Thread: Immigration Hawks Blast Border Wall Retreat (ALIPAC)

Border-security advocates warn iconic pledge a symbol of Trump's ability to get things done

by Brendan Kirby | Updated 25 Apr 2017 at 1:24 PM

With the White House withdrawing from a demand for funding for President Donald Trump’s border wall, some of the nation’s fiercest immigration hawks are warning the president not to back away from his most recognizable campaign promise.

Trump had requested a $1.4 billion down payment on the wall in a spending bill that must pass by the end of the week to keep the government open. But White House counselor Kellyanne Conway told Fox News on Tuesday that Trump would not demand it.

“Building that wall and having it funded remains an important priority to him,” she said. “We also know that can happen later this year and into next year.”

But Trump tweeted that the wall would be built and a White House aide later told CNN that the president expects the spending bill will have money for it.

The waffling has frustrated organizations that want tighter border enforcement.

"We don't expect there will ever be a wall," said William Gheen, founder of the Americans for Legal Immigration political action committee. "We think that he lied to all of us."

Dan Stein, president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), told LifeZette that starting the wall project has importance beyond the impact it could have on border crossings.

"Trump campaigned on a border wall as a pillar, a marquee, a cornerstone of his campaign," he said. "There damn well better be a wall … The wall is a very powerful symbol of whether Trump can get anything done in this town."

FAIR last week paid to promote a #buildthewall hashstag on Twitter. Stein, who remains supportive of the president's immigration goals, said Republicans should not fear a government shutdown if it is forced by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and other Democrats.

Donald J. Trump ✔ @realDonaldTrump
Don't let the fake media tell you that I have changed my position on the WALL. It will get built and help stop drugs, human trafficking etc.
5:36 AM - 25 Apr 2017

"Why is it every time there's a government shutdown, Republicans assume they'll take the blame?" he asked. "Chuck Schumer and the Democrats are handing Republicans an amazing political issue."

Other organizations favoring more aggressive immigration enforcement, however, did not depict the wall as a make-or-break issue.

"It's not our top priority," said Chris Chmielenski, director of content and activism at NumbersUSA. "We would like to see completion of the Secure Fence Act."

That is a reference to a 2006 law calling for a 700-mile long, double-layered fence. Although Congress passed the bill, it never provided enough money to complete the project.

Beyond that, Chmielenski said, the Trump administration's focus should be on hiring more border patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and improving technology. He said Trump also should push Congress to require employers to use the E-Verify system, which instantly checks the background of all new potential employees to verify their legal status to work.

"But anything that helps secure the border, we're obviously going to be for," he said.

Joseph Guzzardi, a spokesman for Californians for Population Stabilization, said his organization opposes a border wall because of environmental concerns. He said the administration should work to speed up a planned crackdown on so-called "sanctuary" jurisdictions and other measures that would deter illegal immigration in the first place.

"President Trump understands he doesn't want the bad vibe of a government shutdown for which Republicans would get blamed," he said. "I would urge him to get busy on E-Verify."

http://www.lifezette.com/polizette/i...-wall-retreat/

“Building that wall and having it funded remains an important priority to him,” she said. “We also know that can happen later this year and into next year.”

Yep, and when September rolls around there will be more excuses and reasons why they'll have to wait another year, two years, etc. I'm convinced congress is not going to pay for the wall. Heck, in 2006 many congresspersons, including Democrats, were falling all over themselves to approve the Secure Fence Act of 2006, but the funding for the fence was never provided. The Trump administration needs to work on figuring out how to get Mexico to pay for the fence quickly and let's get this "wall" deal rolling!

The 2018 election cycle will be upon us soon and the next presidential elections (2020) will be here before you know it. It is my sense that the Republicans need this "wall" promise to be kept, but they are just too stupid to realize it. You combine Trump's failure to keep his promise on DACA with a fail on the border fence and Trump's chances for reelection decline significantly (IMO). Those are two big ticket promises that convinced many folks to join his so-called "Trump Train" during the primary.

Failure to keep those promises will have consequences. Trump needs to quit accepting DACA applications, end the program, and get that wall started.

Just came across from Fox News based on 40 minute interview with legislative affairs person in the White House, the Continuing Resolution bill does have money for more border security including more personnel, some equipment, and extending and repairing "fence" along the border, but, nothing for a concrete wall. McConnell was fighting for the concrete wall funding but Schumer said no concrete wall and is already taking credit for being the one who stopped funding for the concrete wall in the CR bill.

Originally Posted by MW

Yep, and when September rolls around there will be more excuses and reasons why they'll have to wait another year, two years, etc.
...
Failure to keep those promises will have consequences. Trump needs to quite accepting DACA applications, end the program, and get that wall started.

Agreed. What's a measly billion dollars in such a massive budget. The time to fight is now as Schumer and friends will not change their tune in September. This looks like another Trump broken promise.

Republicans need to pass the legislation that taxes non-business remittances to Mexico, tariffs on Mexican imports, or a combination of both, preferably both. Then use some of those monies to pay for the wall and other border security needed to stop illegal immigration and illegal trafficking across our southern border.

Originally Posted by Judy

Republicans need to pass the legislation that taxes non-business remittances to Mexico, tariffs on Mexican imports, or a combination of both, preferably both. Then use some of those monies to pay for the wall and other border security needed to stop illegal immigration and illegal trafficking across our southern border.

I'll buy that, but what in the heck are they waiting on?

There also should be a tax on money orders and money send to foreign countries this is free and clear money leaving our country. The money orders, money grams sent could automatically add a fee for taxes onto charge for any of these going to foreign countries.

Originally Posted by posylady

There also should be a tax on money orders and money send to foreign countries this is free and clear money leaving our country. The money orders, money grams sent could automatically add a fee for taxes onto charge for any of these going to foreign countries.

The money grams are a remittance. Money orders, I don't know how they work. But if the person selling the money orders knows it's going to someone in Mexico, then YES, tax them, too.

Originally Posted by MW

I'll buy that, but what in the heck are they waiting on?

These are questions that need to be directed to Republicans in Congress. They are in the legislative branch and they control the laws until a court stops them.

Our movement needs to face the reality that all the President can do by himself is enforce and deport.

No end to DACA in sight. Now news that border wall funding may not be provided. Pushed off to the fall if at all.

Broken promises. Maybe there will be another avenue for funding.