Thread: Nussle Touts Tough Immigration Package - Iowa

http://www.crgazette.com/2006/09/19/Home/nussle.htm

Nussle touts tough immigration package
Published: 09/19/2006 2:44 PM
Mike Glover - Special to The Gazette
DES MOINES, IA - Republican gubernatorial candidate Jim Nussle on Tuesday announced a hard-line immigration package featuring a "seize and deport'' plan calling for ousting illegal immigrants as soon as they are arrested.

"Iowa should punish these lawbreakers to send a clear and convincing message that people engaging in illegal activity are not welcome in Iowa,'' Nussle said. "As governor, I will have zero tolerance for illegal immigration.''

Nussle also said he would ensure that a 4-year-old law that made English the state's official language would remain on the books. And Nussle said he would toughen ballot security measures, requiring identification and proof of citizenship before residents could cast a ballot.

"We want to encourage legal citizens to participate in the democratic process and exercise their right to vote,'' said Nussle. "We must strengthen measures to prevent illegal immigrants from engaging in voter fraud and abusing the system.''

Nussle argued that his views on illegal immigration mark a sharp contrast with Democratic rival Chet Culver. In the past, Culver has said he would push for repeal of Iowa's English language law, and as secretary of state he has opposed requirements to show a photo ID before casting a ballot.

"It's important to learn our language because it is the foundation of success and it empowers individuals to pursue limitless opportunities,'' said Nussle. "As someone who grew up learning another language in the home, I believe we should all strive to be multilingual and retain our heritage.''

Nussle said he learned to speak Danish growing up.

Culver spokeswoman Taylor West rejected Nussle's arguments.

"Illegal immigration has become such a problem because Congressman Nussle and the Republican leadership in Washington have refused to enforce our current immigration laws and shortchanged our border security,'' West said.

West said Culver favored addressing "the real issues of border security,'' such as cracking down on companies that hire illegal immigrants.

"In fact, Congressman Nussle has voted numerous times against cracking down on employers who hire illegal immigrants,'' said West.

Nussle said voters are demanding change.

"I believe Iowa is a pretty welcoming state, but we want to welcome people who come here legally,'' Nussle said in an interview.

He said making English the official language doesn't interfere with cultural identity.

Nussle said his tough stance on deporting illegal immigrants as soon as they are arrested is in line with voters. He made the announcement during a campaign stop in Sioux City, where illegal immigrants drawn to work at local meatpacking plants are a big issue.

He also called for a measure to block illegal immigrants from getting in-state college tuition rates, welfare assistance and health benefits under the Medicaid program. Aides said his stance is sharply at odds with Culver.

"While Jim Nussle has a plan to stop illegal immigrants entering at the border and hold them accountable once they're here, Chet Culver is happy to sit by and let illegal immigrants continue to enter our state without fear of punishment,'' said Nussle campaign manager Nick Ryan

http://www.radioiowa.com/gestalt/go.cfm ... =local.cfm

Nussle would use state dollars to start deporting illegal immigrants

by O. Kay Henderson

Republican candidate Jim Nussle says if he's elected governor, he'll use state taxdollars to start deportation proceedings against illegal immigrants caught in Iowa.

"The concern I think we should all have in Iowa is that we want to be a welcoming state, one that is inviting new people to come here legally but I believe most Iowans believe that we should not be encouraging illegal aliens to come here," Nussle says. "They should not be coming here for work or illegal activity and if they do come here, we need to send them back."

Some Iowa county sheriffs have had to release illegals immigrants caught in Iowa because federal immigration officials have said they don't have the resources to pick them up. Nussle, an eastern Iowa congressman who's chairman of the House Budget Committee, says he wants to give local law enforcement the authority to take illegal immigrants caught in Iowa to deportation centers in either Omaha, Chicago or Kansas City. "In addition to that, we are going to ask Washington for the authority to treat local law enforcement...to act as feds in this situation and be able to use that authority to get them to that deportation center," Nussle says. "That vote (in congress) may come up as early as the end of this week."

Nussle also says he'd take steps, as govenror, to prevent illegal immigrants from receiving welfare assistance or paying cheaper "in-state" college tuition. Nussle says his immigration reform plan also includes measures that would combat fraud and abuse" in Iowa elections. For example, Nussle would have all ballots printed in English and forbid foreign-language ballots in Iowa. "One of the qualifications of citizenship is understanding English," Nussle says. "We really believe that it's important for us to respect that at the ballot box, especially." Officials say there are no foreign-language ballots being printed in Iowa for this fall's election.

Nussle says it's time to require proof of citizenship to register to vote and require voters to show a photo I-D to ensure illegal immigrants are not voting. "Poll workers are not authorized to ask (for) any of that information," Nussle says. "Certainly, we have anectdotal information that this kind of voter fraud is occuring across the country and in Iowa." Nussle says his Democratic opponent, Chet Culver -- who is currently Iowa's Secretary of State, is "standing in the way" of clean elections by opposing the photo ID requirement.

Culver's campaign issued a statement, saying Nussle was "hustling" Iowans by promising a crack-down on illegal immigrants in Iowa but voting against proposals in congress that would penalize businesses which hire illegals. Culver's statement said Nussle had "turned a blind eye to big businesses hiring illegal immigrants for cheap...labor." Culver says if he's elected governor, he'll deny state tax breaks and state economic development grants to businesses caught hiring illegal immigrants. Culver's campaign did not respond to the voting-related issues brought up by Nussle.