Thread: KS:Jenkins, Ryun spar over immigration

Jenkins, Ryun spar over immigration

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By JOHN MILBURN

Associated Press Writer

WAMEGO, Kan. (AP) -- Eric Helzer and other voters here want Congress to do something about illegal immigration. Former Rep. Jim Ryun and State Treasurer Lynn Jenkins are telling them they both oppose amnesty.

Immigration is an issue as Ryun and Jenkins campaign for the Republican nomination in the 2nd Congressional District. Jenkins says Ryun voted for amnesty several times when he held the seat, and Ryun accuses her of distorting his record.

Distortion or not, residents of Wamego, about 40 miles northwest of Topeka, said are ready for the federal government to act. They say they want borders protected and believe illegal immigrants are getting benefits when working-class Americans can't even get health coverage.

"I don't think it should just be handed to them," said Helzer, a cook in a restaurant just down the block from the town's main attraction, the Oz Museum.

Ryun represented the eastern Kansas district for 10 years before losing his seat in 2006 to Democrat Nancy Boyda. Voters will decide Aug. 5 whether he gets a rematch or if Jenkins will take on Boyda.

Jenkins highlighted her anti-amnesty stance in her first television ad, then attacked Ryun on the issue during their only televised debate last week. She quoted from the congressional record about four amnesty measures she said Ryun supported from 1997 through 2001.

Ryun maintains there is more to the votes than just a line in the record, telling her: "I stand by my work. "You can cherry pick if you'd like to."

Jenkins argues the government should increase funding to complete construction of a fence along the U.S.-Mexico border and give businesses the tools to accurately check the immigration status of job applicants. She said economics is driving the surge in illegal immigrants.

"They're not coming to America because we're charming," she said. "They are coming because they need those jobs."

Ryun points to a bill he co-sponsored in the House in 2005 to increase funding for the fence and the U.S. Border Patrol, without granting amnesty to the estimated 12 million illegals already in the United States. The bill was passed in 2006 but died in the Senate.

Ryun also said such bills are never an "up or down" vote and usually include other measures. But he said he never voted directly for amnesty, nor would he.

"I was recognized nationally for my work on the immigration bill that went through the House, where there was no amnesty involved in the bill," he said.

Meanwhile, voters have their own ideas.

Helzer said immigrants should be paying taxes for the services and benefits they enjoy while working in this country.

"I should just be like the rest of us who are busting our butts to make ends meet," he said. "I don't think you can go to the point of saying you don't belong here, because that's what our nation was based on."

Sue Range, who also works at the restaurant, said illegal immigrants should have to contribute to society by getting jobs and supporting themselves, or try to gain citizenship.

"If they want to be here, they should be working toward stability," Range said. "Everything is just handed to them."

But she added: "I don't think Congress will ever do anything about anything."

Others believe the government won't act quickly because immigrants represent a cheap source of labor for businesses.

"If they are coming up here to work, why not?" said construction worker Russell Torrey. "I think they should reform it and give them some form of citizenship. They are coming across anyway."

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On the Net:

Lynn Jenkins: http://www.lynnjenkins.com

Jim Ryun: http://www.jimryun.com
http://tinyurl.com/68tmre

Would someone get a grip and realize the almighty federal government is not going to do a thing about illegal immigration? There is about 100 days before the election, and whomever is the new pres. will stay quiet until sworn in. Meanwhile, W will be non-effective not only as a lame duck but a shot duck with its throat slit.