Thread: Martin Co., FL: Rep. Gayle Harrell says immigration is 'No.

Rep. Gayle Harrell says immigration is 'No. 1 issue' at Jensen Beach rally
By Jim Mayfield

Monday, June 30, 2008

Under a small Langford Park pavilion festooned with campaign posters and American flags Sunday afternoon, state Rep. Gayle Harrell outlined her platform on how to secure the United States' borders and control illegal immigration.

Harrell, District 81 Republican representative from Stuart, is running for the U.S. Congressional District 16 seat.

Speaking to about 40 audience members, Harrell said she was not opposed to immigration, but to illegal immigration.

"We are a country of immigrants," Harrell said. "My parents came from Germany, but they came the right way."

Harrell said she understands the complexity of the illegal immigration debate and wants to make it "the No. 1 issue."

"This is a battle that's been going on for a very long time. The U.S. Congress has to step up and change what we're doing," she said.

Harrell said she favors a border fence, heightened surveillance and increased use of the Coast Guard to tighten security along U.S. borders.

Harrell said funding for such a program could be found if Congress made it a priority.

Harrell also opposes amnesty for illegals, stating the policy is unfair to and punishes people who have been trying to obtain citizenship legally.

Her immigration platform calls for a guest worker program that would require a biometric ID card with a picture and thumbprint for all non-citizen workers and employer accountability for those businesses who violate the law.

Finally, she said, the "anchor baby" issue needs to be addressed, which prevents parents of babies born in this country from being deported.

Several of those in attendance spoke in support of Harrell's policies and voiced concern over the illegal immigration issue.

"My trade has literally been hijacked by the illegal alien workforce," said Jack Oliver, a former Treasure Coast dry wall contractor and member of Floridians for Immigration Enforcement. "And there seems to be a total disconnect between what (representatives') constituents want and what they think we need."

Harrell will face former Palm Beach Gardens council member Hal Valeche and Tequesta attorney Tim Rooney in the District 16 Republican congressional primary in August.

The winner of that contest will take on Democratic incumbent Rep. Tim Mahoney, a financial services executive and rancher from Palm Beach Gardens, in November's general election.


www.tcpalm.com

What a breath of fresh air this state Rep. Gayle Harrell appears to be! It's uplifting to see someone run for political office who seems to get it!

I'd like to hear the details of Ms. Harrell's guest worker program, but overall she sounds strong against amnesty -- and ABI classifies her as a true immigration reform candidate.

Well, she supports a guest worker program, supports legislation that would prevent deportation of parents of anchor babies, supports "immigration reform" which means authorizing illegal aliens to enter and remain, so she seems to be part of the Shamnesty Crowd in a bit of disguise unless I mis-read something.

Originally Posted by Judy

Well, she supports a guest worker program, supports legislation that would prevent deportation of parents of anchor babies, and seems to be part of the Shamnesty Crowd in a bit of disguise.

Does she support legislation that prevents this? From the article, it seems like she wants to address this; it doesn't sound like she necessarily supports it.

Judy read it wrong