Thread: GA Democrat Congressman - 'There is an invasion going on'

Democrat Congressman Barrow returns from Az border and is to the right of Saxby Chambliss on illegal immigration and employment!

What's going on at the border is not a photo-op," Barrow said. "It's the real thing. There is an invasion going on."

Barrow said more than half a million illegal immigrants a year enter the United States, and that depresses the wages of citizens as well as immigrants here legally.

"This is not a victimless crime," Barrow said. "The victims are workers who have a right to be here.

Back from touring border areas in Arizona and Texas, U.S. Rep. John Barrow says he is more determined than ever to "stop the invasion."

The Savannah Democrat and half a dozen other congressmen spent two days near Tucson, Ariz., and El Paso, Texas. They saw border station facilities, met with border patrol and immigration officials and visited traffic checkpoints and border-crossing sites.

Barrow said Wednesday that he is committed to securing the borders before considering any so-called "comprehensive" immigration policies.

He has voted against so-called "amnesty" measures to let illegal immigrants stay in the country.

Barrow wants to secure borders, crack down on employers, deny benefits to illegals
Larry Peterson | Thursday, November 22, 2007

Back from touring border areas in Arizona and Texas, U.S. Rep. John Barrow says he is more determined than ever to "stop the invasion."

The Savannah Democrat and half a dozen other congressmen spent two days near Tucson, Ariz., and El Paso, Texas. They saw border station facilities, met with border patrol and immigration officials and visited traffic checkpoints and border-crossing sites.

Barrow said Wednesday that he is committed to securing the borders before considering any so-called "comprehensive" immigration policies.

He has voted against so-called "amnesty" measures to let illegal immigrants stay in the country.

Nationally, both parties are divided on the issue.

But Barrow's position "is a winning one in Georgia," said University of Georgia political science professor Charles Bullock.

Earlier this year, Bullock noted, U.S. Sens. Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson, both Republicans from Georgia, leaned toward a measure that included amnesty provisions.

"But they got caught in the firestorm of controversy and backed off," he said.

Barrow said he is not trying to head off Republicans who might label him as soft on amnesty when he seeks re-election next year. Last year, GOP challenger Max Burns used an out-of-context partial quote from a newspaper story to do so.

"What's going on at the border is not a photo-op," Barrow said. "It's the real thing. There is an invasion going on."

Barrow said more than half a million illegal immigrants a year enter the United States, and that depresses the wages of citizens as well as immigrants here legally.

"This is not a victimless crime," Barrow said. "The victims are workers who have a right to be here.

He said more fences, walls, detection equipment and - most of all, more border patrol agents - are needed at or near the border.

Facilities such as walls don't stop illegal immigrants but slow them down and extend the reach of patrol agents, Barrow said.

Moreover, Barrow said, employers must be required not only to ask workers for identification, but also check with the federal government to determine whether it is valid. That can be done by e-mail or by telephone, he said.

Barrow is backing a bill that would require employers to do so, but he doesn't expect a vote soon.

Lastly, he said, no federal benefits should go to illegal immigrants.

He dismissed a recent Krieble Foundation poll that found most Americans doubt that the border can be secured without a temporary worker program.

A general willingness to hire illegals - rather than a need for temporary immigrant labor - is driving the influx from across the border, Barrow said.

Local businessman and Barrow supporter Ed Feiler disagrees with the congressman's position, but he said so with a hint of resignation.

"When John Barrow makes up his mind on something like this," Feiler said, "he does it for reasons that are important to him. ... He's a big boy. He can decide for himself."
http://savannahnow.com:80/node/402485

Is there anyway we can compile a list of the following.

1. Upcoming Elections
2. Candidates who are STRONG against illegal immigration
3. Candidates who are weak/support illegals

I think IF we can coordinate a network of one source for this information - and each of us can support that candidate IN that area during an election, ie .. phone calls/phone banks, emails, writting letters, flyering..

we can effectively put ONLY persons in office who will do something.

Right now, we are all too disjointed 'outside' of this site.

Ideas?

Originally Posted by BrightNail

Is there anyway we can compile a list of the following.

1. Upcoming Elections
2. Candidates who are STRONG against illegal immigration
3. Candidates who are weak/support illegals

I think IF we can coordinate a network of one source for this information - and each of us can support that candidate IN that area during an election, ie .. phone calls/phone banks, emails, writting letters, flyering..

we can effectively put ONLY persons in office who will do something.

Right now, we are all too disjointed 'outside' of this site.
Ideas?

ALIPAC is always on the move. This is being worked on as you speak. Stay tuned!

Barrow has pretty good grades from Numbers and just assumed office in 2005. No doubt he wants to be reelected so he's going to represent the views of mainstream America on this issue.

Interesting!

Sure would be nice if he could influence and educate Tucson's own Congressman "Raul Grijalva!"

Remember, he chose not to go on this tour, but took his own the next day with members of "Defenders of Wildlife" and they hugged and cried over the fence and threatened to sue Chertoff over his powers.

GA Leaders to Meet About Border Security

Sunday, Nov 25, 2007 - 07:03 PM

By Alaina Anderson

In a 3 On Your Side follow-up, Congressman John Barrow will meet this week with local leaders to discuss the law enforcement implications of border security.

We told you last week about Barrow's trip to the United States border patrol areas. He led seven members of Congress on a 3-day tour of the areas in Arizona and Texas. They met with border patrol and immigration officials, examined traffic checkpoints and "point of entry sites."

Barrow hoped the tour would give congress a better understanding about illegal immigration – which is a huge concern in the nation and right here in the Coastal Empire and Lowcountry.

He plans to meet Tuesday with Savannah-Chatham Police Chief Michael Berkow, Screven County Sheriff Mike Kile and GBI Special Agent Micah Ward.

Barrow is among 100 Democrats and Republicans backing a bill that would require employers to verify their workers are in the United States legally. An ordinance similar to that goes into effect in January in Beaufort County. Its goal is to penalize businesses that hire illegal immigrants.

Under the plan, when business owners apply for a license they must sign a form saying they do not knowingly employ or plan to hire illegal immigrants. The county has the right to audit their employment verification. If the documents show the business has illegal workers, it could lose its business license.

www.wsav.com