My friend Geraldo Rivera and I had quite the verbal shootout the other day over the needless deaths of Allison Kunhardt, 17, and Tessa Tranchant, 16, in Virginia. 22-year-old Alfredo Ramos, an illegal alien from Mexico, killed the girls when he slammed into their car while drunk.

Ramos had three previous alcohol-related convictions and an identity theft beef as well. Despite all the criminal activity, the feds had no idea Ramos was even in the country because Virginia Beach is a "Sanctuary City" and its police chief, Alfred Jacocks, had ordered his officers not to ask about immigration status when dealing with most criminals.

Judge Colon Whitehurst didn't care that Ramos was illegal, either. He released him with only a $250 fine after Ramos pleaded guilty to a DUI, his fourth conviction. In some cities you pay that much if your car is towed. Oh yeah, Judge Whitehurst also suspended Ramos' drivers license even though he didn't have one.

The result of this incredibly irresponsible behavior on the part of Judge Whitehurst and the Virginia Beach authorities is that Allison and Tessa are dead.

My argument is that coddling criminal illegal aliens is unconscionable. Geraldo disagreed, saying the story was about drunk driving, not illegal immigration. I parried with a simple question: Is it okay with you that an illegal alien remains in the United States with four criminal convictions?

Geraldo did not answer that question.

There is no question in my mind that we now have anarchy regarding illegal immigration in this country. Our four most populous cities, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Houston, all have "Sanctuary" policies in place, as do scores of other places. Thus, criminal aliens can avoid detection by Homeland Security in many parts of the nation.

This, of course, is insane. Think about it--the open border and blanket amnesty crowd are actually promoting a society where not only do we have to deal with American criminals, we have to accept the criminal behavior of foreign nationals as well.

A sane immigration policy would deport any illegal immigrant who committed any crime while in the USA. I understand that most undocumented workers are good people, and I believe in a fair guest worker program. I would even allow millions of illegal aliens to stay in this country while authorities investigated their situations. Pathway to citizenship? Sure, if undocumented workers are productive and law abiding, and prove that over a number of years. But there should be zero tolerance for criminal illegal
aliens. They have to go.

However, some Americans oppose that. Writing in the Denver Post, TV critic Joanne Ostrow accused me of using the deaths of Allison and Tessa to "spew racist bile."

This is the tactic that has many politicians cowering. If you oppose immigration chaos, you are a racist.

I wonder what the families of the two Denver police officers shot last year by a scofflaw illegal alien think about Ostrow's analysis? One of those policemen, Donald Young, died from his wounds.

Finally, I respect that Geraldo Rivera wants to protect people who are basically defenseless. But anarchy leads to death. The nearly 500 illegal aliens who died trying to cross American deserts last year were not done any favors by the "compassionate" crowd that looks the other way on immigration chaos.

America needs strong leadership to protect Allison, Tessa, the Denver cops, and those poor people dying in the desert. And we are not getting it.

2007-04-12T11:33:00.000-06:00

Lou Dobbs Tonight -- CNN -- April 11 Fitton: These poll results also show a disconnect between the views of the American people and the views of the Washington elite, both Democrat and Republicans, many of whom really don't want to enforce the laws and are thinking of ways to deal with the illegal immigration crisis through amnesty.[...] Steve Levy, Suffolk County Executive: It's our local taxpayers who have to foot the bill for tens of millions of dollars for the illegal alien population within our schools, within our emergency rooms, within overcrowded housing, and in our correctional facilities. So our folks are saying, hey, whatever you can do within your limited jurisdiction on a local level, do it. Transcript

2007-04-11T14:16:00.000-06:00

Lou Dobbs Tonight -- CNN -- April 10 Dobbs: New developments in the congressional investigation into the firings of eight U.S. attorneys. The House Judiciary Committee has subpoenaed documents from Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. Committee chairman Congressman John Conyers says he has run out of patience with the Justice Department. After weeks of negotiation, his committee says it still has not received the documents and e-mails requested. The Justice Department doesn't say whether it will comply with that subpoena, but in a statement, the Justice Department did say, "It's unfortunate Congress would choose this option."Transcript

2007-04-10T23:03:00.000-06:00

Accused Rapist Captured

A man wanted for raping an 11-year-old girl in Syracuse has been caught. Detectives say 22-year-old Benito Martinez was captured by police in Castle Rock, Colorado.

Police say Martinez raped an 11-year-old girl while staying at a home with 5 different families living in it. They say a family member walked in on Martinez having sex with the victim.

Police quickly issued a warrant for his arrest, which led to his capture Tuesday evening in Colorado.

2007-04-10T22:56:00.000-06:00

List of American sanctuary cities
April 5, 2007

As of August 2006, cities and counties that have sanctuary policies include:

Anchorage, AK
Fairbanks, AK
Chandler, AZ
Phoenix, AZ2
Fresno, CA
Los Angeles, CA
National City, CA4
San Diego, CA
San Francisco, CA
Sonoma County, CA
Evanston, IL
Chicago, IL3
Cicero, IL
Cambridge, MA
Orleans, MA
Portland, ME
Baltimore, MD
Takoma Park, MD
Ann Arbor, MI
Detroit, MI
Minneapolis, MN
Newark, NJ1
Trenton, NJ1
Durham, NC
Albuquerque, NM
Aztec, NM
Rio Arriba, County, NM
Sante Fe, NM
New York, NY
Ashland, OR
Gaston, OR
Marion County, OR
Austin, TX
Houston, TX
Katy, TX
Virginia Beach, VA
Seattle, WA
Madison, WI

2007-04-10T13:58:00.000-06:00

Lou Dobbs Tonight -- CNN -- April 9Bush: People who meet a reasonable number of conditions and pay a penalty of time and money should be able to apply for citizenship. Schneider: The Democrats running for president tend to agree with Mr. Bush. Obama: That everybody who lives within those borders has the right to a life that is full of opportunity. Schneider: Republican candidates are split down the middle. Five oppose a path to citizenship. Tancredo: We're going to make them explain why they have decided that maybe amnesty is a good idea. Watch Bush / Mexico / Sheriff / Candidates Transcript

2007-04-10T09:24:00.000-06:00

Bill O'Reilly Tells it like it is!

2007-04-10T09:20:00.000-06:00

Heritage Study Suggests Amnesty Will Have a Staggering Price Tag

Last week, the Heritage Foundation released a report on the fiscal impacts of low skilled workers that is sure to have major influence on the immigration debate. In the study, researchers found that low skilled workers, defined as those without a high school diploma, will cost the United States $3.9 trillion over the ten years. This estimate is based on the fact that low-skilled workers (whether citizens or immigrants) have historically received the greatest bulk of government services - including Medicaid, food stamps, public housing and other forms of welfare. In fact, the Heritage report estimates that each low skilled household annually receives $22,449 more in benefits than it pays in taxes. When taking into account that 9 percent of native born Americans and 25 percent of legal aliens lack a high school diploma, the Heritage Foundation arrived at its trillion dollar estimate.

The Heritage Foundation study did not take into account illegal aliens in the U.S., who are generally ineligible for federal government benefits. However, the study suggests that if Congress grants amnesty to the 11-20 million illegal aliens, such a move would come with a staggering price tag. Granting amnesty would make newly legalized aliens eligible for all of the benefits the U.S. welfare system has to offer. That, coupled with the fact that 50 percent of the illegal alien population is low skilled (with an annual net cost of $22,449 per household), means that the cost would well exceed $3.9 trillion.

The Washington Times described several Members' reactions to the release of the Heritage Foundation study. "It should serve as a warning to President Bush and lawmakers proposing to give illegal aliens a so-called path to citizenship or what critics call amnesty," said Lamar Smith (R-TX), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee. "We need to make sure any legislation does not further strain government services and taxpayers' wallets." House Immigration Reform Caucus Chairman Brian Bilbray (R-CA) mirrored Smith's sentiments: "The Heritage Foundation report proves what we already know, that illegal immigration is a drain to the American people….At more than $22,000 [net cost per household] a year, it's like having the American taxpayers buy everyone who doesn't have a high school diploma a brand new Ford Mustang convertible."

Hundreds of Illegal Aliens Arrested in ICE Crackdown

In a two-week long operation ending last week, Federal Agents arrested 359 illegal aliens in the southern California's North and Imperial Counties. The immigration enforcement effort, which began March 20, was part of Operation Return to Sender, a Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) initiative meant to arrest and deport fugitives and illegal aliens.

According to the North County Times, the arrests netted violators from 15 countries, including 50 illegal aliens with criminal records for violations including child sex offenses, robbery and drug violations. Moreover, 61 of the arrested illegal aliens were fugitives who ignored deportation orders issued by immigration judges. An additional 39 of the arrested were previously deported from the United States. "All these individuals had their day in court," Rob Baker, head of the ICE operation stated to the San Diego Union-Tribune. "They had a final order of removal and they chose to ignore the judge's order."

The Union Tribune reports that while the operation was successful in removing criminal aliens, it nevertheless received criticism from Latino advocacy groups in the area. "Folks really felt they were being victimized by these agents," said Christian Ramirez with the American Friends Service Committee. "At least four families were left without the breadwinner." In response to the criticism, Mr. Baker said, "We're not stopping people on the street. We're not busting doors down." Baker did say, however, that ICE agents were not going to look the other way. "If they're in this country in violation of the law, we're going to deport them," he said.

Dozens of Members Sign Letter to House Speaker Pelosi to Urging Her to Block Amnesty Legislation

In a pre-emptive strike to stop guest worker amnesty legislation, a coalition of 97 Representatives sent a letter last week to Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) urging her to oppose efforts to put the estimated 12 million illegal aliens in the U.S. on a path to citizenship. The letter read: "Amnesty hurts vulnerable American workers, burdens American taxpayers, and rewards lawbreakers…And it tells all those who have patiently waited abroad for their turn to come to the United States that they are foolish."

Commenting on the letter to the Speaker, Immigration Reform Caucus Chairman Brian Bilbray (R-CA) said, "Repeating the failed policies of the past will only induce the problem of illegal immigration in America….Rewarding illegal behavior sends the wrong message to the millions of people around the world waiting their turn to legally come to the United States - what part of illegal don't people understand?" Congressman Lamar Smith (R-TX), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, stated, "Proposals that grant amnesty to illegal immigrants only encourage others to enter illegally. Such legislation would create an endless stream of guest workers who drive down wages and take the jobs of American workers, including legal immigrants."

Both Speaker Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) have pledged to pass some form of immigration reform before the August recess of Congress. While it is unclear at this point which proposal will ultimately be considered on the House floor, many Members are concerned that back-door negotiations will place guest worker amnesty legislation - much like the unsuccessful 1986 amnesty - on the fast track for passage in Congress. Indeed, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has already declared he will set aside time during the second half of May to debate a guest worker amnesty bill on the Senate floor.

Fourteen Travel Agents Caught Smuggling Illegal Aliens
Fourteen Arizona travel agents were indicted on various felony charges following a yearlong investigation by the Arizona Financial Crimes Task Force on the agents' roles in facilitating the entry of illegal aliens into the United States. The charges - including human smuggling, racketeering, conspiracy, and money laundering - were filed after undercover state law enforcement agents posed as smugglers and went to the travel agencies to arrange flights for customers they identified as illegal aliens. "It was not simply the act of selling the ticket, but actually doing so while they were aware its use is to smuggle a human being," said Andrei Chery, the Arizona Assistant Attorney General in charge of the case.
The travel agents not only produced plane tickets for the supposed illegal aliens, but also coached the 'smugglers' on ways the aliens could best fool airport security - and even suggested places where they could obtain fake identity documents. "They were so blatant about it because they hadn't been touched," Phoenix Police Lt. Vince Piano said to the Associated Press. "They would say, 'OK, you need to dress them like this. You need to walk them in through this. Does he have an ID?"
While the charges were based on the sale of tickets to undercover officers, the Associated Press reports that that the evidence indicated that the travel agents received more than $2 million since mid-2005, covering an estimated 6,800 illegal aliens. State law enforcement officials suggest that the increased use of air travel for illegal aliens is due to the fact that it is less risky than the long, perilous land trips.

2007-04-06T23:40:00.000-06:00

Associated PressChurch-housed invader goes on hunger strikeAn [illegal alien... criminal] taking refuge in a West Side church to avoid deportation announced plans Thursday for a 25- day hunger strike that is timed to coincide with Easter weekend. -- Elvira Arellano and her pastor, The Rev. Walter Coleman, will both go without food until May 1. They planned a final meal with community members...

2007-04-06T08:29:00.000-06:00

Lou Dobbs Tonight - CNN - April 5 Dobbs: New information tonight about the tremendous financial cost of our illegal alien crisis. A new report finds illegal aliens are costing the country $100 billion a year...[...] Rector:.. It's not just illegal immigration. It's the legal immigration system as well, is focused on bringing in people without a high school degree. And I would estimate that legal and illegal immigration is costing taxpayer through these low-skill immigrants about $100 billion a year. About a quarter of that total. Increasingly, the low-scale part of our population is a part that we're deliberately importing. We've imported over 11 million high school dropouts in the last 20 years. They cost the taxpayers a bundle. Watch States / Amnesty Transcr

2007-03-27T16:48:00.000-06:00

KTWX-TV -- WacoStudents warned about immigration protest walkoutsThe Dallas Independent School District is warning students they'll be punished if they repeat last year's immigration protest walkouts. -- About 10,000 students walked out of their classes a year ago to attend rallies protesting federal immigration policies...

2007-03-27T16:47:00.000-06:00

Lou Dobbs Tonight -- CNN -- March 26 Tucker: Now, papers obtained by the conservative group Judicial Watch under the Freedom of Information Act from the Department of Homeland Security show that many of our security policies, in fact, perhaps have already been coopted. In fact, it quotes Michael Chertoff in memos internally telling the department to align itself with the priorities and the values of SPP when it comes to security- related matters regarding Canada and Mexico. So, Kitty, clearly, this policy is pushing ahead and has huge momentum all on its own, and it's being ignored out in the states for the most part. Watch Transcript

2007-03-26T13:44:00.000-06:00

The Wait is Over - Guest Worker Amnesty Introduced in the House
After long negotiations and in-fighting, Representatives Jeff Flake (R-AZ) and Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) broke away from their Senate counterparts last Thursday to introduce a guest worker amnesty bill in the House of Representatives. H.R. 1645, or the STRIVE Act of 2007 (Security Through Regularized Immigration and a Vibrant Economy), offers amnesty to the estimated 12-20 million illegal aliens and provides big business with a future flow of cheap foreign labor though a guest worker program with a path to citizenship. The bill also makes improvements to border security efforts and provides for an employment eligibility verification system.

The guest worker portion of the bill creates a new type of worker visa, called an H-2C visa, that allows illegal aliens to stay in the U.S. for up to 6 years so long as they can:

establish employment;
pass a background check;
pass a medical examination; and
pay a $500 fee.
The H-2C program also allows these "guest workers" and their dependents to apply for permanent residency status and eventual citizenship. The program has an annual cap of 400,000 guest workers with an automatic escalator that can inflate the number to as many as 600,000.

The amnesty portion of the bill allows illegal aliens to apply for "conditional nonimmigrant status" by establishing that he or she was present and employed in the U.S. since June 1, 2006. The alien must also submit fingerprints, undergo a background check, and pay a $500 fine. Once granted conditional nonimmigrant status, the alien may obtain permanent residence status after six years by:

establishing employment;
paying of taxes (but only taxes owed for legal work);
paying $2,000 in fees and fines;
passing a background check;
meeting the citizenship requirements under current law; and
touching the border (see below).
This last requirement, called a "touchback" provision, only requires that sometime during the six year period of conditional nonimmigrant status the alien go to the border and reenter as a conditional nonimmigrant—the status they already have. There is no requirement that the alien actually return to his or her home country, undergo any new scrutiny, obtain any new documentation, or spend any meaningful time outside of the U.S. Indeed, Congressman Gutierrez was quoted in CongressDaily as saying the touchback provision could be accomplished "in a day." Spouses and dependents are excluded from the touchback requirement.

Section 5 of the bill provides that before the guest worker and amnesty provisions may be implemented, DHS must submit a certification to the President and Congress that: (1) DHS has submitted a report to Congress on the status of the Secure Border Initiative; (2) the systems and infrastructure necessary to carry out the provisions regarding immigration documents are ready for use; and (3) that employment verification for so-called "critical infrastructure employers" is implemented. Implementation of an employment eligibility verification system for the vast majority of employers is not a pre-requisite to the start of the guest worker or amnesty program.
As if the H-2C guest worker and amnesty programs were not sufficiently rewarding illegal behavior and opening the floodgates to cheap foreign labor, the STRIVE Act also more than doubles the number of H-1B visas and employment-based immigrant visas. The legislation also includes the AGJOBS bill, which grants amnesty to agricultural workers, and the DREAM Act, which grants amnesty to certain students.

Upon introduction, the STRIVE Act immediately came under fire by Members of Congress. Appearing on numerous cable news shows, Congressman Brian Bilbray (R-CA), Chairman of the House Immigration Reform Caucus, said the Flake-Gutierrez bill does nothing more than advertise to the world that United States is willing to make special accommodations for those who break the law. Congressman Tom Tancredo (R-CO) also condemned the bill, saying "The President and his new Democratic allies in Congress seem hell-bent on cramming this mass amnesty down the throats of the American people whether they want it or not."

Amnesty supporters, however, stood up for the bill. In an interview with the L.A. Times, Congressman Gutierrez commented, "This isn't about people coming here temporarily, working and then shipping them off," he said, "but about new workers incorporating themselves and, if they wish, integrating themselves fully and their families into the very fiber of American society." Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) applauded Gutierrez and Flake's decision to introduce their own bill. Kennedy issued a statement Tuesday saying, "While we're still negotiating in the Senate, I'm optimistic that we will have legislation soon."

Some are confident that the Flake-Gutierrez bill will suffer the same fate as S.2611, which passed the Senate last year. Mark Krikorian, Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies, told the Washington Post that he feels the Flake-Gutierrez bill will ultimately fail. "I don't think it has any more chance than the Senate bill did last year," he said. "The Democratic majority doesn't change things as much as you might think." Even Congressman Gutierrez told the Los Angeles Times that their chances of success would dim if the House and Senate did not pass their respective bills by July, because the approaching election year would make it harder. He also noted that the bill had to have bipartisan support to pass.

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Congressman Gingrey Takes Aim at Chain Migration
Congressman Phil Gingrey (R-GA) - along with 17 cosponsors - recently introduced H.R. 938, the 'Nuclear Family Priority Act.' The bill seeks to tackle the problem of chain migration caused by the provisions in current law allowing immigrants who become citizens to bring in extended family members, who in turn bring in their own extended family members, causing the number of immigrants to the United States to skyrocket. By eliminating the extended family preference categories in current law and replacing them with a single preference category for spouses and children of permanent resident aliens and citizens, H.R. 938 prioritizes the admission of nuclear family members while controlling the growth rate of immigration to the U.S.

Last Wednesday, Congressman Gingrey took to the House Floor to explain his concerns with chain migration. During Special Orders, Gingrey explained that the insanity of chain migration can result in one legal permanent resident over a short span of 17 years bringing in 273 people to the United States. Those 273 people then count against the quota for that country. Gingrey further pointed out that these extended family members are given priority over other qualified, skilled individuals seeking the opportunity to move to the United States, "[Chain migration] creates a backlog of visa applications….It allows genealogy, not job skills, not education, not English proficiency to determine who immigrates to our country. We just can't afford that."

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Senator Grassley Introduces Legislation to Improve Visa Revocation Process
Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) announced last week the introduction of S.913, legislation that closes the loophole allowing aliens to stay in the country after their visas have been revoked on security-related grounds. The bill is co-sponsored by Senator John Cornyn (R-TX).

Under current law, visas approved or denied by consular officers are non-reviewable and deemed final. However, if a visa is revoked and the individual is already on U.S. soil, the decision by the consular officer is reviewable in U.S. courts. This spawns endless litigation and makes deportation nearly impossible—despite the fact that if the visa had been denied overseas, the alien would not have access to the courts. Senator Grassley's bill would address this problem by treating visa revocations similar to visa denials.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) first exposed this loophole in June 2003 when it released a report showing that the FBI and intelligence community suspected over 200 visa applicants of having ties to terrorism but didn't share the information with U.S. consular officers in time. The consular officers granted the visas, but then had to revoke them. The GAO determined that even though the visas were revoked, because the visa holders were already on U.S. soil, immigration officials could not expeditiously remove the aliens.

Senator Grassley introduced similar legislation in 2004 and recently offered an amendment to the 9/11 bill that was debated in the Senate, but did not receive enough support to proceed to a final vote. In a released statement, Senator Grassley said, "This was a security amendment that the Democrats rejected during debate of the 9/11 bill. Fixing this problem and keeping the public safe is too important to let it get bogged down in political maneuvering. We live in a very different world and a pre-9/11 mindset isn't going to help keep terrorists out of the country."

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Former Deputy Sheriff Hernandez Sentenced
A federal judge sentenced Former Deputy Sheriff Guillermo 'Gilmer' Hernandez to one year and one day following a guilty verdict on charges that he had violated the civil rights of a smuggled illegal alien. In April 2005, Deputy Sheriff Hernandez was making what he thought to be a routine traffic stop; after asking the driver to step out of the vehicle, the driver sped off, putting Hernandez' life in danger. Citing a brief supplied on Hernandez' behalf by the Washington Legal Foundation, the Washington Times reported, "The driver of the vehicle attempted to run into him as it sped away with potentially dangerous occupants and cargo. In a split-second decision, he [Hernandez] shot at the left rear tire to disable the vehicle…the resulting minor injury to one of the occupants from a bullet fragment was not a serious one and certainly not an injury that was willfully inflicted."

The prosecution of Deputy Sheriff Hernandez has been decried by many as unjust. At trial, Sheriff Donald Lestinger stated that Hernandez "followed the letter of the law" in this case and added, "I have never had anything hurt me so badly as this prosecution. We've got to make this right." On the House floor, Congressman Ted Poe (R-TX) stated, "The Texas Rangers…made an independent investigation and determined that Deputy Hernandez acted lawfully and within the law when he fired his weapon. But then the Mexican government gets involved, and in their arrogance, demand in writing from their consulate general to our Federal Government that Deputy Hernandez be prosecuted."

According to a Los Angeles Times interview of defense attorney Jimmy Parks, Jr., "Although Dawson denied pleas for probation, the judge did deviate from federal sentencing guidelines that made the former deputy eligible for up to nine years in prison." Mr. Parks also indicated that he is planning to appeal the guilty verdict. Paul Kamenar, Senior Executive Counsel at the Washington Legal Foundation told the Los Angeles Times, "We're disappointed that the court did not impose probation…But we're glad that the court rejected the government's draconian recommendation that he serve approximately six years in prison."

Hernandez was prosecuted by the office of U.S. Attorney Johnny Sutton - the same prosecutor of the controversial case that landed former Border Patrol Agents Jose Alonso Compean and Ignacio Ramos in prison serving sentences over 10 years.

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Recent Floor Statements

Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX) commented on Deporting After Sixth Offense Five Too Many (March 23, 2007)
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) commented on Put Aside Partisanship To Pass Comprehensive Immigration Reform (March 23, 2007)
Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY) commented on Immigrant Entrepreneurship Fuels American Economic Growth (March 23, 2007)
Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-GA) commented on Immigration (March 21, 2007)
Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX) commented on Mexican Government Needs To Stay Out Of America's Business (March 21, 2007)
Rep. Walter Jones (R-NV) commented on 64th Day Of Incarceration For Border Patrol Agents Ramos And Compean (March 19, 2007)
Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) commented on Our Southern Border (March 19, 2007)
Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC) commented on Hearing Requested On Ramos And Compean Prosecution (March 19, 2007)
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Press Release
Important Questions About Amnesty Legislation Like the Gutierrez-Flake Bill (March 23, 2007)

2007-03-25T15:26:00.000-06:00

KTLA-TV -- Los AngelesImmigration marches in downtown LA, both sidesTwo marches representing both sides of the immigration issue are taking place in downtown Los Angeles today. -- Members of the March 25 Coalition and the nonprofit Hermandad Mexicana Nacional say they want reforms that will enable illegal [aliens... criminals] to stay in this county, more visas for family members..

2007-03-24T11:07:00.000-06:00

Lou Dobbs Tonight -- CNN -- March 23 Dobbs: ...An unmanned aircraft helped customs and border protection agents arrest a suspected child rapist. The drone was flying along, one just like this, flying along the Arizona border with Mexico this week when its surveillance camera and the people operating it spotted six illegal aliens. And after arresting and fingerprinting those six illegals, border agents that realized one of those men, a Mexican citizen, was wanted on child rape charges in the state of Washington. Watch UAV /Amnesty Transcript

2007-03-23T21:24:00.001-06:00

Lou Dobbs Tonight -- CNN -- March 22Dobbs: ....Is there anything in the legislation that requires that our borders and ports, I mean, be secure?Gutierrez: Yes, we have triggers. We have triggers in the legislation.Dobbs: All right.Gutierrez: ...before you can even engage in legalization of those that are already here, the Department of Homeland Security has to establish that the new technology is in place. That it's available. That the funding is there. That the Border Patrol agents are -- so there are triggers. That biometric card, you don't have a biometric system that guarantees... Watch Transcript

2007-03-22T21:22:00.000-06:00

CNN Lou Dobbs - video:Hazleton Trial is About More than the Facts The trial against Hazelton, Pennsylvania, now in its fifth day, has generated enormous controversy. The mayor defends his laws saying that basically the city cannot handle the infrastructure of influx of illegal aliens and the crime rate was soaring. This trial is operating at two levels. The legal issue itself, the main legal issue, is narrow and technical. It's called preemption: Is the matter of immigration something that is reserved exclusively for the federal government and is it something that Hazelton or any other town simply can't regulate. And that has almost nothing to do with the facts of the case itself. It's really an abstract legal issue. But what the plaintiffs, the ACLU, the Chamber of Commerce are trying to do is show the judge that this is a bad idea and it is vaguely racist. But Mayor Barletta says it's very important to enforce this law because the city can't sustain this influx of illegal

2007-03-21T19:34:00.001-06:00

Battle Moves to the House of Representatives:"Comprehensive Immigration Reform" to be Introduced Tomorrow!

Yesterday, Congressmen Jeff Flake (R-AZ) and Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) held a conference call with reporters in which they announced their intention to introduce a "comprehensive immigration reform" bill on Thursday. There were few substantive details released at that time, but sources tell us that at the very least, the bill will contain some sort of amnesty provision for illegal aliens currently in the United States.
This morning, CongressDaily reports that Congressmen Flake and Gutierrez, who had been participating in negotiations with Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Ted Kennedy (D-MA) about the components of a new immigration bill, have now decided to let the Senate move on its own track and forge ahead with their legislation in the House. One aide to Flake is quoted as saying, "The House has not had a chance to consider a comprehensive immigration bill."
Observers note that there has been discord in the Senate as Members have had difficulty pleasing both the demands of labor and big business. Nevertheless, Senator Kennedy issued a statement applauding the introduction of "comprehensive immigration reform" legislation in the House. The statement said, "While we're still negotiating in the Senate, I'm optimistic that we will have legislation soon."
NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT!!!
Please call your Representatives TODAY and urge them to reject guest worker amnesty legislation. Tell them:
You oppose guest worker programs that displace American workers and depress wages;
You oppose rewarding illegal immigration with a path to citizenship;
Rewarding illegal immigration will only lead to more illegal immigration; and
Granting amnesty is inherently unfair to those who play by the rules, apply through legal channels, and patiently wait in line to come to the United States.
To find the phone number for your Representative, click here.
Your voices do make a difference!!! Yesterday, the New York Times reported that candidates campaigning in Iowa are hearing non-stop from voters who are upset at the prospect Congress will pass guest worker amnesty legislation. The paper writes: "The issue has become much more complicated as the presidential campaign has gotten under way, exposing the Republicans in particular to voters who are angry about what they see as porous borders, growing demands from immigrants on the social welfare and education systems and job losses that they link at least in part to a low-wage labor force coming over the border." To read the entire article, click here.
In addition, PLEASE take time out of your busy schedules to attend town hall meetings! Go with your family, friends and neighbors to let your Representatives and Senators know how you feel. While you may not immediately see how persuasive you are, FAIR hears stories from Congressional staffers all the time about how immigration is one of the most important issues at district events. Members want to hear from their voters, and if you do not voice your opinion, the voices of special interests will prevail!
Stay tuned for more updates from FAIR….

2007-03-20T07:49:00.001-06:00

CNN Lou Dobbs - video:Plaintiffs Say During Hazelton Trial: There's Nothing "Illegal" About Illegal Immigrants, Since There's No Definition in Law The trial against Hazleton, Pennsylvania, is now in its second week. The plaintiffs' attorneys spent most of the day in court trying to deliberately blur that distinction between illegals, saying you can't quite say that. Attorney Witold Walczak said: "It is simplistic and wrong to say illegal is illegal. And Hazleton has really made a pretty fundamental mistake in relying on that kind of premise here." The plaintiffs also pointed out in court, there is no definition for what constitutes an illegal immigrant or illegal alien in federal law. And they tried to make the point that the law also doesn't define what unlawful presence in the country means. Under this logic, there is no point in having laws, let alone enforcing them.

2007-03-20T07:41:00.000-06:00

Christian Science Monitor -- March 18The hidden cost of illegal workers Low-skilled individuals, legal or illegal, cost the government much more in services than they pay in taxes. ....Rector worries about the costs of opening the country to a new flood of immigrants. A proposed Senate measure. "would be financially ruinous for the United States," he charges. Rector calculated that a bill passed by the Senate last year would have increased the number of immigrants gaining legal status over the next 20 years by 55 million to 60 million. Most of those immigrants probably would have less than a high school education. And since low-skilled individuals, legal or illegal, cost the government much more than they pay in taxes, Uncle Sam would be out- of- pocket $70 billion a year.

2007-03-20T07:38:00.000-06:00

Bush Visits Mexico; Promises "Comprehensive Immigration Reform"

Last week, President Bush marked the end of his 5-day tour of Latin America by visiting Mexico to meet newly-elected President Felipe Calderón. President Bush wasted no time vowing his continued commitment to comprehensive immigration reform. In a well-attended arrival ceremony, Bush said, "Mr. President [Calderón], my pledge to you and your government - but, more importantly, the people of Mexico - is I will work as hard as I possibly can to pass comprehensive immigration reform."
During the visit, President Calderón, a vocal opponent of America's border security measures (including the construction of fencing), argued that the only way to stem illegal immigration and ensure regional security was to raise the standard of living in Mexico. "I am sure there is nothing better for the security and prosperity of our region than the prosperity of Mexico," he said. According to the Washington Post, aides to the Mexican President indicated that he is convinced that to achieve immigration reform, he must demonstrate to Congress that Mexico is willing to address the causes of illegal immigration, especially the country's weak job market and low standard of living.
Calderón also conveyed to President Bush that the illegal migration of Mexicans to the United States was a pain felt by both countries. "Mexicans lose in each migrant the best of our people: young people, working people, audacious people, strong people," he said. "This is why we want to generate jobs for Mexicans here in Mexico, because that is the only way to truly solve the immigration issue." While it is still uncertain whether Congress will pass an immigration reform bill this year, it is clear that both leaders have a large political stake in the outcome of the debate.

Congresswoman Blackburn Introduces Legislation to Curb Bank of America Practices
During the first week of March, Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) introduced the 'Photo Identification Security Act' (H.R. 1314) in the House of Representatives. The bill is aimed at closing the current loophole allowing financial institutions - like Bank of America - to grant illegal aliens lines of credit. If passed, the bill would require customers to show either a passport or a photo identification issued by the U.S. government to receive any services from the Federal Government or financial institutions. Acceptable forms of identification would include a passport, a U.S. Center for Immigration Services (USCIS) photo identification card (granted to legal immigrants), or a combination of a social security card accompanied by a government-issued photo ID.
This legislation would help eliminate the ability of banks to grant illegal aliens lines of credit because banks would no longer be able to use a multitude of foreign documents—often unreliable forms of ID—to open accounts for customers. H.R. 1314 currently has 33 co-sponsors. To see if your Representative has co-sponsored this legislation, click here.

Congressman Goodlatte Moves to Eliminate Visa Lottery
On March 9th, Representatives Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) and Stephanie Herseth (D-SD), introduced legislation to eliminate the visa lottery (H.R 1430). The visa lottery program, originally adopted in 1986, was intended to increase immigration from underrepresented countries. Experience has shown, however, that the effect of the program is merely discrimination between various "adversely affected" countries. For example, when the lottery was first created, it set aside a portion of the 55,000 immigrant visas for immigrants from Ireland, Canada and the United Kingdom, many of whom were illegally residing in the United States and had no other basis for obtaining a visa. Those countries were determined to be "adversely affected" because they had already reached their cap on permanent resident visas.
To obtain a permanent resident visa through the visa lottery, employment or familial connections are not required, applicants, nor is there a base-line level of skills required—just the equivalent of a high school diploma. In addition, the program may be used to grant permanent resident status to aliens illegally in the U.S., a great injustice to those who wait years in their home countries for a family or employment-based visa.
In 2005, similar legislation authored by Congressman Goodlatte (H.R. 1219) was amended onto H.R. 4437 and passed the House. This year, H.R. 1430 was referred to the Judiciary Committee and awaits a hearing. The bill currently has 32 co-sponsors. To see if your Representative has co-sponsored this legislation, click here.

ICE Conducts Raid at Massachusetts Clothing Manufacturing Plant
During the last two weeks, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have conducted more raids targeting employers of illegal aliens. The most recent raid was a sweep of Michael Bianco, Inc. (MBI), a clothing manufacturer that has held $90 million in Defense Department contracts. According to the Associated Press, 361 workers at MBI's Massachusetts plant were rounded up during the operation and flown to detention centers in Texas to be interviewed by federal officials. "Unlawful employment is a powerful magnet driving illegal immigration," said Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Julie Myers to the Washington Times. "Egregious hiring practices, widespread use of fraudulent documents and blatant disregard for the rule of law made this case a priority for ICE."
According to ICE spokesman Marc Raimondi, aliens determined to be in the country illegally will be administratively charged and placed in removal proceedings. In addition, prosecutors have charged owner Francesco Insolia and several other MBI executives with conspiring to encourage or induce illegal aliens to reside in the U.S. and conspiring to hire illegal aliens.
According to reports, illegal aliens working in the plant suffered deplorable working conditions, including an unsanitary environment and limited restroom breaks for workers. Nevertheless, ICE has come under fire from advocacy groups and some Members of Congress for what they consider the breaking up of families. Speaking to the Massachusetts Standard-Times, Representative William Delahunt (D-MA) called the raid a "debacle". The Washington Post, however, explained how the raids highlight the dilemma illegal aliens face: "They come to the United States to provide a better life for their families, but that illegal act can mean they risk the family being torn apart if they are caught."
Delahunt announced that the House Subcommittee on Immigration will be examining how ICE conducted its sweep of the MBI plant. ICE spokeswoman Paula Grenier welcomed the opportunity to brief Members on the extent to which ICE went to ensure children received proper care.

Recent Floor Statements
Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX) commented on Prosecution Of Border Patrol Agents (March 15, 2007)
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) commented on Immigration Reform (March 15, 2007)
Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) commented on Improving America's Security Act (March 14, 2007)
Rep. Brian Bilbray (R-CA) commented on Illegal Immigration (March 14, 2007)
Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX) commented on "Who Gets The Worker?" (March 14, 2007)
Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) commented on Improving America's Security Act Of 2007--Continued (March 13, 2007)
ACTING PRESIDENT commented on Improving America's Security Act Of 2007 (March 13, 2007)
Sen. Craig Thomas (R-WY) commented on Homeland Security (March 13, 2007)
Rep. Steve King (R-IA) commented on Illegal Immigration (March 12, 2007)
Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC) commented on Former U.S. Border Patrol Agents Ramos And Compean (March 12, 2007)

Press Release
Hazleton's Immigration Ordinance Will Prevail at Trial, Says FAIR (March 12, 2007)

2007-03-16T21:28:00.000-06:00

James C. Ho -- Salt Lake Tribune The right of citizenship by birth - can it be outlawed?Generations of Americans have understood that children born in the United States are entitled to U.S. citizenship, regardless of the nationality of their parents. When Congress revisits immigration reform this spring, however, legislation to repeal this historic rule is expected to play a central role in the debate.

2007-03-15T12:35:00.001-06:00

Lou Dobbs Tonight - CNN - March 14 Senator Ensign (R-NV) :...We've had a great prosecutor. According to the FBI, according to local prosecutors, local sheriff's department, everybody in our state thought our U.S. Attorney, Dan Bogden, was doing a great job. This attorney general's office let him go. And they never talked him ahead of time. Never told him he wasn't meeting the priorities they expected. His job evaluations were all superb. This was complete mismanagement, lack of oversight. I can't even tell you how angry I am about this.[...] Dobbs: .... And the attorney general says he doesn't even know what is going on with his chief of staff. I mean, don't you find that -- you say you are furious. I just find it mind- boggling. Watch Transcript

2007-03-14T09:28:00.001-06:00

Lou Dobbs Tonight - CNN - March 13Dobbs: Attorney General Alberto Gonzales today rejected Democratic demands for his resignation. The attorney general insists he has learned from his mistakes in the political showdown over the sudden dismissal of eight U.S. attorneys. However, Gonzales' chief of staff did resign for his role in the controversy.Gonzales: I believe in accountability. Like every CEO of a major organization, I am responsible for what happens at the Department of Justice.Arena: Responsibility may lie with Gonzales, but the blame, he says, lies with his chief of staff, Kyle Sampson, who abruptly resigned. Gonzales says he was simply out of the loop on this one. ... But the resignation of a top staffer did nothing to tamp down Democratic anger at Gonzales. Watch Transcript

2007-03-13T10:54:00.000-06:00

Mayor Barletta: ...we've had some very serious crimes being committed, some murders. The recent murders that have been illegal aliens have been involved in one way or the other. May 10 was the breaking point in Hazleton when a 29-year-old was shot between the eyes by two illegal aliens. By the way, Lou, the shooter in that incident was arrested eight times before he came to Hazleton and committed that murder. This is a small town where we might have one murder every seven years. And that has changed. We're seeing gangs and some very violent vicious crimes. And I've had enough. You know, we welcome people in Hazleton, but we're not going to allow those to come in and destroy the quality of life that we have. Watch Transcript

2007-03-13T09:35:00.000-06:00

We Need Your Support to Make Feet to the Fire a Success!

Dear Friend,

With new leadership and control in Congress, an open-borders mentality at the White House, and multi-million-dollar global interests in full force, a hard push to grant amnesty to 12 million illegal aliens is underway in Washington.
YES! I want to support Feet to the Fire

Amnesty is fundamentally unsound, unfair, and in the end leaves our immigration crisis unresolved. It is the easiest -- and worst -- decision a misguided Congress could make. We must not let Congress take the politically expedient route this spring by introducing Amnesty as a substitute for what we all agree needs to be done - enforcing the law.

With your support, we can block efforts to legalize millions of illegal aliens. Activists will also mount an effort to stop the pending North American Union - a real threat to American soverignity.

It promises to be a difficult battle. One we can surely win. But it's going to take the most vigorous and sustained mobilization we have ever conducted.

FAIR has already begun just such a mobilization.

From April 21st- 25th FAIR will host its annual Hold Their Feet to the Fire Radio Rally in Washington, DC. Dozens of radio talk hosts from across the country will broadcast live from Capitol Hill with a unified voice against illegal alien amnesty.

In addition, the radio hosts will be inviting their listeners to join them for a week of congressional visits. All 535 members of the House and Senate are slated to receive visits from constituents who will demand that their elected officials reject any legislation that includes a guest worker amnesty.

This event has proven highly successful in the past and was instrumental in the passage of REAL ID Act in 2005. This year, the event is larger and more important than ever and as such, our needs to effectively organize and accommodate those attending are higher.

Your support of this landmark grassroots event is absolutely vital.

The demand from broadcasters who want to participate is so high that spaces for Radio Row are already booked solid. Your donation today will enable us to provide more spaces for talk show hosts from around the country to come to Washington D.C. and broadcast at this historic event. Your support will will also allow us to help more activists come to D.C. $1,000 will let you pay for one Radio Host to come to D.C., bringing the immigration reform message to tens or hundreds of thousands of listeners. Every gift counts - there are many reform activities planned that week and your support will make this event a success.

There is an old expression that if you want to get politicians to see the light, make them feel the heat. Radio talk hosts know that, and their collective efforts during the Hold Their Feet to The Fire Rally will most certainly make the Washington crowd sweat.

With your support they will feel The HEAT!

YES! I want to support Feet to the Fire
Sincerely,
Dan Stein President

2007-03-12T16:24:00.000-06:00

Julia Malone, Cox Newspapers: (7/29/06) "There are a lot of people who are quite skeptical that it's real this time...." Watch
Border Enforcement Evaluation First Operation B.E.E.F.Watch / PDF File

2007-03-12T16:20:00.000-06:00

Despite Push, "Comprehensive Immigration Reform" Fate Uncertain in Congress

While various Democrats and Republicans lawmakers on Capitol Hill have stated immigration reform is a priority, the continued delay in the release of an immigration bill has some wondering how much support there really is for a massive guest worker amnesty program. In a prominent article published in Roll Call this week, interviews and statements by lawmakers signal increasing discord about the political implications of passing Senator Kennedy's "comprehensive immigration reform" legislation. According to Roll Call, "With Republicans looking to regain control of the Senate and Democrats hoping to pad their majority in 2008, neither party appears inclined to make the political sacrifices necessary to pass a broad immigration bill this year and may be content to simply duel to a rhetorical draw this summer." Indeed, the continued outcry from constituents opposed to guest worker amnesty legislation has many Members of Congress considering and re-considering their positions carefully.
The wild-card at this point in the debate appears to be whether the White House will fully back the highly anticipated McCain-Kennedy legislation or whether it will encourage alternative guest worker amnesty measures. Although some Republicans have already committed to Senator Kennedy's plan for "comprehensive immigration reform", more and more appear to be prepared to buck the Bush Administration if it renews its support for Kennedy's bill. This divide may explain why the Bush Administration is reportedly meeting with Republicans and pressuring them to adopt a consensus position on immigration reform. In the Senate, former backers of the McCain-Kennedy legislation, including Senators Sam Brownback (R-KS) and Mel Martinez (R-FL) are entering discussions with Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ), a vocal opponent to McCain-Kennedy, to create an alternative immigration reform package which may or may not contain guest worker amnesty provisions. "If we can get a bill that all of us can agree to and hold 40 votes together, then we can have a real debate on the issue," said Brownback.
In addition, a growing number of Democrats - including freshmen who campaigned on enacting tougher illegal immigration policies - are predicted to create roadblocks. While Congressional leaders have indicated that they would like to take up the issue this spring, CongressDaily reports that aides in both parties predict that the debate could stall in spite of the fact that House Speaker Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Reid have set a deadline of August 3rd for passing comprehensive immigration bills.

Cornyn Amendment Targeting Criminal Aliens Defeated on Senate Floor
During floor debate on the 9/11 Commission Recommendations bill (S.4) last week, Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) offered three amendments to the 9/11 Commission to improve the enforcement of U.S. immigration laws where national security is at issue. Together, these amendments would:
make it a crime to recruit people to commit terrorist acts;
authorize the immediate deportation of suspected terrorists whose visas are revoked on terrorism grounds;
prevent the release of dangerous illegal immigrants whose home countries delay their return to their home country;
make it a crime to encourage terrorism by rewarding the families of suicide bombers after the bombings take place; and
increase penalties for those who call families of soldiers serving overseas and falsely claim that their family member has been killed.
In a released statement, Senator Cornyn said, "The goal of the 9/11 bill is to move forward with the Commission's remaining initiatives that will strengthen the security of America and its people. These three amendments are important and overdue steps forward to help the federal government meet that goal."
By Friday, however, Senators had defeated the Cornyn amendment (S.AMDT.312)—which consolidated the three originally offered. The defeat was achieved procedurally when a motion to end debate (so that a vote could take place) failed by a vote of 46-49. The final vote on passage of the 9/11 Commission Recommendations bill may come as early as Tuesday, March 13, 2007. To see how your Senator voted on the Cornyn amendment, click here.

U.S. to Open Borders to Mexican Truckers
The United States has created a pilot program that would allow truck drivers from Mexico to deliver goods across the country in an effort, as Bush Administration officials describe, to further implement sections of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The 'demonstration project' will allow drivers from 100 Mexican trucking companies to drive pass the 25-75 mile 'commercial zones' on the border and deliver goods to their final destinations within the continental United States - a practice that has many American truck drivers and safety advocates outraged.
Concerned about the security implications of this new trucking provision of NAFTA, Chairwoman Patty Murray (D-WA) of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, convened a hearing to question Administration officials on the proposed pilot program - which is set to begin within the next 60 days. While the Chairwoman acknowledged that her home state of Washington proves that expanded trade is beneficial to the U.S., Senator Murray indicated she has deep reservations about the program and declared that "safety must never take a back seat to economic prosperity."
At the hearing, Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters vowed that the pilot program participants will have to adhere to strict safety guidelines, including requirements that trucking companies hold U.S. insurance policies, that drivers pass drug testing and acquire proper visas, and that 100% of containers will be checked when entering the United States. These guidelines were met with heavy criticism however—in part because driver testing will be conducted in Mexico, where results could be easily compromised. "Millions of U.S. taxpayer dollars have been spent, and will continue to be spent…doing what the government cannot, or will not do - ensure the safety of the Mexican trucking industry by adopting meaningful, compatible regulations," said Mr. Charlie Parfrey, a trucking company owner and representative of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association. The hearing also brought to light other preferences granted to Mexican truckers, including the fact that American truckers will be barred from participating in a reciprocal program in Mexico for six months of the one year program.
Fueling speculation that the pilot program's accelerated start date was politically motivated, President Bush just kicked off a five-day Latin America tour, which will culminate with a visit to Mexico to speak with newly-elected President Calderon about trade and immigration.

Congressman Poe Introduces Resolution to Support State and Local GovernmentsThis week, Congressman Ted Poe (R-TX) and 27 other co-sponsors introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives (H.Con.Res.83) urging Congress to support state and local governments that take action to discourage illegal immigration. The resolution, drafted in consultation with FAIR, states that the failure of the federal government to curb illegal immigration has placed a great burden on state and local governments and that numerous legislatures and local councils have responded by taking proactive measures and incurring great expense to address the problem. The resolution further urges Congress to support such actions taken at the state and local level by quickly passing border security and immigration enforcement legislation. To see which Representatives have co-sponsored this resolution introduced by Congressman Poe, click here.

Recent Floor Statements
Acting President commented on Improving America's Security Act Of 2007 (March 9, 2007)
Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX) commented Border Protectors Under Physical Attack (March 9, 2007)
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) commented on In Support Of Funding The State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (March 9, 2007)
Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) commented on Improving America's Security Act Of 2007--Continued (March 8, 2007)
Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) commented on Improving America's Security (March 8, 2007)
ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore commented on Improving America's Security Act Of 2007 (March 7, 2007)
Rep. Brian Bilbray (R-CA) commented on Congressional Immigration Caucus (March 7, 2007)
Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite (R-FL) commented on Tougher Border Control Policies Will Help Reduce Crime In The United States (March 7, 2007)
Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX) commented on Directo A Mexico (March 7, 2007)
Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez (D-ILL) commented on The Citizenship Promotion Act Of 2007 (March 7, 2007)
Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) commented on Improving America's Security Act Of 2007--Continued (March 6, 2007)
Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC) commented on U.S. Border Patrol Agents Ramos And Compean (March 6, 2007)
Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX) commented on Federal Government Protecting Border Violators (March 6, 2007)
Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) commented on Improving America's Security Act Of 2007--Continued (March 5, 2007)
Presiding Officer commented on Improving America's Security Act Of 2007 (March 5, 2007)
Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) commented on Consideration of S. 4 (March 5, 2007)
Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC) commented on Former U.S. Border Patrol Agents Ramos And Compean (March 5, 2007)

Press Release
People Who Violate Immigration Laws are More Likely to Violate Other Laws (March 08, 2007)
Senate Hearing on Mexican Trucks (March 8, 2007)

2007-03-12T16:19:00.000-06:00

Urge Your Representatives to Sign Two Important Letters Supporting TRUE Immigration Reform!

Right now, Congressman Brian Bilbray (R-CA) and the House Immigration Reform Caucus are circulating two important letters on immigration reform they plan to send to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and President Bush. We need your help to get as many Representatives to sign these letters as possible!
Please act now!
The first letter, addressed to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, urges the Speaker not to bring amnesty legislation to the floor of the House. It states, "Amnesty hurts vulnerable American workers, burdens American taxpayers, and rewards lawbreakers," while only encouraging more illegal immigration.
The second letter urges President Bush to continue Homeland Security's efforts to vigorously enforce the laws that ensure that employers do not hire illegal immigrants. Citing a Center for Immigration Studies report which found that current immigration has substantially reduced wages of low-skilled workers, the letter states, "Employers who hire illegal immigrants create unfair competition in the labor market and depress wages for all workers."
Now is the time to voice your opinion!
The debate on immigration reform is accelerating every day. President Bush and White House officials are putting more and more pressure on Members of Congress to support guest worker amnesty legislation. Our Nation's leaders need to know that they cannot pursue immigration policies that serve special interests and ignore the will of the American people. Call your Representatives in Washington and ask them to sign onto these important letters and join the bipartisan coalition of Members committed to true immigration reform!!!!
To find the phone number of your Representative, click here.

2007-03-11T08:28:00.001-06:00

Lou Dobbs Tonight -- CNN -- March 9Wian:.... one consequence of increased manpower at the border has been a sharp increase in violence with heavily armed smugglers hijacking drug loads and human cargo from each other. Border Patrol and local law enforcement are often outgunned, while the National Guard is prohibited from responding. Nichols: Right now, unfortunately, the drug smugglers, the human smugglers and all those people coming across the border right now illegally, they know what the National Guard are going to do. They know they are not going to defend their positions, that they are going to basically fall back to a safe position and call the Border Patrol. We could be so much more effective if these guys could actually stand and engage these guys and begin to stop them. Watch Transcript

2007-03-10T09:39:00.001-06:00

Arizona Taking New Steps to Secure its Border with Mexico When President Bush made that announcement 10 months ago, he limited the role of National Guard to surveillance, building roads and fences and other support duties. Customs and border protection says it has helped, because apprehensions of illegal aliens are down by 30 percent since October. One consequence of increased manpower at the border has been a sharp increase in violence with heavily armed smugglers hijacking drug loads and human cargo from each other. Border Patrol and local law enforcement are often outgunned, while the National Guard is prohibited from responding. State Rep. Warde Nichols (R) said: Right now, unfortunately, the drug smugglers, the human smugglers and all those people coming across the border right now illegally, they know what the National Guard ise going to do. They know they are not going to defend their positions, that they are going to basically fall back to a safe position and call the Border Patrol. We could be so much more effective if these guys could actually stand and engage these guys and begin to stop them." Nichols' bill now moves to the Arizona State Senate where passage appears likely and it would then it would be up to Democratic Governor Janet Napolitano to deploy the Arizona Guard to the border. She has resisted many previous state border security efforts. But lawmakers point out she has already declared a state of emergency because of illegal immigration in Arizona, so they are hoping she'll cooperate this time.

2007-03-10T09:37:00.000-06:00

CNN Lou Dobbs - video:Buckle Up - Mexican Trucks to Use American Highways The Department of Transportation will begin a year-long pilot program that allows hundreds of Mexican truck drivers to travel anywhere in the United States to deliver goods. Right now they're limited to within 25 miles of the border. But some congressional lawmakers say it will lead to a gaping hole in the nation's safety and security system. The Transportation Department says the Mexican drivers will meet U.S. safety requirements and on-site audits will be performed. Despite reassurances, critics say the U.S. government is opening the country to increased drug traffic. Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) said: "In our new post- 9/11 world, we have learned a lot more about terrorist threats and how to prevent them. We've also learned a lot more about illegal immigration and the methods used to smuggle citizens into the United States." There are safety concerns as well. U.S. drivers have to pass rigorous testing to be licensed in the United States. The bar is much lower for Mexican drivers.

2007-03-10T09:31:00.000-06:00

Allan Wall -- VDare.comMexican billionaire gaining on Bill Gates...Last year I wrote a piece for VDare.com entitled "Meet the World's Third- Richest Man And the Nine Other Mexican Billionaires." -- About Mexico's 10 billionaires. -- The richest Mexican, and third- richest man in the World, after Bill Gates and Warren Buffet, is Carlos Slim...

2007-03-09T12:30:00.000-06:00

Lou Dobbs Tonight -- CNN -- March 8Dobbs: Earlier this week Republican Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn introduced legislation aimed at preventing U.S. financial institutions from handing out credit cards to illegal aliens. The Photo I.D. Act comes after Bank of America announced it would issue credit cards to all customers, even those without Social Security numbers.[...]Rep. Blackburn: ...We heard from people all over the country that were absolutely flabbergasted. We have heard from community bankers in small communities. We have heard from main street merchants who have just been absolutely appalled with this and they know they're the ones that are going to end up with the American taxpayer paying the bill on this. Watch BofA / Assaults on Agents

2007-03-08T14:02:00.000-06:00

Act Now to Prevent Special Interests from Dictating U.S. Immigration Policy!!!

Hot on the heels of last week's Senate Judiciary hearing on "comprehensive immigration reform," rumors are swirling that guest worker amnesty legislation is due at any moment—legislation that would reward illegal aliens and allow for a continuous flow of guest workers to take American jobs and depress wages. Drafted by special interests groups and big business, this legislation ignores the views of the most important stakeholders…the American people!

Negotiating Behind the Scenes

According to CongressDaily, a key staffer for Senator Kennedy (D-MA) divulged that the chief sponsors of the guest worker amnesty bill authored by the Senator are hoping to introduce the legislation this week. Other staffers have suggested that such a mammoth bill could not be ready that soon. Either way, Senate leaders have indicated that they intend to have committee hearings on the legislation this spring and then have the bill on the floor by summer.

In the House, Congressmen Jeff Flake (R-AZ) and Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) are in the process of drafting companion legislation. A variety of sources say that there may be more resistance to guest worker amnesty legislation in the House and that some Democrats may not jump on the amnesty bandwagon, causing concern among House Leadership. In fact, according to Congressional Quarterly, Speaker Nancy Pelosi's strategy is to "let the Senate take up the bill first so that it can build momentum."

Senators meanwhile are urging President Bush to get involved early in the legislative process to help push through the guest worker amnesty bill. Roll Call reports that there have been intense negotiations between Senators and White House officials to hammer out a legislative proposal that can garner enough votes to pass.

NOW is the time to let your Representatives and Senators know how you feel!

Your representatives and the Bush Administration are at this moment deciding what will be in the bill and strategizing how best to fast-track it through Congress. You must throw up a roadblock! You must let them know that you will not tolerate Congress taking the easy way out of our illegal immigration crisis by passing guest worker amnesty legislation.

Your calls make a difference! Please call your Senators and Congressmen TODAY and urge them to oppose all guest worker amnesty legislation—whatever name they give it. Tell them:

You oppose guest worker programs that displace American workers and depress wages;
You oppose rewarding illegal immigration with a path to citizenship;
Rewarding illegal immigration will only lead to more illegal immigration; and
Granting amnesty is inherently unfair to those who play by the rules, apply through legal channels, and patiently wait in line to come to the United States.

It is imperative that action be taken NOW to stop this bill dead in its tracks!!

To find the numbers of your Representatives and Senators, click here.

2007-03-08T00:00:00.000-06:00

Investors Business Daily:Even Texas Has Had Enough The home state of the president who said compassion does not stop at the border now says that allowing those seeking a better life to come does not mean denying it to those already here. Not long ago, George W. Bush was governor of Texas, praising the benefits to his state and this nation of immigrants, legal and illegal. He still does, but his political heirs in a state that has a 1,200-mile border with Mexico have embraced a slightly different view. A recent report from the Pew Hispanic Center estimates that 1.4 million to 1.6 million illegal aliens reside in Texas, about 14% of the U.S. total. Another study, this one from the Lone Star Foundation in Austin, said illegal aliens drain $4.5 billion from the Texas economy, mostly in health care costs. As a result, a growing number of Texas politicians on both sides of the aisle are seeking, in the absence of what they perceive to be meaningful action from Washington, to put the brakes on what was once a relative trickle and is now a flood. State Rep. Leo Berman, R-Tyler, is the author of one of more than two dozen proposals that target illegal immigration in Texas, proposals that amount to more stick and less carrot.

2007-03-07T12:57:00.000-06:00

Rogue Band of Scoundrels Plot to Remove Jim Gilchrist and Put Themselves in Power

The plan to oust Jim Gilchrist, Founder and Chairman of the Minuteman Project is underway. Thousands of Minuteman members and supporters across the USA are pledging their support for Jim and will not stand by while these impostors try to destroy Jim and the entire Minuteman Project. Jim Gilchrist is bringing this cabal of three formerly trusted advisors to court and he is taking legal action against them…

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Dear Friends, as you know I am also the WebMaster for Jim Gilchrist and the Minuteman Project [MMP]. See below my latest MMP email. I am asking you to forward this information everywhere and ask others to pass it on as well. Upload it to message boards, and post it on websites. We need your help to let the world know about these shameful, greed-driven and downright diabolical conspirators.

As always, for the Cause - Linda

PS — Within the last few minutes they also hacked into our MMP website and took control of it. For now, stay tuned to our www.forthecause.us site for MMP news and updates.

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Dear Minutemen,

Yes it is true. Several people who Jim Gilchrist fully trusted have put their pursuit of money and power above the Cause. They conspired to remove Jim Gilchrist as head of the Minuteman Project and insert themselves in positions of power in the organization.

Who are these individuals?

Deborah Peterson - AKA Deborah Courtney
Marvin Stewart - a quasi-Minister and government worker
Barbara Coe - California Coalition for Immigration Reform

I am still stunned. Did they really think that all of us would just roll over and let this happen?

See the press release below and please note the following about these three individuals:

1. Using stolen passwords they hacked into our Web Servers and changed the passwords for several of our accounts.

2. They took control of all our Minuteman Project email addresses. As of right now, all email sent to anyone @minutemanproject.com goes to these corporate raiders. We are forced to use our personal email addresses until this is resolved in court. You can contact us at:

Linda Muller [WebMaster] - lindamuller@forthecause.us
Jim Gilchrist [MMP Founder]- century21minuteman@sbcglobal.net
Tim Bueler [Media] - media@timbueler.com

3. It also looks like they might have stolen our email list. If you, as a member of the Minuteman Project email list, receive email claiming it is from the MMP, from anyone other than me, Tim or Jim, please remember it is bogus.

4. They stole over 20,000 pages of our letterhead stationery and envelopes bearing Jim Gilchrist’s personal signature. Needless to say if you receive any letters in the mail that seem out of character, you will know they are from this band of devious conspirators.

5. As of right now they have been unable to hack into our website - we still have full control over it. Tommy Crenshaw, who manages our system, is keeping watch on it round the clock. He says they are using sophisticated hacking tools to try and break into the Web Server. Thus far he has been able to thwart their incessant attempts to break in. Again, if you notice content on the website that seems out of character, you can assume that they were successful in taking over our website. If that happens, stay tuned to my personal website at www.forthecause.us for updates.

For now I just wanted to make sure you know about our email addresses and the stolen stationery so you will not be confused if you are contacted by them. I will be writing up much more on this over the next few days and posting it on the www.minutemanproject.com and the www.forthecause.us websites… and also emailing it to several lists.

Please help Jim Gilchrist and the Minuteman Project by sending this information across the USA. Post it on websites. Upload it to message boards and chat rooms.

I for one will be damned if I will stand quietly by while Deborah Peterson [AKA Deborah Courtney], Marvin Stewart and Barbara Coe try to steal the Minuteman Project from Jim Gilchrist. How about you?

As always, For the Cause - Linda
And still the Minuteman Project Webmaster!

2007-03-07T12:44:00.001-06:00

Lou Dobbs Tonight -- CNN -- March 6Cardinal Roger Mahony: This is an issue about people, and the focus upon people who are our neighbors, people who live here in our United States who are contributing to our country. We simply cannot exclude them. We must find ways to bring them into the full light of our society. [...]Rep. Gutierrez: And if the restrictionists still really want to build their fence, then I say let's build it. Let's build it around Lou Dobbs and the Minutemen. Watch Mahony / ACLU Transcript

2007-03-06T14:52:00.000-06:00

The 62 senators who voted FOR Senate amnesty bill (S.2611):

Akaka (D-HI)
Baucus (D-MT)
Bayh (D-IN)
Bennett (R-UT)
Biden (D-DE)
Bingaman (D-NM)
Boxer (D-CA)
Brownback (R-KS)
Cantwell (D-WA)
Carper (D-DE)
Chafee (R-RI)
Clinton (D-NY)
Coleman (R-MN)
Collins (R-ME)
Conrad (D-ND)
Craig (R-ID)
Dayton (D-MN)
DeWine (R-OH)
Dodd (D-CT)
Domenici (R-NM)
Durbin (D-IL)
Feingold (D-WI)
Feinstein (D-CA)
Frist (R-TN)
Graham (R-SC)
Gregg (R-NH)
Hagel (R-NE)
Harkin (D-IA)
Inouye (D-HI)
Jeffords (I-VT)
Johnson (D-SD)
Kennedy (D-MA)
Kerry (D-MA)
Kohl (D-WI)
Landrieu (D-LA)
Lautenberg (D-NJ)
Leahy (D-VT)
Levin (D-MI)
Lieberman (D-CT)
Lincoln (D-AR)
Lugar (R-IN)
Martinez (R-FL)
McCain (R-AZ)
McConnell (R-KY)
Menendez (D-NJ)
Mikulski (D-MD)
Murkowski (R-AK)
Murray (D-WA)
Nelson (D-FL)
Obama (D-IL)
Pryor (D-AR)
Reed (D-RI)
Reid (D-NV)
Sarbanes (D-MD)
Schumer (D-NY)
Smith (R-OR)
Snowe (R-ME)
Specter (R-PA)
Stevens (R-AK)
Voinovich (R-OH)
Warner (R-VA)
Wyden (D-OR)

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Here are the 35 senators that voted against English as the national language:

Akaka (D-HI)
Bayh (D-IN)
Biden (D-DE)
Bingaman (D-NM)
Boxer (D-CA)
Cantwell (D-WA)
Clinton (D-NY)
Dayton (D-MN)
Dodd (D-CT)
Domenici (R-NM)
Durbin (D-IL)
Feingold (D-WI)
Feinstein (D-CA)
Harkin (D-IA)
Inouye (D-HI)
Jeffords (I-VT)
Kennedy (D-MA)
Kerry (D-MA)
Kohl (D-WI)
Landrieu (D-LA)
Lautenberg (D-NJ)
Leahy (D-VT)
Levin (D-MI)
Lieberman (D-CT)
Menendez (D-NJ)
Mikulski (D-MD)
Murray (D-WA)
Obama (D-IL)
Reed (D-RI)
Reid (D-NV)
Salazar (D-CO)
Sarbanes (D-MD)
Schumer (D-NY)
Stabenow (D-MI)
Wyden (D-OR)

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The 71 senators who voted AGAINST funding the border fence:

Akaka (D-HI)
Alexander (R-TN)
Allard (R-CO)
Baucus (D-MT)
Bayh (D-IN)
Bennett (R-UT)
Biden (D-DE)
Bingaman (D-NM)
Bond (R-MO)
Boxer (D-CA)
Byrd (D-WV)
Cantwell (D-WA)
Chafee (R-RI)
Clinton (D-NY)
Cochran (R-MS)
Coleman (R-MN)
Collins (R-ME)
Conrad (D-ND)
Cornyn (R-TX)
Dayton (D-MN)
Dodd (D-CT)
Domenici (R-NM)
Dorgan (D-ND)
Durbin (D-IL)
Feingold (D-WI)
Feinstein (D-CA)
Frist (R-TN)
Frist (R-TN)
Graham (R-SC)
Gregg (R-NH)
Hagel (R-NE)
Harkin (D-IA)
Hutchison (R-TX)
Inouye (D-HI)
Jeffords (I-VT)
Johnson (D-SD)
Kennedy (D-MA)
Kerry (D-MA)
Kohl (D-WI)
Kyl (R-AZ)
Landrieu (D-LA)
Lautenberg (D-NJ)
Leahy (D-VT)
Lautenberg (D-NJ)
Leahy (D-VT)
Levin (D-MI)
Lieberman (D-CT)
Lincoln (D-AR)
Lugar (R-IN)
Martinez (R-FL)
McCain (R-AZ)
McConnell (R-KY)
Menendez (D-NJ)
Mikulski (D-MD)
Murkowski (R-AK)
Murray (D-WA)
Nelson (D-FL)
Obama (D-IL)
Pryor (D-AR)
Reed (D-RI)
Reid (D-NV)
Rockefeller (D-WV)
Salazar (D-CO)
Sarbanes (D-MD)
Schumer (D-NY)
Smith (R-OR)
Snowe (R-ME)
Specter (R-PA)
Stabenow (D-MI)
Stevens (R-AK)
Sununu (R-NH)
Voinovich (R-OH)
Warner (R-VA)
Wyden (D-OR)

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Information from: www.senate.gov

2007-03-06T14:44:00.000-06:00

Senate Committee Seeks President's Endorsement of Comprehensive Immigration Reform

The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing last week with top Bush Administration officials in attendance to put the President's commitment to 'comprehensive immigration reform' on-record before legislative proposals are released in the coming weeks. Senate Democrats, however, were only partially successful. While Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez stressed that the President is dedicated to enacting an immigration policy overhaul, they were reluctant to sign-off on a guest worker program that gives a path to citizenship for illegal aliens currently in the United States.
"In terms of a path to citizenship, that is something that we need to discuss, that we need to think through," Secretary Gutierrez said. "There is a path today to citizenship. It is not as though we need to create a new path." Chairman Leahy (D-VT) then pressed the officials about last year's bill which provided a path to citizenship, asking, "What's the incentive to come out of the shadows?" Chertoff responded, "I don't think citizenship is what will make them come out of the shadows." According to experts, only about a third of the eligible illegal aliens applied for U.S. citizenship after the 1986 amnesty. Administration officials did note, however, that they felt sending illegal aliens home would also be an unrealistic undertaking. "I think it would be a gargantuan task to locate and detain 12 million people," Chertoff said to Committee Members.
Notably quiet through most of the hearing was Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA), one of the principal architects of last year's amnesty bill. Kennedy did face criticism from several corners, including from the Committee's Ranking Member Arlen Specter (R-PA), for keeping his draft legislation under lock and key during this Congress. "I've been concerned about reading what is going on in the newspapers," said Specter. Mirroring Specter's sentiment was Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), who told CongressDaily, "Republicans have been largely frozen out of the process." Kennedy has also come under fire from within his own caucus. In a statement after the hearing, former strong supporter of the McCain-Kennedy legislation, Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), signaled a retreat of sorts stating, "We may have reached too far in a comprehensive bill." She then suggested it would be better to tackle the illegal immigration problem in stages, rather than having one be-all-end-all legislative package.

Federal Government Caves in to Reluctant States on REAL ID
The Department of Homeland Security this week finally released its proposed regulations for state-issued identification under the REAL ID Act of 2005 - legislation passed as a result of recommendations made by the 9/11 Commission. The regulations now delay the deadline for implementation of the REAL ID Act from May 2008 to December 2009—a move that is widely seen as an attempt to appease state officials reluctant to implement the driver's license security provisions due to privacy and funding concerns. This opposition to REAL ID has been growing in state legislatures as the May 2008 deadline has approached, leading representatives at the state and federal level to introduce measures opposing or delaying the measure.
The Real ID Act requires the states to adopt a common set of standards for driver's licenses to improve security. These include incorporating "machine readable" technology, physical security features designed to prevent tampering and counterfeiting, a digital photograph, and a common set of driver identification information (full legal name, date of birth, gender, address, signature, etc.). In the official statement accompanying the release, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said, "Raising the security standards on driver's licenses establishes another layer of protection to prevent terrorists from obtaining and using fake documents to plan or carry out an attack. These standards correct glaring vulnerabilities exploited by some of the 9/11 hijackers who used fraudulently obtained drivers licenses to board the airplanes in their attack against America."
Despite Secretary Chertoff's statement on the importance of REAL ID, the released DHS guidelines now allow states to postpone their compliance until December 31, 2009. DHS also announced that up to 20 percent of a state's Homeland Security Grant Program funds can be used to help implement REAL ID. This funding provision will apply to the current 2007 grant cycle. The new regulations issued by Homeland Security have apparently appeased one lawmaker who had been opposing REAL ID, Senator Susan Collins (R-ME). Upon learning of the newly released regulations, the Senator backed off her attempts to amend the 9/11 Recommendations bill (S.4) to delay implementation of the REAL ID Act.

Is the Federal Government Encouraging Illegal Immigration? Federal Reserve Facilitates Low-Cost Money Transfers to Mexico
In the wake of the Bank of America scandal, another upsetting revelation regarding government assistance to illegal aliens has come to light - a Federal Reserve program that helps illegal aliens send billions of dollars a year in remittances to from the U.S. to Mexico at minimal costs.
This program, informally called Directo a Mexico, is a Federal Reserve-sponsored service that allows customers without social security numbers to electronically transfer money through the Federal Reserve system to Mexico's central bank at the cost of $0.67 per transaction - markedly less than such individuals would otherwise pay. According to the Los Angeles Times, the Federal Reserve developed the program with counterparts at Mexico's central bank after President Bush announced it with then-Mexican President Vicente Fox in 2003. About 150 banks and credit unions participate, including 20 in California.
Speaking to the Los Angeles Times, Representative Brian Bilbray (R-CA), Chairman of the House Immigration Reform Caucus, said that Directo a Mexico and programs like it should be stopped and that participating banks were 'profiteering from illegal immigration'. Congressman Bilbray said legislators were working on proposals that would prevent financial institutions such as the Federal Reserve and Bank of America from catering to illegal aliens, and are calling on the Bush administration to address the issue.
In response to the barrage of criticism, Elizabeth McQuerry, Assistant Vice President for the Federal Reserve Retail Payments Office, stated that the Directo a Mexico program was not breaking any laws, and that the program complied with the Patriot Act, the Bank Secrecy Act and other laws against money laundering. This was the same line of defense that Bank of America CEO Ken Lewis used when defending the bank's credit card program for illegal aliens.

9/11 Relative Barred from Democratic Event after Voicing Visa Waiver Disapproval
During an event held by leading Senate Democrats publicizing their 9/11 Commission Recommendations bill, one speaker was excluded at the last minute due to his opposition to the expansion of the visa waiver program included in the legislation. Bruce DeCell, a retired New York City police officer whose son-in-law died in the World Trade Center attack, was invited to speak at the news conference to represent 9/11 families. However, during a preliminary meeting, Mr. DeCell unnerved guests including Senate Homeland Security Chair Lieberman and Senator Debbie Stabenow by voicing his concerns over the visa waiver program expansion included in the bill. The expansion would potentially allow nationals from many additional countries to travel to the U.S. without a visa.
"I explained that I had some problems with the legislation that I hope could be worked out in committee," he said to Hill newspaper CongressDaily, "I guess I said too much." After making the statement, Mr. DeCell - Vice President of 9/11 Families for a Secure America - was ushered out of the room, told to take a seat in a hallway and await a staff member to escort him to the press conference. But no one ever came. While deeply disappointed by his obvious exclusion from the press conference, Mr. DeCell remains firm in his beliefs, "The day after 9/11 happened, they should have done away with visa exemptions," he said to the Washington Times, noting that several of the 9/11 hijackers were in the U.S. on expired visas.
According to CongressDaily, a Democratic spokesman said DeCell's exclusion from the news conference was the result of a "miscommunication." He said he was not aware DeCell was waiting outside and noted "I feel terrible about it."

FAIR To Hold Anti-Illegal Immigration Rally in April; Members and Activists are Urged to AttendFAIR announces its annual Hold Their Feet to the Fire Talk Radio Rally in Washington DC will be April 23rd to the 25th. Dozens of radio talk hosts from across the country will broadcast with a unified voice against illegal alien amnesty, live from Capitol Hill. In conjunction with hundreds of listeners, activists, and congressional supporters, the event is expected to be the largest media/activist immigration reform event of the year. FAIR is urging its members to join this national grassroots effort in Washington and counter the expected renewed round of illegal alien marches and boycotts. For more information, please see our website at fairus.org.

Recent Floor Statements
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords(D-AZ) commented on Cross Party Lines To Pass Comprehensive Immigration Reform (March 1, 2007)
Presiding Officer commented on Improving America's Security Act Of 2007 (February 28, 2007)
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee(D-TX) commented on Immigration Concerns (February 28, 2007)
Rep. Steven King(R-IA) commented on Immigration Reform (February 28, 2007)
Rep. Steven King(R-IA) commented on Immigration Reform (February 27, 2007)
Rep. Marsha Blackburn(R-TN) commented on Illegals Using Fed To Wire Money (February 27, 2007)
Rep. Ted Poe(R-TX) commented on The Trucks Are Coming, The Trucks Are Coming (February 27, 2007)

2007-03-06T14:36:00.000-06:00

Lou Dobbs Tonight -- CNN -- March 5L.A. Mayor Villaraigosa: We need to insure that the victims of crime that witnesses to crime come forward and so we don't want them to believe that we're going to report them to ICE... (Special Order 40)[...]U.S. Attorney General Gonzales: These [vicious gangsters] are individuals who've run into a spell of tough luck... I'm equally concerned that we're taking steps as a government... to provide educational programs, to provide job opportunities..."Dobbs: ..poverty and the lack of education are certainly drivers contributing to membership in gangs rising but there is not a single thing that a U.S. Attorney General can do - his job is to be the chief law enforcement officer. Watch Gonzales-Villaraigosa / States Crack Down on Invaders Transcript

2007-03-06T09:34:00.000-06:00

CNN Lou Dobbs - video:Amnesty Supporters Say Current Immigration System Broken, So Let's Fix it by Legalizing 12 Million Aliens The one thing the Bush administration, congressional Democrats and Republicans agree on is the current immigration system is broken. Fake Social Security cards are so abundant, it's a joke. Lawmakers wanted to pin down Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez on their position on immigration. Democrats pushing so-called comprehensive immigration reform expect the White House to do more heavy lifting after last year's failed efforts. That means convincing Republicans, many of whom don't buy the sanitized phrase, "earned legalization," but see it as blanket amnesty. Secretary Gutierrez said the White House is on record favoring a guest worker program and legalizing the 12 million-plus illegal aliens. Some, like Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK), are not convinced a guest worker, an amnesty program, is even necessary. "Why does it make sense to have an influx of an additional workforce when we have 10 million Americans that aren't employed today and real wages for those people at those entry-level jobs aren't rising?"

2007-03-05T10:48:00.000-06:00

CNN Late Edition -- March 4Bush: We cannot fully secure the border unless we take pressure off the border. And that requires a temporary worker program. We should establish a legal and orderly path for foreign workers to enter our country to work on a temporary basis..Blitzer: You have a problem with that?Tancredo: Hello, Mr. President, Wolf, we have it. There are literally scores of programs that we now operate to let people come into this country legally... Let's talk about H2A visas (agricultural visas)...there are no limits on those visas. Watch Transcript

2007-03-05T08:57:00.000-06:00

Co-Conspirators:1. Peter Schey: Opened schools to illegal aliens, killed Proposition 187;2. Morris Dees: Tries to destroy patriots who fight to defend their country;3. Robert Bach: Established defacto amnesty;4. Doris Meissner: Emasculated the INS - now calls for open border with Mexico.5. Mario Obledo: Turning California into a Hispanic state;6. Jacques Medina: His Proposition UNO has pushed for amnesty for decades;7. Antonio Villaraigosa: Turning Los Angeles over to Mexico:8. Ford Foundation: Created and financed major Reconquista organizations;9. Los Angeles Times: Lies about impact of invasion, suppresses the truth; and10. Government of Mexico:Encouraged citizens to invade, subverts our laws.

Link To "ABP"

2007-03-04T08:41:00.000-06:00

Tancredo speaks at Conservative Political Action Committee convention March 2; strong speech fires up party activists

2007-03-03T14:42:00.000-06:00

Lou Dobbs Tonight -- CNN -- March 2Rohrabacher: Sutton chose to disregard the information, despite the evidence provided by the DEA. Sutton's continuous attempts to paint a benign picture of the drug smuggler is not only disingenuous, but it amounts to misleading the jury and the public.Gonzales: There's a lot out there, a lot of misinformation out there about what happened in this particular case, but the agents had the opportunity to present the facts to a jury in Texas, and the jury concluded that, in fact, these two agents broke the law. And people in law enforcement who break the law should be held accountable. No question about it. And that's what's happening here.Wian: Gonzales refused to take follow-up questions on why his prosecutors kept key information from the jury, including the Aldrete- Davila's drug-smuggling history, escalating violence on the Mexican border, and other evidence that could have helped exonerate agents Ramos and Compean. Watch - Gonzales / Drugs Transcript

2007-03-02T16:54:00.000-06:00

Senate Judiciary Hearing on Immigration -- February 28Sen. Feingold: A 2005 Cato Institute study...found that the probability of stopping an undocumented immigration has fallen in the past two decades from 33% to 5%...Sec. Chertoff: I'm not in a position to associate myself with that study ...There is no question in many parts of the border the most cost-effective and most efficient way to to detect and intercept illegal migrants is high-tech - things like radar. (read: I don't know how they get through, but I do know how to stop them.)Sen. Feingold: I'm encouraged to hear that. Would you specifically say in many border areas those types of technologies will be both more effective and less expensive than building hundreds of miles of fencing which is estimated to cost $3 to $5 million per mile?Sec. Chertoff: I would agree with that... Watch this exchange (Broadband) Watch most of hearing (Dial-up)

2007-03-01T19:21:00.000-06:00

Bill would mandate nicer term for illegalsBy Bill Cotterell
news-press.com Tallahassee bureau
Originally posted on February 27, 2007

TALLAHASSEE — A state legislator whose district is home to thousands of Caribbean immigrants wants to ban the term “illegal alien” from the state’s official documents.

“I personally find the word ‘alien’ offensive when applied to individuals, especially to children,” said Sen. Frederica Wilson, D-Miami. “An alien to me is someone from out of space.”

She has introduced a bill providing that: “A state agency or official may not use the term ‘illegal alien’ in an official document of the state.” There would be no penalty for using the words.

In Miami-Dade County, Wilson said, “we don’t say ‘alien,’ we say ‘immigrant.’”

She said she encountered the situation when trying to pass a bill allowing children of foreigners to get in-state tuition at colleges and universities. Wilson, who directs a dropout prevention and education program in Miami, said she politely asks witnesses at public hearings on such issues not to use the term.

“There are students in our schools whose parents are trying to become citizens and we shouldn’t label them,” she said. “They are immigrants, through no fault of their own, not aliens.”

Wilson said the first word isn’t as bad as the second.

“‘Illegal,’ I can live with, but I like ‘undocumented’ better,” she said.

Asked if her bill (SB 2154) might run afoul of Gov. Charlie Crist’s “plain speaking” mandate for government agencies, Wilson said, “I think getting rid of ‘alien’ would be plain speaking.”

2007-03-01T15:00:00.000-06:00

Lou Dobbs Tonight -- CNN -- February 28Wian: ...The once-secret document shows Sutton's office was told by the DEA that Oscar Aldrete-Davila was implicated in a second drug smuggling incident while he was under immunity but before the agents' trial. The evidence that Aldrete-Davila was a serial drug smuggler was kept from the jury that convicted Ramos and Compean.Rohrabacher: Evidence now emerging suggests that Sutton's office was notified by the DEA of Davila's direct involvement of a second offense. Sutton chose to disregard the information, despite the evidence provided by the DEA.Wian: Rohrabacher even accused Sutton of lying by misleading jurors and the public about Aldrete-Davila's drug smuggling history. Transcript

2007-02-28T13:38:00.000-06:00

Lou Dobbs Tonight -- CNN -- February 27Dan Stein, FAIR: Senator Kennedy, supposedly a champion of the working person in this country, is in lead with the greatest exploiters of cheap labor, groups working with the Chamber of Commerce and the immigration bar, unscrupulous lawyers who simply use immigration to make money. And somehow, he's working with them, and they're writing the bill. Wian: According to "The Washington Times," President Bush has pledged support for Senator Kennedy's so-called comprehensive immigration reform plan. He met with his counterpart from El Salvador, who's clearly hoping for an amnesty bill. Watch Amnesty / Agents Transcript Contact your Senator

2007-02-27T09:06:00.000-06:00

Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers -- Stuart, Florida Martin Co. gas station owner: Police driving customers awayGolden Gate, Fla. -- Most businesses welcome a law enforcement presence nearby, but Jamal Uddin asked deputies from the Martin County Sheriff's Office not to come by in the mornings when immigrant workers hang out at his Texaco gas station waiting for possible day jobs...

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Inland Valley Daily Bulletin -- Ontario, Calif.Man agents shot ran drugs into U.S. after he was given immunityThe Mexican national shot by two Border Patrol agents in a drug-related incident in February 2005 brought a second van load of drugs into the U.S. while he waited to testify against the agents, according to Drug Enforcement Administration reports obtained by the Daily Bulletin. -- Osbaldo Aldrete- Davila - who was given immunity...

2007-02-27T09:02:00.000-06:00

Judiciary Hearing May Serve as Platform for Amnesty Bill

Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Chairman of the influential Senate Judiciary Committee, has scheduled a hearing this Wednesday to discuss "Comprehensive Immigration Reform," fueling speculation that the meeting will serve as a springboard for Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA), Chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, to introduce guest worker amnesty legislation. A spokeswoman for the Vermont Democrat said that Chairman Leahy is looking for the Bush administration to "walk the walk" on comprehensive immigration reform. To get more input from the Bush Administration, Chairman Leahy has invited Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez and Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff to testify on Wednesday.
Because of the appearance of these high-profile guests, many Capitol Hill insiders have suggested that the hearing may provide a perfect opportunity for amnesty advocate Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) to introduce his "comprehensive" immigration reform package. However, according to The Washington Times, little is certain as fellow lawmakers have been kept out of the drafting process - including Republicans who crossed party lines last year and supported S.2611, the guest worker amnesty bill. Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS), one of the Republicans who had supported last year's bill, told the Washington Times that he had been excluded from all negotiations. "Our staffs have asked to be involved, but they were kept out," he said. Even Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA), the former Senate Judiciary Chair who ushered in last year's bill, was left out of all negotiations. According to Specter, he has attempted to contact Senator Kennedy several times in an effort to view drafts, but to no avail. "I raised the issue again, and a Kennedy staffer said there was nothing in writing….Neither my staff nor I have seen any draft."
While few individuals have had access to the draft legislation under its shroud of secrecy, various reports indicate it will closely resemble the broad amnesty in the McCain-Kennedy bill introduced in the 109th Congress—without tiers to differentiate between illegal aliens who have been in the country many years versus just a couple. This expansion of the language may cause some lawmakers to reconsider their votes. On CNN's Lou Dobbs, House Immigration Reform Caucus Chair Brian Bilbray (R-CA) remarked, "You're seeing Republican Senators who had supported the concept before backing away on this because they went home and got an earful from their constituents. And you're seeing a lot of members who had supported Kennedy before are not going to buy all this now." Indeed, speaking to the Washington Times, Senator Brownback said, "If it's back to the old version without the changes we made last year, I don't think I could support that."
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Bank of America Chief Defends Credit Card Program, Says it is Here to Stay
Ever since The Wall Street Journal revealed that Bank of America is providing credit cards to illegal aliens, the bank has become the focus of overwhelming criticism from lawmakers, concerned citizens, and the media. Bank of America remained silent for days, but in a letter published in The Wall Street Journal last Thursday, CEO Kenneth Lewis finally responded. In the letter, Mr. Lewis defended the program by arguing that the bank is not targeting illegal aliens but instead seeking to help customers build credit history and simply servicing everyone who is eligible to receive banking services under the law.
Mr. Lewis acknowledged that the program has upset some people, but said it would continue as planned. The CEO wrote, "We created this pilot program in Los Angeles to help Bank of America customers with little or no credit history build a solid credit history with a leading bank, and to strengthen our relationships with individuals and families we hope will become loyal Bank of America customers in the future as their financial needs grow." Mr. Lewis did not explain why Bank of America could not help customers build credit history and still require a social security number to open an account. However, he did confirm reports that illegal aliens are signing up for the credit card.
Mr. Lewis also defended his credit card program as legal and pointed out that the regulations implementing the Patriot Act allow foreign documents, such as the controversial matricula consular card, to be used to open bank accounts (including credit card accounts). Citing statements of former Treasury Secretary John Snow, Lewis argued that allowing banks to accept these foreign documents enhances national security by bringing illegal aliens into the financial mainstream.
Patrons, however, are not so confident about Bank of America's motives. Not only are scores of individuals waging protest of the bank's new program by closing accounts and cutting their credit cards, but local governments are beginning to take a stand against the banking giant. Oak Hill, a suburb of Nashville, Tennessee, temporarily stopped an upcoming transfer of several million dollars to Bank of America in order to see how Bank of America defended its program. "I was very concerned with Bank of America giving credit to those people who have come into this country illegally," Oak Hill City Commissioner Chip Throckmorton said to the Tennessean. "I think it is counter-productive and endangering to all of us. I've got a real problem with a company that rewards law breakers."
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ICE Raids Net 200 Illegal Aliens at Popular Restaurant Chains
Last week, Immigration and Customs Enforcement raided restaurants in 40 cities across 17 different states, arresting illegal alien workers provided by a subcontractor who, the authorities said, was maximizing profits and evading taxes. According to the Houston Chronicle, about 200 illegal aliens were detained nationwide from such restaurants as the Hard Rock Cafe, Planet Hollywood, ESPN Zone and other well-known chains in what federal authorities called Operation Clean-up.
The raid was the result of a 20-month investigation into RCI, Inc., a multi-million dollar janitorial services corporation. Federal prosecutors have now indicted several executives of that company on charges that they knowingly employed nearly 200 illegal aliens as cleaning staff. In particular, Richard Rosenbaum, Edward Scott Cunningham, and Christina Flocken are accused of paying illegal workers in cash and set up shell companies to hide assets from the Internal Revenue Service. The federal government has charged them with failing to pay $18.6 million in federal employment taxes on $54 million in custodial and grounds-keeping contracts between 2001 and 2005. According to the head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Julie Myers, the trio divided nearly $7 million and made purchases such as "racehorses, fancy boats and lavish homes" in Florida and California.
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Border Violence on the Rise
While enforcement efforts at the U.S.-Mexico border have improved in recent months, an escalated level of brutal violence has been observed in the Southwest directly related to the human smuggling trade. All categories of border violence - from assaults on border agents to acts of homicide by rival smugglers and drug cartels - are increasing by troubling numbers.
Many believe the increase in violence is a sign of desperation among smugglers and coyotes who are seeing more and more of their trafficking routes closed off by law enforcement. According to reports from the Newhouse News Service, border officials point to the effectiveness of stepped-up enforcement efforts, including hiring more border patrol agents, setting up additional cameras and lookout towers and deploying 6,000 National Guard troops to the border. These efforts, combined with an overall deterrence effect, have led to a reduction in border crossings. Unfortunately, these actions have also led smugglers and coyotes to become even more brazen in their attmepts to move "cargo" across the border.
In the latest incident, during the early morning hours of February 8, 2007, three illegal aliens were shot to death, three were seriously wounded and another two dozen illegal aliens went missing after gunmen wielding AK-47s shot several rounds into the truck transporting them across the border. As the Washington Post explained, it is not clear whether the attack was the work of rival smugglers, extremist vigilantes or "bajadores" - crews of bandits who steal human cargo throughout southern Arizona and from Phoenix stash houses to extort ransom from their families in Latin America or the United States. "What is unusual is the recent frequency of the violence, the fact these incidents resulted in deaths and that they occurred in the desert, where the crime scenes are hard to find within the thousands of acres of sand and brush," observed Alonzo Pena, the new Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agent in charge of Arizona.
Regardless of the motives behind the recent eruptions of violence, many illegal aliens are scared. Speaking to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Jose Luis Zavala - a Mexican national who has been detained by border agents on over 20 occasions over the last 10 years - stated, "I'm a lot more afraid of the narcos [drug dealers] than la migra [Border Patrol]."
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Press Release
Bank of America in Full Spin Mode (February 23, 2007)

2007-02-25T08:37:00.000-06:00

Associated Press (Watch These Boys)U.S to Allow Mexican Trucks to Cross Border Washington - The news that Mexican trucks will be allowed to haul freight deeper into the United States drew an angry reaction Friday from labor leaders, safety advocates and members of Congress. They said Mexico has substandard trucks and low-paid drivers that will threaten national security, cost thousands of jobs and endanger motorists on the northern side of the Mexican border.
Hoffa Blasts Bush Plan to Open Border to Unsafe Mexican Trucks"...President Bush is willing to risk our national security by giving unfettered access to America's transportation infrastructure to foreign companies and their government sponsors."

2007-02-23T12:31:00.000-06:00

Lou Dobbs Tonight - CNN - February 22Dobbs: Corporate lobbyists and special interest groups are helping Senator Edward Kennedy write legislation that would give millions of illegal aliens amnesty. The legislative work is being done in secret. [...]Roy Beck, Numbers USA: Senator Kennedy has been inviting the stakeholders of this bill to come in. So that's the Chamber of Commerce. And it's the National Council of La Raza, and it's the immigration attorneys. Basically, the stakeholders are people who make money or gain power off of it. But how about the American people? Watch Amnesty / Crackdown Transcript

2007-02-21T13:08:00.000-06:00

Bank of America Issues Credit Cards to Illegal Aliens

Bank of American caused an uproar last week when it announced a new program aimed at giving credit cards to illegal aliens. The new Bank of America program, described in depth by the Wall Street Journal, "is open to people who lack both a Social Security number and a credit history, as long as they have held a checking account with the bank for three months without an overdraft." Most adults in the U.S. who do not have a Social Security number are illegal aliens.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Bank of America estimates that about 28 million Hispanics live in its operating area and that most of them, legal or illegal, do not have a bank. Bank of America hopes the credit card program will increase business among Hispanics. "If we don't disproportionately grow in the Hispanic [market]...we aren't going to grow" as a bank, said Liam McGee, Bank of America's consumer and small-business banking chief.
Bank of America tested the credit card program last year at five of its branches in Los Angeles, and last week expanded it to 51 branches in Los Angeles County, home to the largest concentration of illegal immigrants in the U.S. The bank hopes to roll out the program nationally later this year.
In the Wall Street Journal, Bank of America defended its credit card program as legal, saying it complies with U.S. banking and antiterrorism laws. This appears to be true. After 9/11, Congress added provisions to the Patriot Act intended to stop U.S. banks from being used as conduits for money laundering and terrorist financing. In particular, Section 326 of the Patriot Act required all banks to take steps to ensure that they could reasonably verify the identity of customers opening accounts. However, when the U.S. Treasury promulgated regulations in 2003 to implement Section 326, it made a variety of exceptions favoring big business. These exceptions allowed banks to accept unreliable information, such as Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) and foreign consular identification cards, to establish identity.
The Chicago Tribune reports that despite Bank of America's recent move to capture the Hispanic market, it was Wells Fargo that kicked off the competition in 2001, when it became the first U.S. bank to accept identification cards from Mexican consulates to open an account. Since then, Wells Fargo has opened more than 1 million accounts for Mexicans using the consular card. It also accepts Guatemalan, Argentine and Colombian identity cards. The assumption is that most immigrants using the cards to identify themselves are here illegally, said a Wells Fargo spokeswoman, but the bank doesn't ask. The Chicago Tribune also reports that Citibank issues credit cards to some aliens without Social Security numbers if they have taxpayer identification numbers. Citibank issues such cards under its own brand and the brand of its subsidiary, Banamex USA.
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Democrats Seek Alliance with Bush on "Comprehensive" Immigration Reform
Democratic leaders proved last week that powerful special interests can trump even bitter partisanship by reaching out to forge an alliance with President Bush on the issue of "comprehensive" immigration reform. In a meeting between the President and Congressional leaders of both parties last Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) urged Bush to participate in shaping immigration reform legislation on Capitol Hill.
Speaking to CongressDaily after the meeting, Reid stated it was not enough for the President simply to state his desire for "comprehensive" immigration reform. "[President Bush]," he said, "needs to assign people to be working with us on a daily basis to get this done…I want their input." Senator Reid continued by suggesting the President need not submit a specific proposal for action to take place in committee, but indicated that he wanted the White House involved in the process. "We want to know how the White House feels. I want them there every day when we're working on this to give us their ideas….Unless the President weighs in on this, it's going to be very tough sledding."
A White House official responded to Majority Leader Reid's statements by saying the President was committed to putting serious effort into moving an immigration bill. He indicated that White House aides have already had conversations with lawmakers and would be involved in the process as soon as the Democrats turned from their "first 100 hours" agenda, according to CongressDaily. "Rest assured, comprehensive immigration reform is at the top of the priority list for the president," the official said.
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Voinovich Succeeds in Adding Visa Waiver Expansion Language into 9/11 Security Bill
During last week's mark-up of the 9/11 Commission bill in the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, an amendment offered by Senator George Voinovich (R-OH) to expand the Visa Waiver Program was adopted. The amendment, based on the same premise as Senator Voinovich's visa wavier bill (S.342), relaxes the criteria for participation in the Visa Waiver Program by allowing the Department of Homeland Security to waive the visa refusal rate when determining whether a country may participate. The visa refusal rate is the rate at which U.S. officials deny visas to foreign nationals of a particular country based on immigration or security concern. Under current law, a low visa refusal rate is required to participate in the Visa Waiver Program.
In January, Senator Voinovich introduced a bill (S.342) that would have accomplished a similar goal—legislatively implementing President Bush's proposal to expand the Visa Waiver Program. As introduced, Senator Voinovich's bill created a pilot program allowing five countries to participate in the Visa Waiver Program under relaxed visa refusal criteria. Senator Voinovich's amendment to the 9/11 Commission bill, however, went far beyond his original bill by allowing an unlimited number of countries to participate in the Visa Waiver Program without satisfying current visa refusal rate requirements so long as they meet other security criteria. The amendment was adopted without opposition in the Senate Homeland Security Committee and Governmental Affairs Committee.
Critics maintain that the Senator's plan to expand the Visa Waiver Program will be detrimental to national security as several terrorists - including 9/11 conspirator Zarcarias Moussaoui - boarded planes to the United States with passports issued in visa waiver countries. Loosening an already broken immigration system will only serve to undermine the spirit of the 9/11 Commission's suggestions for a safer America, the basis of the 9/11 Commission bill. The 9/11 Commission bill, as amended, will now be sent to the Senate Floor for consideration. Debate on the bill is expected to begin after the Presidents' Day recess.
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Senator Collins Introduces Legislation to Delay Implementation of REAL ID Act
On February 13, 2007, Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, introduced legislation to delay the implementation of the REAL ID Act. The REAL ID Act, passed in 2005, provides that states must implement a core set of standards for issuing driver's licenses in order for those licenses to be accepted as identification by federal agencies. Under current law, all states must comply with the REAL ID Act by May 2008.
According to a released statement, Senator Collins' legislation would give the Department of Homeland Security the authority to delay or waive the requirements for REAL ID compliance if states do not have the ability, or technical capability to comply. In addition, her bill would create a committee of federal officials, state officials, privacy advocates, and other interested parties to review the proposed regulations and to suggest modifications.
Senator Collins announced her intent to delay implementation of the REAL ID Act after meeting with officials from the State of Maine. The Maine Legislature, as FAIR reported last week, was the first state legislature to formally adopt a resolution opposing the REAL ID Act. Senator Collins says her bill would give states "a more reasonable time frame" to comply with these federal standards. The bill, S.563, is co-sponsored by Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME).
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Update on the Ramos-Compean Case
Members of Congress continue to speak out on this case and pressure President Bush to pardon Agents Ramos and Compean. An article appearing in Saturday's Washington Post provides readers with a good summary of recent events. It reads:
Early last week, the Bush administration urged angry conservatives to remain calm over the convictions of two former Border Patrol agents who shot an unarmed Mexican drug smuggler, but petitions for their release continued to flood the White House.It did not help that one of the agents, Ignacio Ramos, was beaten by Latino gang members in his cell at the Yazoo City Federal Correctional Complex in Mississippi. Days after prison officials confirmed the attack on Feb. 8, Department of Homeland Security officials admitted that an inspector general's report erroneously quoted Border Patrol agents as saying Ramos and his partner, Jose Compean, intended to kill Mexicans. Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., founder of the House Immigration Reform Caucus and a presidential candidate, visited Ramos in prison and told him of the movement against his incarceration, including candlelight vigils, rallies and a storm of criticism on conservative talk radio and television.Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Huntington Beach, threatened to call for impeachment proceedings against President Bush if the agents were harmed in prison, and Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., promised to look into the matter. John Gage, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, said the 700 people who will attend the organization's annual convention in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 25 will "speak with one voice" against the prosecution and conviction of the agents. The union, which represents Border Patrol agents and other federal workers, implored Bush in a letter this month to pardon Ramos and Compean.
To read the full article, click here.
In addition, this week Congressman Ted Poe (R-TX) circulated a letter to Congressional leaders requesting that they conduct immediate hearings into all aspects of the case. The letter further states: "The implications of this case are far reaching for the control and security of America's borders. Our Border Patrol agents have an especially dangerous and difficult job, and because of the outcome of this case, many are now second guessing themselves and questioning when and where they should draw their weapons out of fear of prosecution." The letter currently has at least 13 cosigners, including Representatives Duncan Hunter (R-CA), Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE), John Culberson (R-TX), Walter Jones (R-NC), Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), Sue Myrick (R-NC), Frank Wolf (R-VA), Ralph Hall (R-TX), Dan Burton (R-IN), Steve Pearce (R-NM), Barbara Cubin (R-WY), Ed Royce (R-CA), and Tom Tancredo (R-CO).
After the letter is circulated, it will be sent to Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Rep. John Conyers (Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee), Rep. Bennie Thompson (Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee) and Rep. Henry Waxman (Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee). Stay tuned to FAIR for more updates on the Ramos-Compean case.
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Recent Floor Statements
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) commented on Support Comprehensive Immigration Reform (February 16, 2007)
Rep. Bob Filner (D-CA) commented on Introduction Of The "Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act,'' H.R. 1073 (February 15, 2007)
Rep. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) commented on Real ID Card (February 15, 2007)
Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX) commented on The Sign Must Stay (February 12, 2007)
Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC) commented on United States Border Patrol Agents Campion And Ramos (February 12, 2007)

2007-02-21T09:30:00.000-06:00

Lou Dobbs Tonight - CNN - February 20Mary Stillinger, Attorney: ....they can't hold back on evidence just because it's helpful to the defense. And, if fact, they have an obligation to turn that over. Wian: The document lists the names of Border Patrol agents and supervisors who were at the scene. It also says, "Investigation disclosed that none of the above agents reported the shooting or the subsequent cover-up."Poe: The more that comes out about this case, the more it seems that the prosecution was relentless in making sure these border agents were convicted. And this is just another example of another piece of evidence that the defense should have known about, the jury should have known about during the trial to make their determination on whether these border agents even violated the law or not. Watch Agents / Fence Transcript

2007-02-19T08:57:00.000-06:00

TOM TANCREDO

2007-02-19T08:47:00.000-06:00

Tom Tancredo Visits Border Agent Ramos in Yazoo Prison

2007-02-18T14:11:00.000-06:00

Lou Dobbs Tonight -- CNN -- February 16Sutton: We have no evidence -- if someone has some evidence that this van driver, that this illegal alien committed a crime, I would be happy to have it, because I would be happy to put this guy in prison for as long as we possibly can.Wian: Trial transcripts reveal there was plenty of evidence that Aldrete-Davila in fact had been transporting marijuana that day and again several months later.[...]Bonner: They had him in custody. He was in a federal courtroom and would have been a very simple matter to have one of the U.S. marshals put the cuffs on him and lead him out, charge him with those offenses. And they failed to do that. Watch Transcript

reply,

Johnny Sutton, is a dirtbag!

2007-02-18T08:43:00.000-06:00

Full Disclosure Video: California's three strikes law exempts invadersLos Angeles -- In seven-minute news video blog the Full Disclosure Network presents L. A. County District Attorney Steve Cooley, Supervisor Michael Antonovich and Sheriff Leroy Baca describing how criminal aliens are NOT prosecuted under California's Three Strikes Law. This shocking and revealing video can be viewed....