Thread: TN: Robin Smith: Immigration Issue Must Be A Priority

Robin Smith: Immigration Issue Must Be A Priority
by Robin Smith
posted August 1, 2010

As we watch the events unfolding in Arizona, it’s difficult for many to understand the mentality of a federal government that stubbornly refuses to address the issue of border security, preferring instead to use our tax dollars to file suit against a state that is making a small effort to deal with the growing problem of illegal immigration.

We hear a lot of talk about this issue. Talk about walls, fences and surveillance. But, for the most part, it really is just talk. Tennesseans understand that the federal government has no true interest in securing our border. The only interest liberals show in immigration reform is tied to providing amnesty for illegal immigrants. We can and must separate the Constitutional duty of protecting our nation from the idea that performing that duty must include rewarding those who have broken our laws.

I have been consistent in this campaign on the need to change the way we handle this issue. I have called for a new look at the interpretation of the 14th Amendment that improperly grants the children of illegals born in the United States automatic citizenship. I support restrictions on benefits given to illegals who are not contributing to the community, only taking from it. I believe we must have a full accounting of the methods and procedures of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency that is charged with enforcement of our immigration laws and the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services that oversees processing of applications for legal immigrants as well as other services such as the process of foreign adoptions. Neither is performing their duties with efficiency. And I will never support the idea of attacking one of our states for doing what the federal government refuses to do.

But before we look at any other issue, we must secure our border.

We’ve all seen the pictures from our southern border. Walls easily scaled and fences half finished while President Obama claims we have more enforcement on the border than we ever have. He wants you to believe him, not your own eyes. Americans are smart enough to know political doubletalk when they hear it, and it’s all we are getting from Obama. Just this week, a Department of Homeland Security memo emerged that lays the groundwork for providing amnesty to illegals without a vote of the Congress. Clearly this president is more interested in the political rewards he thinks he will receive from granting amnesty than he is in enforcing our laws. I will oppose with conviction any effort to subvert our laws by this or any other president. This issue is too important to be a made a tool of political power.

As your member of Congress, I will work toward true reform that makes our immigration agencies accountable. I will fight amnesty every step of the way and I will fight for the resources we need to close our border to dangerous illegal elements. If our government cannot handle this fundamental issue, then we need no more proof of the critical necessity for a new direction in Washington. This issue is not difficult. It can be solved with leaders who have the courage to deal with the issue and the will to act.

Robin Smith
Hixson
Candidate for Congress

http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_181049.asp

Robin Smith is exactly the type of congressional Reps. we need to turn this whole immigration mess around.