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Tancredo Introduces Legislation to Preclude Citizenship for Babies Born to Undocumented

Tom Tancredo is in need of an attention fix for his fledgling Presidential campaign that while never getting off the ground still took a nose-dive when immigration reform fell off the table.

His latest is to introduce a bill that he knows will not pass but hopes will push emotional buttons back into overdrive.

Everybody knows that if you are born in this country, you automatically are a U.S. citizen. Under Tancredo's bill, a baby born to undocumented residents would be stripped of citizenship.

Tancredo's legal foundation for this is his unique view of the 14th Amendment. How unique?

Tancredo doesn't have any co-sponsors for his bill. Asked what support he expected, Tancredo, standing alone on a podium, looked to the right and the left and noted the absence of fellow lawmakers.

More...

Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition director Julien Ross condemned Tancredo's bill as a stunt.

"It provides no solution to our broken immigration system," Ross said. "It's a complete slap in the face of hardworking immigrants, and it's out of touch with what the American people want."

Here are the specifics of Tancredo's bill:

  • Eliminates family-based immigration for extended family members of U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
  • Changes the automatic citizenship granted to U.S.-born children. Those children become citizens only when one parent is a citizen or permanent legal resident.
  • Prohibits states from granting in-state tuition rates to illegal immigrants unless they offer the same tuition level to all U.S. citizens, regardless of state of residence.
  • Requires the president to build border fences authorized by Congress in 1996 and 2006.
  • Allows imprisonment of not less than one year of an employer who repeatedly and knowingly hires illegal immigrants.
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  • Display: Sort:
    There's just that one problem . . . (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by txpublicdefender on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 10:27:03 AM EST
    You know, the fact that the 14th Amendment says that:

    All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.

    The last time I looked, the Congress can't overrule the Constitution.

    As for all the so-called "support" for this type of thing, that is just ridiculous.  The vast majority of Americans support a path to citizenship for those currently here illegally.  To be sure, a very vocal minority flooded Congress with calls against the latest proposal, but that hardly represents widespread opposition to the bill.

    txpublicdefender (none / 0) (#9)
    by jimakaPPJ on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 11:32:38 AM EST
    Uh, the polls showed 80%. Do you always disagree with polls??

    No, but the Constitution can be amended.

    As I said. This is a good start.

    Parent

    THE POLLS SHOWED 80% WHAT? (5.00 / 0) (#47)
    by Sailor on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 09:33:53 PM EST
    you previous statements said the polls showed 80% were opposed. That's a lie. 50%, (from your own link), were opposed.

    Why did you lie?

    Parent

    THE POLLS DID NOT STATE 80% OPPOSED (5.00 / 0) (#67)
    by Sailor on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 10:49:38 PM EST
    like you previously stated over and over. Nowhere in those polls is 80% or even 78%.

    50% OPPOSED, 52% REPUBLICANS OPPOSED.

    Parent

    Sailor (1.00 / 0) (#72)
    by jimakaPPJ on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 11:27:04 PM EST
    Among the public, there is a bi-partisan lack of enthusiasm for the Senate bill. It is supported by 22% of Republicans, 23% of Democrats, and 22% of those not affiliated with either major party. It is opposed by 52% of Republicans, 50% of Democrats, and 48% of unaffiliateds.

    The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that just 22% of American voters currently favor the legislation.

    What does this mean??

    1. Only 22% would vote for the bill.

    2. 78% are somewhere else. Parse away, but no support us de facto opposition.


    Parent
    what poll? (none / 0) (#23)
    by Sailor on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 03:36:52 PM EST
    PPJ STATED OVER AND OVER ... (5.00 / 0) (#51)
    by Sailor on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 09:45:40 PM EST
    ... as a fact, that 80% of Americans opposed the immigration bill.

    That's not true. According to his own referenced poll only 50% of Americans did.

    I not only read the poll, I call spell aspirins.

    Because (5.00 / 0) (#55)
    by squeaky on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 09:52:18 PM EST
    Among other things, ppj is the wind up doll, he winds us up. Not so bad thing. Like playing computer chess in the easy mode, vert satisfying to win because he is playing by different rules.

    digby hits it with another great post, of course compared to the big guys, ppj is an relentless amateur.

    et al (1.00 / 0) (#1)
    by jimakaPPJ on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 10:10:09 AM EST
    I don't know. Two months ago I would have said it had zero chance, but after the overloaded telephone system serving Congress got shut down by the call volume of people opposing the so called "reform" bill, it may be that it has more support than previously known.

    Either way, progress is being made. Good o for Tom T. Of all the politicians I have met he came across as the most "real."


    Mainstream Not (5.00 / 2) (#3)
    by squeaky on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 10:56:50 AM EST

    Tancredo doesn't have any co-sponsors for his bill. Asked what support he expected, Tancredo, standing alone on a podium, looked to the right and the left and noted the absence of fellow lawmakers.

    He needs you ppj.

    Parent

    squaky (1.00 / 0) (#10)
    by jimakaPPJ on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 11:33:48 AM EST
    And he has me. And a bunch of other very vocal, angry, disgusted and ready to change things US Citizens.

    Parent
    Mead Would Be Proud (none / 0) (#13)
    by squeaky on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 12:56:01 PM EST
    Good luck. Sounds like quite the bunch. Glad that you are a tiny minority. I guess the womenfolk and the keyboard commandos are keeping the issue alive in the heimland, while the militants train over in Iraq.

    Parent
    Squeky (none / 0) (#19)
    by jimakaPPJ on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 02:51:11 PM EST
    80% is a tiny number??

    Who knew??

    Parent

    hahahhahaha (none / 0) (#21)
    by squeaky on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 03:17:32 PM EST
    80% of 10 is 8. That is a very very tiny number compared with a trillion. What is your point? A math lesson??

    Parent
    squeaky (none / 0) (#28)
    by jimakaPPJ on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 05:20:19 PM EST
    Nope.... I would never try to teach you anything.

    Just remember they shut down the Senate's  phone system and stopped a bill that both leaderships wanted passed..

    And that all of the Repub candidates were against it.

    Does that help you???

    Parent

    cite the polls saying 80% (none / 0) (#35)
    by Sailor on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 08:41:52 PM EST
    or even 78%

    Parent
    cite the polls saying '80%' (none / 0) (#26)
    by Sailor on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 05:15:17 PM EST
    Sailor (none / 0) (#27)
    by jimakaPPJ on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 05:17:44 PM EST
    Ok it was 78%

    You got me....

    Parent

    Phantom 78% (none / 0) (#29)
    by squeaky on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 05:26:48 PM EST
    Ok it was 78%

    Looks like operative word from your phantom poll is:was.

    But now Tancredo can't even get a co-sponsor for his unconstitutional bill.

    Parent

    squeaky (1.00 / 0) (#41)
    by jimakaPPJ on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 09:08:41 PM EST
    Of course not.

    Tom T's play is to get attention.

    Kinda like Reid saying the war is lost.

    But the 78% is a real number. Politicans aren't dumb.

    Look forward to a constitutional amendmemt to fix the 14th.

    Parent

    No, it's not (none / 0) (#85)
    by Sailor on Fri Jul 13, 2007 at 06:43:21 PM EST
    But the 78% is a real number. Politicans aren't dumb.
    78% is an imaginary number. 50% is the real number who were opposed.

    Some politicians are dumb, but they can count votes. That's why republicans sank the immigration bill.

    Parent

    CITE THE POLLS ppj (none / 0) (#37)
    by Sailor on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 08:49:30 PM EST
    All currently living in a compound (none / 0) (#84)
    by jondee on Fri Jul 13, 2007 at 06:22:01 PM EST
    in the wilds of Idaho.

    Parent
    It is pointless (5.00 / 2) (#6)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 11:05:44 AM EST
    Tancredo should propose and amendment to the Constitution. This is just a joke to satisfy ingorance.

    Parent
    Pointless? That depends (none / 0) (#7)
    by Sumner on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 11:11:03 AM EST
    It serves to fuel hate. It acts as a distraction.

    Parent
    Sumner (1.00 / 0) (#20)
    by jimakaPPJ on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 03:02:55 PM EST
    Why does it fuel hate??  It seems to me that it is the opposite.

    Should illegal aliens be charged the same tutition and fees as in-state residents while a citizen from another state is charged  more??

    If you are in the country illegally, why should your child be granted citizenship? Should all results from illegal acts --- being in the country illegal is illegal --- be considered "legal?"

    What this would do is remove the so-called anchor babies.

    What is wrong about requiring the President to follow a law passed last year?? A few months ago BTD was lecturing me that the President is required to do so without a specific bill. Wouldn't a "I meant it!" bill clarify things?

    Why should a citizen or permanent resident be allowed to bring in "extended" family??

    And what is wrong with locking employers who are hiring illegal aliens, depressing the job market for  US citizens??

    Parent

    an American diaspora? (none / 0) (#24)
    by Sumner on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 04:39:09 PM EST
    The need for demagogy to make people feel superior to others seems perhaps to be founded in religion.

    But perhaps that is itself too broad a generalization.

    I am reminded of the opening paragraphs of Sir Thomas Browne's Religio Medici:

    For my Religion, though there be severall circumstances that might perswade the world I have none at all, as the generall scandall of my profession, the naturall course of my studies, the indifferency of my behaviour, and discourse in matters of Religion, neither violently defending one, nor with that common ardour and contention opposing another; yet in despight hereof I dare, without usurpation, assume the honorable stile of a Christian: not that I meerely owe this title to the Font, my education, or Clime wherein I was borne, as being bred up either to confirme those principles my Parents instilled into my unwary understanding; or by a generall consent proceed in the Religion of my Countrey: But having, in my riper yeares, and confirmed judgement, seene and examined all, I finde my selfe obliged by the principles of Grace, and the law of mine owne reason, to embrace no other name but this; neither doth herein my zeale so farre make me forget the generall charitie I owe unto humanity, as rather to hate then pity Turkes, Infidels, and (what is worse) Jewes, rather contenting my selfe to enjoy that happy stile, then maligning those who refuse so glorious a title.

    But because the name of a Christian is become too generall to expresse our faith, there being a Geography of Religions as well as Lands, and every Clime distinguished not onely by their lawes and limits, but circumscribed by their doctrines and rules of Faith...



    Parent
    birthright (none / 0) (#25)
    by Sumner on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 04:53:46 PM EST
    From the Theosophical Society:

    "We are not brought into existence by chance nor thrown up into earth-life like wreckage cast along the shore, but are here for infinitely noble purposes." ~~ Katherine Tingley

    Parent

    Sumner (1.00 / 0) (#43)
    by jimakaPPJ on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 09:15:16 PM EST
    We are not brought into existence by chance

    Oh, really??

    Tell that to the mother of the third child....

    Parent

    Why I am not surprised... (none / 0) (#8)
    by Molly Bloom on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 11:20:34 AM EST
    Enough Sniping (1.00 / 0) (#74)
    by Jeralyn on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 11:49:09 PM EST
    Sailor and PPJ, take it to email if you want to engage in your own personal insulting thread.

    I've cleaned the repetitive insults. Name calling of other commenters and personal attacks are not allowed. Make your point civilly and move on to the next.

    Sorry Jeralyn (5.00 / 0) (#76)
    by Sailor on Fri Jul 13, 2007 at 01:50:40 AM EST
    But it isn't an insult if a commenter repeatedly states 80% of people were against that immigration bill and all another commenter does is ask for a link.

    When the link was finally provided it turned out that THAT commenter was wrong. Only 50% in the rasmussen poll were against the bill.

    I guess since I'm not a lawyer or a salesman I think facts trump opinion.

    As a scientist I'm just funny that way.

    Kick me off if you want, I'm happy to depart from a site where rules are selectively enforced.

    The world isn't fair, but blogtopia should be.


    Parent

    Sailor (1.00 / 0) (#77)
    by jimakaPPJ on Fri Jul 13, 2007 at 10:38:13 AM EST
    What I have done is state an opinion. So as to not mislead, I even, at your request, provided a link to the poll, and have never argued that your "50%" is wrong. In fact, I even quoted it.

    So let me restate. In my opinion, if 22% do not favor the bill then 78% oppose it.

    Rasmussen Reports was the first polling firm to document the broad public opposition to the Senate bill.

    Fifty percent (50%) oppose the Senate bill while 28% are not sure.

    And yes, I am a retired salesman. And, as a salesman, I learned long ago that if someone is "not sure" about something important to them, they will oppose it if a decision must be made.

    The Senate understood this, and decided to stop the bill.

    Parent

    you said polls showed 80% disapproved (none / 0) (#78)
    by Sailor on Fri Jul 13, 2007 at 11:35:57 AM EST
    You didn't say your opinion was that 80% disapproved, you stated it as a fact. When called on it you lied, denied and backtracked.

    In my opinion, if 22% do not favor the bill then 78% oppose it
    What a perfect example of your reading, comprehension and writing skills.

    Parent
    Sailor (1.00 / 0) (#83)
    by jimakaPPJ on Fri Jul 13, 2007 at 06:18:04 PM EST
    Sailor. At 11:27 last night I made the following comments. My position hasn't changed.

    Sailor (1.00 / 1) (#72)
    by jimakaPPJ on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 11:27:04 PM EST

       

    Among the public, there is a bi-partisan lack of enthusiasm for the Senate bill. It is supported by 22% of Republicans, 23% of Democrats, and 22% of those not affiliated with either major party. It is opposed by 52% of Republicans, 50% of Democrats, and 48% of unaffiliateds.

    The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that just 22% of American voters currently favor the legislation.

    What does this mean??

       1. Only 22% would vote for the bill.

       2. 78% are somewhere else. Parse away, but no support us de facto opposition.

    Now, read item 2 very carefully. De facto obviously means that I consider that to be true, but not in the legal sense...

    You are manufacturing a tempest when there isn't one. The internet is about "opinions."

    Parent

    the internet ... (none / 0) (#86)
    by Sailor on Fri Jul 13, 2007 at 06:57:24 PM EST
    ... just like real life is about facts. Your opinion is contrary to fact. You stated polls showed 80% were opposed. That was the opposite of a fact.

    50% of Americans and 52% of republicans were opposed. You can lie all you want about the polls and about the meaning of the term 'de facto', but it doesn't change reality.

    Parent

    Sailor (none / 0) (#87)
    by jimakaPPJ on Fri Jul 13, 2007 at 07:11:33 PM EST
    If you want to argue over 2%, be my guest.

    I wrote what I wrote and I stand behind it.

    I am done with trying to debate you.

    Parent

    what 2%? (1.00 / 0) (#88)
    by Sailor on Fri Jul 13, 2007 at 07:35:22 PM EST
    You stated as a fact, several times, that 80% were opposed. That was not true. It's not a matter of opinion, it is a matter of fact. You were off, not by 2%, but by 30%.

    No one 'debates' with you, they just point out your constant fallacies.

    Parent

    Sailor (none / 0) (#89)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat Jul 14, 2007 at 12:37:35 PM EST
    cite the polls saying 80% (none / 0) (#35)
    by Sailor on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 08:41:52 PM EST
    or even 78%

    Sailor (none / 0) (#27)
    by jimakaPPJ on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 05:17:44 PM EST
    Ok it was 78%

    You got me....



    Parent
    If Tancredo want (none / 0) (#4)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 11:04:57 AM EST
     to propose a Constitutional Amendment, that is his right.

    This is a joke.

    And Let's Not Forget Just Why It Is (none / 0) (#36)
    by Peter G on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 08:48:45 PM EST
    ... that the Constitution was amended in 1868, following the Civil War, to add those words at the beginning of the Fourteenth Amendment.  "All persons born in the United States ... and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside ...." ("[A]nd subject to the jurisdiction thereof" simply acknowledges the principle of international law that children of diplomats serving abroad, wherever born, remain citizens of their own countries.) First, this phrase overruled one of the most evil Supreme Court opinions of all time, the Dred Scott decision, which had held that persons born in the United States whose ancestors came from Africa (you know who, in other words) were not and could never be citizens, and therefore did not have and could not have equal rights.  And second, equally important and equally having to do with Who Won the Civil War, was the formalization of the very idea of a "citizen of the United States" -- someone who was not merely a "citizen" of a State "wherein they reside," but of the entire Nation. (Before this, the Constitution referred to "the people of the United States" but only to "citizens" of States.)  To amend this language would be to vote to overturn the outcome of the Civil War ... literally.  If there are passages in our Constitution which are sacred text, and should be considered beyond amendment, this would be one of them.  

    Parent
    Peter G (1.00 / 0) (#46)
    by jimakaPPJ on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 09:31:37 PM EST
    To amend this language would be to vote to overturn the outcome of the Civil War ...

    Huh?? The Civil War has been over for 142 years.

    Do you think maybe the last slave is dead??

    Parent

    *ism all-the-way (none / 0) (#5)
    by Sumner on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 11:05:00 AM EST
    History might advise us to never underestimate the power of a demagogue

    yup, agitprop (none / 0) (#12)
    by Sumner on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 12:15:27 PM EST


    Now, the facts (none / 0) (#14)
    by LonewackoDotCom on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 01:39:23 PM EST
    From google:
    Senator Jacob Howard, the author of the citizenship clause, made the most precise statement about the character of the limitation contained in the "jurisdiction" clause:

    "[E]very person born within the limits of the United States, and subject to their jurisdiction, is by virtue of natural law and national law a citizen of the United States.

    This will not, of course, include persons born in the United States who are foreigners, aliens, who belong to the families of ambassadors or foreign ministers accredited to the Government of the United States, but will include every other class of persons.

    It settles the great question of citizenship and removes all doubt as to what persons are or are not citizens of the United States. This has long been a great desideratum in the jurisprudence and legislation of this country."

    Clearly, the author of the citizenship clause intended to count "foreigners," "aliens," and those born to "ambassadors or foreign ministers" as outside the "jurisdiction of the United States."

    Ironically enough, Sen Howard's middle name is "Merritt."

    Parent

    Watch out for any statement that begins ... (none / 0) (#38)
    by Peter G on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 08:56:54 PM EST
    ... with "clearly."  It's usually a trick.  As in "Clearly, the author of the citizenship clause intended to count 'foreigners,' 'aliens,' and those born to 'ambassadors or foreign ministers' as outside the 'jurisdiction of the United States.'"  Note that the commentator has inserted the "and" which wasn't in the original statement, thus changing its meaning.  What's "clear," to those familiar with the English language, is that the speaker understood the phrase "foreigners, aliens" to exclude babies born in the U.S. to citizens of other countries unless they were offspring of "ambassadors or foreign ministers."  An apposition is not a conjunction, dude.

    Parent
    So I've done some more research into this (none / 0) (#79)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Jul 13, 2007 at 12:48:49 PM EST
    issue and clearly ;-) the members of congress had many differing and sometimes quite contentious opinions about what the amendment should mean, so in order to get the amendment passed, they "compromised" by agreeing to final verbiage that they knew was murky enough such that it could be interpreted several different ways.

    Parent
    Too late ... (none / 0) (#16)
    by Sailor on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 01:58:21 PM EST
    ... the 'but I didn't mean it that way!' defense has left the building.

    The Supreme Court's ruling in Plyler v. Doe[3] stated that illegal immigrants are "within the jurisdiction" of the states in which they reside, and added in a footnote that "no plausible distinction with respect to Fourteenth Amendment 'jurisdiction' can be drawn between resident aliens whose entry into the United States was lawful, and resident aliens whose entry was unlawful." Some legislators, reacting to illegal immigration, have proposed that this be changed, either through legislation or a constitutional amendment. If the Supreme Court adheres to current interpretations of the Fourteenth Amendment, then it may be that only an amendment would be effective to bar the children of illegal immigrants from citizenship, although Plyler did not explicitly address the question of children born in the United States to illegal aliens or other non-citizens; the children dealt with in Plyler were born outside the U.S.


    Parent
    was so new

    From wiki:

    Under the currently accepted reading of the U.S. Constitution's guarantee of birthright citizenship, any person born within the United States and subject to its jurisdiction is now automatically a U.S. citizen, regardless of the legal status or the citizenship of that individual's mother or father. Prior to the 1950s the children of "braceros", legal guest workers, were not so covered.


    Nor that Plyler v. Doe, was in 1982. (none / 0) (#18)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 02:44:43 PM EST
    I think it hinges on ... (none / 0) (#22)
    by Sailor on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 03:36:16 PM EST
    ... 'subject to the juridiction of.'

    They get arrested. tried, jailed ... INAL but that seems to qualify.

    Parent

    Fair point, but, (none / 0) (#80)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Jul 13, 2007 at 12:57:31 PM EST
    can they be compelled to do jury duty? Would their born outside the US children be truant if they chose not to attend school?

    ia(also)nal, but it would seem to me that they're not 'subject to the jurisdiction of' the US, at least not as much as most everyone else here...

    Parent

    and by such logic... (none / 0) (#30)
    by Sumner on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 05:44:37 PM EST
    If America can simply cast out certain of its children for non-sufficient pedigree, then what about Stem Cell research from donations provided by undocumented aliens?

    Sumner - Oh really?? (none / 0) (#33)
    by jimakaPPJ on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 08:04:17 PM EST
    Could you explain that??

    Parent
    dunno (none / 0) (#34)
    by Sumner on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 08:32:48 PM EST
    Would Bush accept new Stem Cell lines accepted from these "lesser people"?

    Or sperm donated, eggs donated,  neoblasts, embryos, etc. ...

    Or even, what (God-given) rights would be conferred or denied to offspring carried by surrogate citizen or non-citizen mothers?

    Parent

    Sumner (none / 0) (#44)
    by jimakaPPJ on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 09:24:43 PM EST
    I haven't the vaguest. Outside of making some nonsensical claim of racism, why do you bring it up??

    Bush has already said he will veto any bill that provides Federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. That seems pretty straight forward to me.

    Do I oppose it? Not particularlly. But if it has promise the VC's will be lined up to dump money into it. That they aren't speak volumes..

    BTW - Can you actually say:

    Illegal Aliens??

    Question. You still a million dollars and are caught after a year.

    Do you get to keep the interest??

    Parent

    maybe O/T but I'll give it a shot: (5.00 / 0) (#71)
    by Sumner on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 11:22:24 PM EST
    I choose less pejorative labels. Semiotics is the manipulation of symbols. There is power in naming. Those that name things are sometimes referred to as the priestly class. Rigorous Intuition has an essay up on semiotics. The actual word for the idea that, "the word is not the thing", is "nominalism", Roscellinus' theory that the object which is named is independent from the word or term, which has no objective real existence beyond mere vocal utterances, or writing, or mental imagery.

    Disgorgement and things like Fruit-of-the-Poison-Tree? Like "borrowing" the payroll and using it to hit it big in Vegas? Or plowing the loot from defalcation into other investments and then rolling those over?

    That is the Battle Royal going on right now. Government has used lies and fraud in order to pass draconian laws and to grow budgets. Those laws must be abrogated.

    Parent

    Sumner (1.00 / 0) (#73)
    by jimakaPPJ on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 11:34:25 PM EST
    Government has always done that, and if you want some agreement, I'm with you.

    But the issue here is how we shut down illegal immigration. That would give us time to figure out what we need to do with the 15M or so that are here illegally, and what we need to do going forward.

    The instructions on how to save a boat from sinking....:


    First you stop the leak.


    Parent
    It's become... (none / 0) (#31)
    by desertswine on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 05:59:04 PM EST
    a race against death.

    U.S. policy is centered on tighter border security rather than giving immigrants more options to find jobs legally.

    Tougher security along the U.S.-Mexico border is forcing migrants to take more dangerous, remote routes to cross into the United States and pushing up the number of deaths in the desert.

    This year could see a record of well over 500 such deaths. At least 275 Mexican bodies have been found in the first six months.



    desertswine (1.00 / 0) (#32)
    by jimakaPPJ on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 08:03:09 PM EST
    First of all, they aren't "immigrants."

    Secondly, how about worrying about US citizens?

    You know, our country and all that.

    We have to remember what happened to the NA's you know.

    Parent

    The children ARE American citizens ... (5.00 / 0) (#39)
    by Sailor on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 08:58:19 PM EST
    ... by the Constitution.

    BTW, cite your 80% or 78% or where ever you move the goal posts next polls.

    Parent

    I ignore... (5.00 / 0) (#81)
    by desertswine on Fri Jul 13, 2007 at 02:55:21 PM EST
    your spaghetti-brained xenophobic trolling.

    Parent
    This wasnt (5.00 / 0) (#82)
    by jondee on Fri Jul 13, 2007 at 06:14:27 PM EST
    an issue -- even though it's been going on for decades -- until a couple of years ago when the Rethug wedge issue boys "discovered" it. Meanwhile the problem of outsourcing dosnt exist and giving taz breaks to the outsourcers -- even during time of war and "sacrifice" -- remains a top priority.

    "Our country and all that." You're funny parrot boy.

    Parent