Thread: Foley of Florida backpeddling

June 5, 2006



Dear Diana,

Thank you for contacting me with your concerns about the ever-
growing illegal immigration crisis our nation is facing. I appreciate
hearing from you

There are currently eleven to twelve million illegal aliens living in our
country with hundreds of thousands more entering every year. In order
to address this problem in a comprehensive approach, Congress must
answer at least two questions: (1) how do we close the gaps in our
borders so it doesn't seem like we have a sign on our front door saying
"come in?" and (2) what do we do with those who are already here?

1. Border Security

Since September 11th, Congress has been focused on tightening up our
nation's borders. We have successfully enacted several laws designed
to provide extra funding for Border Patrol personnel and have folded
the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) into the newly
created U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

DHS has an incredibly difficult job in securing both the U.S.-Mexico
and U.S.-Canada border because of its tremendous size. The new
technologies and enforcement techniques DHS has begun to use will
make strides in making our borders more secure. However, Congress
has begun to take steps to overhaul our nation's immigration laws and
procedures to ensure that it is almost impossible for anyone --
especially drug dealers, human traffickers and terrorists - to come into
the U.S.

2. Illegal Immigrants Currently Residing in the United States

The burden placed on our nation's infrastructure by those who come
here illegally and do not pay taxes is too great. Our hospitals, schools
and welfare offices are full of people who keep taking without having
the opportunity to give back in return. They work on our farms and in
our homes and businesses. Our policy must acknowledge that we have
jobs that need to get done and that they are filled by illegal aliens.

During the past few years I, and others in Congress, have been calling
for an overhaul of our nation's immigration laws. In December of 2005
the House passed the Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal
Immigration Control Act of 2005. This bill far from all encompassing,
however it is a good first step towards immigration reform.

I look forward to working with the House Judiciary Committee and
House leadership in forging a realistic but tough policy that takes into
account both aliens who are trying to get into the U.S. and those that
are already here.

Again, thanks for contacting me.

Sincerely,

Mark Foley
Member of Congress


This is a change from the previous form letter I recieved from him. Anyone in Florida needs to hit him hard. Seems to me he is backpeddling.

dlm1968
Amnesty by any name....thy name is Congress and the President (for the most part). Sigh.

Our policy must acknowledge that we have
jobs that need to get done and that they are filled by illegal aliens.

Write him back and ask if this "quote" means you support a guest worker program. See what kind of response you get.

Dixie

May 4, 2006




Dear Diana,

Thank you for contacting me about America's illegal immigration
problem. I appreciate hearing from you on this critical issue.

While the debate over border security and immigration reform
continues, we must keep in mind two important facts. First, our borders
are not secure; we continue to remain vulnerable to terrorist threats and
illegal aliens spilling over our borders. Second, there are currently an
estimated 11 to 14 million illegal aliens already within our borders.

As the grandson of immigrants, I know as well as anyone that our
country was founded by hardworking families who came to America
looking for a better way of life. However, my family - as well as
millions of others - came here following the laws. They came by the
boatload through Ellis Island, Galveston, or other ports of entry -
legally. They did not sneak over the border or defy immigration laws.

In this post September 11th era, we need to ensure that we are in control
of the flow of those coming into our country more than ever because
the threat is greater than ever before.

We need to have additional immigration personnel on the ground to
process the claims and make sure no one falls through the cracks while
improving our border security with more border patrols and the newest
technology. While we have been blessed that no other attacks have
occurred during the past five years, we cannot afford to let our guard
down.

Once we have addressed increased border security, there is no question
we must address what to do with the millions of illegal aliens who are
already here. The burden placed on our nation's infrastructure by those who do not pay taxes is too great. Our hospitals, schools, and welfare offices are busting with people who keep taking without having the opportunity to give back in return. Our policy must acknowledge that
our economy partly reflects the many illegal aliens who are here while
our government - the taxpayers - bears the burden.

The only immigration policy we should have is one that is good for
Americans, first and foremost. That should not include blanket amnesty
for illegal immigrants - we cannot lead the world to believe we have an
"open" sign at the border. But it should recognize the realities of who
is working now in America. Blanket amnesty would be a slap in the
face of those who have spent numerous years and countless dollars to
immigrate to American legally. The guiding principles of any plan
must respect those going through the proper legal channels.

We must stop the current "catch-and-release" policies of our federal,
state and local law enforcement and, instead, implement a "catch-and-
return" policy - returning caught aliens immediately back to their
country of origin. We also need to make sure that those already here are
not criminals or human rights violators. Criminals should not be
allowed to enjoy the benefits of the freedom our country provides.

Whatever plan Congress ends up agreeing to must be one that is
responsible, fair and workable. But in the meantime, we need to
continue increasing border and port security so we can know who and
what is coming onto our shores and into our country at all times.

Again, thank you for contacting me, and please let me know if you'd
like other information.


Sincerely,

Mark Foley
Member of Congress

This is the letter I recieved from him on May 4. This is an obvious softening in position from what I can tell.

I will continue to write him but all I will recieve back is the standard form letter.