Thread: A Reply from Commerce Sec Gutierrez

my oringinal letter is at the bottom
as well as his email address


Thank you for your email regarding immigration reform. While the Senate was unable to pass comprehensive legislation, the need for immigration reform is not going away. Our current immigration system is broken and the status quo does not provide us with a workable solution.

The Bush Administration will continue its efforts to secure our borders and enforce federal immigration law. Since 2001, the Bush Administration has more than doubled funding for border security - from $4.6 billion in 2001 to $10.4 billion in 2007. The Border Patrol has increased from approximately 9,000 agents in 2001 to more than 13,000 agents today. By the end of 2008, our border enforcement agency will have more than 18,000 agents.

A recent report by U.S. Customs and Border Protection indicates that these efforts are having a deterrent effect. According to a Customs report for the 2007 fiscal year, the number of people apprehended for illegally crossing the Southern border was down 24 percent from the same period in the previous year.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement has also replaced the old system of administrative hearings and fines with a tougher approach of criminal prosecutions and asset forfeitures. Criminal arrests in worksite enforcement actions have increased from 24 in FY 1999 to a record 716 in FY 2006, a nearly 2,900 percent increase.

At the same time, we must recognize that legal immigration is essential in order for our economy to grow. The number of people in the United States in the prime working years (ages 25-54) is expected to increase by a mere 0.3 percent per year over the next seven years, yet unemployment remains near historic lows. Immigrants are a critical part of filling the jobs that our economy is creating.

Finally, we have an estimated 12 million illegal immigrants currently residing in this country - a population the size of the state of Ohio. While the Administration continues to enforce the law, it is unrealistic to expect a population of this size to leave. In addition, it is in America's national security interest to know who these people are and where they live.

The Senate legislation laid out a tough but fair process that required illegal immigrants to come forward, pass a background check, pay a $1,000 fine, and meet English and civics requirements. This process would not have given them automatic citizenship, but it would have allowed illegal immigrants to pay restitution and get right with the law. If they failed to meet any of these terms, illegal immigrants would have been subject to deportation.

However, the Senate bill did not become law, and so we must continue to grapple with the problems created by the status quo. Given how critical immigration is to our national security and our economic prosperity, I believe that the United States will again need to confront its broken system in the near future.

Sincerely,

Carlos M. Gutierrez
Secretary of Commerce



James Weisinger <Backrubs62@yahoo.com>
05/21/2007 02:42 AM
To CGutierrez@doc.gov


to the Secretary of the Dept. of Commerce.

I watched as you and DHS Secretary stood with the
president on Thursday and again saw the video on
Friday. I am led to ask this question.

Since when does the dept. of Commerce write and make
laws that effect 300 Million American people.
What did you specifically do to help with the
immigration reform proposal announced Thursday?
What does the Dept. of Commerce have to do with
immigration?
I do not see where anything in regard to commerce
has to do with immigration, so could you explain and
help me understand just what your job title is and
what it allows you to do?

thank you
james w
American Citizen and Taxpayer
AND NOT AN ILLEGAL ALIEN

it is unrealistic to expect a population of this size to leave

Says who? You? Bush? Chertoff? Gonzales? Pro-Illegal alien support groups? Churches? The Chamber of Commerce? Business Groups? Bleeding Heat Liberals? The Open Borders lobbyists? Fact is, it certainly is realistic to DEMAND they leave. It is the law. They are ILLEGAL. All we need to do is ENFORCE our immigration laws. No jobs, no services, no sanctuary...they will leave on their own. Those that dont...DEPORT. That, in addition to secure borders = problem solved.

I wrote Chertoff QUITE A LETTER also.

it is unrealistic to expect a population of this size to leave

It is still the same distance as when they came. This time, though,

they will be healthier - thanks to free medical care paid for by American taxpayers, some who can't afford healthcare themselves.

they will be wealther - thanks to tax free wages and freebies furnished by those same Amerian taxpayers

they will be wiser - thanks to the education given some as children, and to the adult education given some - thanks to the American taxapayer.

They can go back home in style in their new SUV's, or pickups and take all the American junk they may have bought, with them.

I got the same email crap. I don't even think they check there email . the email address is for nothing- never a real responce Some not all senators set up a email auto respond with a delay – like they had to think about what they read – but the truth is (in my opinion ) is that no one read anything

Hi jamesw62
I live about 50 miles from you in Hillsboro Texas just above Waco 40 Miles
do you have any contacts for Farmers Branch City counsel? Thanks -Tex 2585

Originally Posted by Tex_2585_8538

Hi jamesw62
I live about 50 miles from you in Hillsboro Texas just above Waco 40 Miles
do you have any contacts for Farmers Branch City counsel? Thanks -Tex 2585

no. have no contacts there, however i did hear about the blue star diner where some of the local stations did live feeds from, apparently they are saying business is off 50 percent cuz the hispanic radio stations are saying boycott the place

Since when does the dept. of Commerce write and make
laws that effect 300 Million American people.

Good question!

NOW correct me if i am wrong,.
but when i see dept of commerce. im thinking those
are the peeps who are in charge of trade from country to country

Well, James, I see he answered your questions. Guitierez is just another slimy politician who wants to give our country away.