Open-borders zealots slam latest House plan
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Immigration: D.C. Advocates Slam Latest House Plan
immigrants rally
Pro-immigration activists rally on.
Hardbeatnews, Washington, D.C., Fri. Sept. 15, 2006: “Seven hundred miles of fencing…will not erase the reality that an estimated 11-12 million undocumented immigrants already live, work, and raise families here.”
That’s the word from Angela Kelley, deputy director of the National Immigration Forum, a D.C.-based non-profit, non-partisan pro-immigration advocacy group, as Republican lawmakers moved ahead with their plan to close the borders.
The House is expected to debate and pass a bill to construct 700 miles of border fence. The bill was technically introduced yesterday, but it is a bill that has already passed Congress as part of the controversial House immigration bill (H.R. 4437), which also would make felons out of all undocumented immigrants and anyone who assists them.
Similar measures to the House bill, including fencing, are contained in the immigration and border security bill passed by the Senate (S.2611). So, Kelley claims if the House Republican Leaders want to actually build border fencing, they would be negotiating with the Senate and sending a bill to the President.
“But this is not about fences, border security, or immigration reform,” she added. “It is about job security for vulnerable Republicans. They would rather appear to do something about immigration reform and border security than actually do something about border security and immigration reform. It is a shame when elected leaders have so little respect for the electorate.”
She added that fencing, in and of itself, will not do much to improve border security or deter illegal entry. “Only a comprehensive approach that addresses all of the complex aspects of border security and immigration reform will actually achieve the goal of a secure border and an immigration system based on the rule of law,” said Kelley. “The stalling and inaction of House Republicans may end up being quite costly to them and to our nation.”
Her comments come as Democratic National Committee spokesman Luis Miranda slammed House Republicans for their sham hearings saying the Senate bill for comprehensive immigration reform, which already has critical border security measures, is being held up by House Republicans “… who would rather scapegoat immigrants as a political strategy to help them win elections in November than address the nation's real problems and priorities.”
“Once again, in a desperate attempt to retain power in Washington, Republicans are putting their party's political interests above the interests of the country,” said Miranda. “Democrats will not scapegoat any group of people for political gain and will continue to fight for comprehensive immigration reform that's tough and smart.”
The lobbying effort to legalize millions of undocumented immigrants continues even as Republicans slam the plan as amnesty that will reward lawbreakers with “citizenship.” And as President Bush backed by many Senate members and immigration advocates stress it is the only decent solution to the current crisis. – Hardbeatnews.com
