Thread: Response from Norm Dicks (Wa State Congressman)

Hello All,
I am totally thrilled to have written,called, and blogged about the illegal marches in Wa State. Thanks for giving me the info to back up what I say. I am just entering the foray into illegal immigration, and it feels really good to know that there are others who feel the same way I have for many years. Here is a response from Norm Dicks (Wa State Rep)
"GOD BLESS YOU! GOD BLESS AMERICA!"


Thank you for contacting me to comment about current legislation to reform immigration law in the United States . I appreciate your interest in this important national issue.

Estimates show that about 12 million illegal immigrants currently reside in the United States . Although they vary widely on the number of illegal immigrants that enter the U.S. each year, the number is certainly at least several hundred thousand and could be more than a million. Whatever the exact numbers may be, there is clearly a problem that requires Congress's immediate attention.

I agree with most Americans - that immigration reform must begin with tightening our borders. In the last Congress, I supported legislation to implement the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission, which included several new provisions designed to address illegal immigration. The measure authorized the addition of 10,000 new federal agents on our border - including a minimum of 2,000 on the northern border - and at least 4,000 new law enforcement officers assigned to enforce immigration laws within the United States . The bill also directed an increase of 40,000 detention beds for captured illegal aliens.

Although this bill passed Congress overwhelmingly and was eagerly signed by the President, both have failed in subsequent years to meet the commitment, providing funding for only a fraction of the promised agents and detention space. And, rather than add personnel to the Northern border, President Bush actually diverted Northern border staff to other areas. Several times have I voted for amendments that would have fully funded these critical needs, but all attempts have been defeated by the House Republicans. In my judgment, the first step toward immigration reform must be providing the requisite funding for essential personnel, technology and facilities to control our borders.

Second, I believe that the Bush Administration must aggressively enforce existing laws against businesses that knowingly employ illegal aliens. I am deeply disappointed that the number of businesses charged by federal immigration enforcement officials with hiring illegal immigrants has fallen from well more than a hundred in 2000 to only 3 last year.

I believe that a strong majority of both parties in Congress and the country support these two basic pillars of immigration reform. Where people differ mainly is in how to treat the 12 million illegal aliens already residing in the US . Millions of them work, pay taxes, and have families with spouses and children that are American citizens.

If the nation truly commits to guarding the border to substantially reduce the inflow of illegal aliens and properly enforces the law on businesses that hire them, I believe the interests of the country are best served by developing criteria that allow immigrants that have not violated any criminal laws to gradually gain legal status and, eventually, citizenship. I do not believe it is a perfect solution, but I believe it is better and more feasible than trying to identify, capture, and deport 12 million people, splitting up the families of hundreds of thousands of American citizens in the process.

Prior to adjourning for the election, Congress did approve H.R. 6061, a bill to authorize the construction of border fencing and vehicle barriers on a small portion the southern border. H.R. 6061 was written entirely by the House Republican leadership, not made available to review by Democrats prior to floor consideration, and completely bypassed all committees with jurisdiction over the bill, including the House Homeland Security Committee, upon which I sit. Further, debate on the bill was severely limited and Republicans blocked consideration of any amendments. I support the use of fencing and vehicle barriers where appropriate on the southern border; however, I can not support a bill that is brought to the House floor under such circumstances.

Fortunately, the FY 2007 Homeland Security Appropriations bill contained legislative language and actual funding - $1.3 billion - to construct barriers and fencing that will functionally override H.R. 6061. This legislation followed the normal legislative process and was achieved through bipartisan deliberations between the House and Senate. I supported this bill, which was approved by Congress and subsequently signed by the President on October 4.

Many members of the other party are pretending that the addition of fencing and barriers along the southern border will solve the problem, and I am deeply concerned that the momentum for comprehensive immigration reform has been restrained by the passage of H.R. 6061. Please be assured that I will continue to work with my colleagues in the House during the 110th Congress for a more lasting legislative solution to this problem. In this regard, I will keep your comments in mind.

If the nation truly commits to guarding the border to substantially reduce the inflow of illegal aliens and properly enforces the law on businesses that hire them, I believe the interests of the country are best served by developing criteria that allow immigrants that have not violated any criminal laws to gradually gain legal status and, eventually, citizenship.

Another amnesty supporter.

Originally Posted by MW

If the nation truly commits to guarding the border to substantially reduce the inflow of illegal aliens and properly enforces the law on businesses that hire them, I believe the interests of the country are best served by developing criteria that allow immigrants that have not violated any criminal laws to gradually gain legal status and, eventually, citizenship.

Another amnesty supporter.

You beat me to it, MW.

YUP.......another bunch of BS from an EMPTY SUIT with a probable huge portfolio.

Originally Posted by MW

If the nation truly commits to guarding the border to substantially reduce the inflow of illegal aliens and properly enforces the law on businesses that hire them, I believe the interests of the country are best served by developing criteria that allow immigrants that have not violated any criminal laws to gradually gain legal status and, eventually, citizenship.

Another amnesty supporter.

True. But Mr. Dicks has come a long way in the past couple of years on this issue. I've been constantly pounding out letters, faxes and eMails to him as I am a resident of his District for about that long and his position (or posturing) has evolved from what I would call a "blanket amnesty" advocate to where we now see him putting some qualifications on legalization. Dicks is a dyed in the wool liberal, and I find it hard to trust him, but I think he is at least listening now.

Originally Posted by legal4mykidsfuture

Originally Posted by MW

If the nation truly commits to guarding the border to substantially reduce the inflow of illegal aliens and properly enforces the law on businesses that hire them, I believe the interests of the country are best served by developing criteria that allow immigrants that have not violated any criminal laws to gradually gain legal status and, eventually, citizenship.

Another amnesty supporter.

True. But Mr. Dicks has come a long way in the past couple of years on this issue. I've been constantly pounding out letters, faxes and eMails to him as I am a resident of his District for about that long and his position (or posturing) has evolved from what I would call a "blanket amnesty" advocate to where we now see him putting some qualifications on legalization. Dicks is a dyed in the wool liberal, and I find it hard to trust him, but I think he is at least listening now.

You could be right, LEGALFOR
but, imho, he's simply learned to double speak in a more proficient manner. It might just be working

Watch the hand that you canNOT see and read between the lines.
No matter, the above statement is AMNESTY by any name.

Sis,

Yea, I know. I only give him credit for listening, not for his position - Or what I would more correctly call POSTURING. He's not someone I trust on this issue, but gosh, here in the Socialist State of Washington it is quite a special occassion when we can actually see the slightest movement on issues like this.

Originally Posted by legal4mykidsfuture

Sis,

Yea, I know. I only give him credit for listening, not for his position - Or what I would more correctly call POSTURING. He's not someone I trust on this issue, but gosh, here in the Socialist State of Washington it is quite a special occassion when we can actually see the slightest movement on issues like this.

Gosh, here in NJ/NY we're in the same boat only I have MENENDEZ!
CORZINE & LAUTENBERG {the comatose guy}

They march with the ILLEGALS.

Anyhooo, my sympathies - I share your pain

He's not someone I trust on this issue, but here in the Socialist State of Washington it is quite a special occassion when we can actually see the slightest movement on issues like this.



IS there anybody here we can trust on this issue?? I'm very new in the online discussion of this whole mess & I'm in the city of "New L.A." aka seattle and feel like I'm in the freakin twilight zone.
I wrote "Cant-well-do-anything" and murray on this matter last year and got a form letter back from maria and it took patty about 4 months to reply with her form letter. I wrote to patty that she traded in her sneakers for Prada's and has no intention on giving them up, nice of her to be so "in touch" with reality & she should use "Prada's for Patty'08!!" as her next campaign slogan! LOL
The only guy I saw on the last ballot who was on our side wasn't in my district, so I couldn't vote for him & I think he was the only one who came right out and called things for what they were, not sure if he won or not, I think he was of filipino background, forgot his name.

Hey StuckNSea wrote:

"Prada's for Patty'08!!"


IS there anybody here we can trust on this issue?? I'm very new in the online discussion of this whole mess & I'm in the city of "New L.A." aka seattle and feel like I'm in the freakin twilight zone.

Lived in Spokane for 20 years and just moved to CDA. Welcome!

I'll try to get "Prada's for Patty '08" started in Spokane. Wish we had some bumper stickers. She is beyond ridiculous and down right stupid.

Cathy McMorris has to date been tough on amnesty, but we can't trust anyone now. They want the cover of Bush's bill with tough border security and enforcement (both of which will never happen) so they can ramrod amnesty down our throats. But with all of us fighting like crazy, we will stop it. We have to label his bill amnesty constantly. I keep hearing this and that Senator does not support amnesty, but when you get right down to it, all of the bills are.

If you want to get your feet wet or add it to your blog, this is our latest campaign:

http://www.alipac.us/modules.php?name=F ... &start=150

Welcome to you and arrow782001!!!!! The Northwest needs more representation!!!

If the nation truly commits to guarding the border to substantially reduce the inflow of illegal aliens and properly enforces the law on businesses that hire them, I believe the interests of the country are best served by developing criteria that allow immigrants that have not violated any criminal laws to gradually gain legal status and, eventually, citizenship.

NO!!!!!!!! NO Amnesty!! NO Guestworker!! Enforce our existing immigration laws, they are NOT BROKEN, they are NOT ENFORCED!!!!
ATTRITION THROUGH ENFORCEMENT!!!!

They are ILLEGAL!!!!! If you allow these criminals to stay then you might as well let all the prisoners OUT of prison...or some could call it DISCRIMINATION!!!!