Illegal immigration timebomb
posted at 11:24 am on May 16, 2007 by Bryan
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Earlier this week, Farmers Branch, TX overwhelmingly approved an ordinance aimed at keeping illegal aliens out of the city:
Voters in Farmer’s Branch became the first in the nation today to prohibit landlords from renting to most illegal immigrants.
In final but unofficial reports, the ban was approved by a vote of 68 percent to 32 percent.
Predictably, groups like the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund have joined up with the ACLU and a whole cadre of others to sue Farmers Branch into oblivion. Absurdly, a group calling itself “Let the Voters Decide” attempted to prevent that very thing from happening:
Days before the vote, Let the Voters Decide issued an absurd news release in which it managed to scare up a couple of University of North Texas professors to issue a “study” – little more than a clumsy polemic – arguing not only that illegal immigration is not a societal drain, but that it is a net benefit to a community.
Farmers Branch is not alone. Around the country, 100 municipalities have taken up the federal job of enforcing immigration law in one way or another.
In Pennsylvania, 32 municipalities have considered or enacted resolutions – such as making English the official language, cracking down on employers who hire illegal immigrants and punishing landlords who rent to them. In California, 13 cities have passed or considered local laws to crack down on illegal immigrants and push for comprehensive immigration legislation. The list goes on.
And state legislatures in all 50 states, dissatisfied with congressional inaction, are considering more than twice the number of immigration-related laws as in previous years – with most imposing tougher restrictions on illegal immigrants.
The message to Congress, some say: If you can’t do it, we will.
And in Hazleton, PA, the incumbent Republican mayor has won both the GOP and Democrat primaries to keep his job. Why?
Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta, who gained national prominence by targeting illegal immigrants living in his small northeastern Pennsylvania city, cruised to the Republican nomination for a third term on Tuesday – and unexpectedly won the Democratic nomination, too.
Barletta trounced GOP challenger Dee Deakos with nearly 94 percent of the vote. And he beat former Mayor Michael Marsicano for the Democratic nomination by staging a last-minute write-in campaign, all but guaranteeing himself another term, unofficial returns showed…
Barletta, a businessman who took office in 2000, proposed the Illegal Immigration Relief Act last year after four illegal immigrants were charged with shooting and killing a man.
The measure, on hold due to a legal challenge by Hispanic groups and individuals, was approved last summer and emulated by towns and cities around the nation. It would penalize landlords who rent to illegal immigrants and businesses that hire them.
It’s against this backdrop of grassroots moves against illegal immigration that the Bush administration and the Dem-controlled House and Senate move to pass “comprehensive” immigration reform, which amounts to an amnesty for the millions of illegals already here.
Never mind the continuing effects of unfettered illegal immigration on national security: The day labor center that facilitated 9-11 is still there. For a war president, President Bush is awfully slow to secure the country’s first line of defense, its borders.
Bush apologists see “comprehensive immigration reform” as one of the last remaining shreds of his legacy that remain viable. At Ft. Dix we very nearly suffered a terror attack on US soil facilitated by the porous border. What would that have done to the president’s legacy?
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Nice, Bryan.
Jaibones on May 16, 2007 at 11:33 AM
MAFAO.
Well, if Bush and the Democrats are going to attempt to give amnesty, we’re just going to have to control it ourselves, on the local and state level. Now we know why state control is a Republican ideal.
amerpundit on May 16, 2007 at 11:37 AM
MAFAO = LMFAO
amerpundit on May 16, 2007 at 11:37 AM
I find it strange that a court case can gain traction when the people being represented by the suit are breaking federal law just by being here.
What the hell are our politicians pandering for anyway? Votes from people who are not legally allowed the vote? Can anyone kindly explain why my country is being turned into
looney landtierra loco?JunkCoast on May 16, 2007 at 11:42 AM
How many of the Fort Dix terrorists came through the Mexican border? How damaged is Reagan’s legacy due to his amnesty for illegals? We need the immigrants and I’m all for building a fence and adding the foreign service workers necessary to approve the applications of 1 million or more immigrants per year, but packing them up and shipping them off won’t work.
Hispanics are naturally socially conservative Catholics, but we risk driving them into the arms of the dems. Unfortunately, you can’t argue with demographics and if Hispanics become another group of “victims” wholly owned by the Dems, conservatives are doomed in national and many statewide elections.
Patrick H on May 16, 2007 at 11:49 AM
But they do vote, JunkCoast.
Granting illegal aliens drivers licenses along with Motor-Voter laws = illegal aliens on the voter registration rolls.
Idiotic voter ID laws restricting or outright prohibiting polls checking valid identification = ineligible voters casting votes.
BacaDog on May 16, 2007 at 11:54 AM
You don’t control your borders, you don’t have a country.
You have a Big Halfway House.
Halfway to destruction.
profitsbeard on May 16, 2007 at 11:55 AM
So we give up and let them all become citizens? No. We take away what makes it so appealing for them to come here. Make it next-to-impossible for them to find a place to live or work unless they come here legally. Punish the citizens who are making it easy for them to be here, because those citizens are risking our national security for their own profit. That makes them traitors.
In other words, how about we punish the wrongdoers for a change.
Privatestock on May 16, 2007 at 12:01 PM
Being from Dallas, I can say the personal attacks leveled at the city councilman Tim O’Hare have been blistering over the last few months. He has remained steadfast.
Now, one of our local race-baiters, Domingo Garcia, has come forward demanding re-districting of the city to ensure that it is more ethnically diverse. The city has 30,000 residents (which is tiny by Dallas-Fort Worth standards). It’s gonna get even uglier, especially with both sides ready to ride this all the way to the Supremes.
Matticus Finch on May 16, 2007 at 12:02 PM
Some sort of legislation to keep migrants here and invite many more has been the goal all along.
It’s really just the publics’ vehement demand for enforcement of our current laws and a bitter disdain for anything that could be construed as amnesty that has kept Congress from passing amnesty before now.
A near uprising is probably the only thing that will stop it now, only that the same thing will be attempted over and over until either new members of government are elected or there is legislation passed that leaves America only as an idea moulting away on a shelf somewhere.
The enemy is us and we’re succeeding.
Tar and feathers is looking better and better.
“I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.” Barry Goldwater
Speakup on May 16, 2007 at 12:03 PM
The term ‘citizen’ has lost all useful meaning.
PRCalDude on May 16, 2007 at 12:04 PM
Bacadog,
I know they do. Atrocious but true. Another example of illegal=ok.
My point is that by pandering to this mass, our politicians are legitmizing all types of illegal activity, voter fraud being just a tiny piece of the larger problem.
The mind boggles.
What laws can I, as a citizen, break without fear of penalty?
Not as many as these “guests” of ours can. That much is obvious.
JunkCoast on May 16, 2007 at 12:06 PM
Well put, and a great description of the problem.
Privatestock on May 16, 2007 at 12:07 PM
Sorry, I must have missing something. Were the morons with the Ft. Dix DVDs illegala aliens (no), or was it that the authorities who should have been looking for terrorist activity instead were chasing after WalMart employees on the chance that they committed the serious crime of being born in the wrong place?
pedestrian on May 16, 2007 at 12:07 PM
Follow the links, pedestrian. Three of the Ft Dix six were illegal aliens who came across the border near Brownsville, TX when they were kids.
Bryan on May 16, 2007 at 12:19 PM
Your remarks are just that–pedestrian. If you don’t know what you are talking about then STHU.
IrishEi on May 16, 2007 at 12:23 PM
I’ve been hammering away on the previous immigration thread, so I’ll keep this brief. I argued that multi-culturalism is the root cause of why the current illegal immigration problem is a crisis (as opposed to the result of the Ellis Island immigration wave, which was equally controversial in its time).
Bryan, you make a very good point about the courts. We need judicial reform as much as we need border enforcement and resistance to the multi-cultural agenda. The idea that lawsuits can be brought to court by advocates for non-citizan law-breakers is insane.
Oh:
The ones who are here illegally have out-of-wedlock birth rates equal to our worst native-born basket-cases. Recent statistics have debunked the “fledgling social-con Republican Mex-Americans” meme. The only difference is the Hispanic poor work off-the-books while they collect welfare. These guys are all going to vote for the party that panders most effectively to racial and class grievances.
Anton on May 16, 2007 at 12:24 PM
Not quite… citizen = tax burden, and not much else these days…
NTWR on May 16, 2007 at 12:32 PM
Exactly. And when these out-of-wedlock kids grow up, guess what’s going to happen to the crime rate?
PRCalDude on May 16, 2007 at 12:36 PM
They are illegal immigrants.
And I would challenege you to provide us with some concrete facts (not the open borders talking points baloney) showing that our society needs illegal immigrants.
infidel4life on May 16, 2007 at 12:39 PM
All of those Democrats crossing over to vote for the Republican who dares to fight the criminal invaders–Maybe Tancredo or Hunter should be running as a Democrat.
Perchant on May 16, 2007 at 12:40 PM
Anton nailed it. President Bush will hand the libs a mojority for the next 40 years.
His legacy will be “number one enabler of law-breaking”.
This from a legal immigrant, who firmly believes in doing the right things, hard work, sacrifice, betterment, humane treatment for all, and capitalism.
Entelechy on May 16, 2007 at 12:42 PM
Great summary, Bryan.
The Bush legacy is already trash for doing less than nothing on the border problem. Every citizen’s life is already adversely affected by his failure to enforce immigration law. Once he signs the amnesty bill, there will be nowhere to shift the blame when the inevitable happens via third world Mexico.
Valiant on May 16, 2007 at 12:46 PM
Your perception of how severe the problem is depends on where you live. this map shows the percentage above 65 years old. Go there and click on a state to see the population bulge that will be hitting retirement in the next few years. We need people of working age to pay the taxes, or our future problems will make illegal aliens look like nothing.
pedestrian on May 16, 2007 at 1:02 PM
And importing millions of illegals who work off the books and don’t pay taxes will help this problem in what way again?
thirteen28 on May 16, 2007 at 1:04 PM
I find that part encouraging. Instead of waiting around for the feds to to the job the American government won’t do, the people and the municipalities are taking matters into their own hands.
thirteen28 on May 16, 2007 at 1:06 PM
I asked for concrete facts. You’re just regurgitating an open borders talking point based on conjecture.
infidel4life on May 16, 2007 at 1:13 PM
There is nothing that perplexes me more then the stances Republicans have taken regarding illegal immigration. I would like to pick one, McCain for example, and waterboard him until they tell me what is behind their fascistic strive for amnesty. It can’t be the fear of being called racist because the vast majority of American voters understand that the difference between legal and illegal has nothing to do with race. It can’t be economic because the leetch-like drag far outweighs the few and minute economic boosts that results from $.30 off the price of lettus. It can’t be votes because illegal immigrants will not be voting Republican no matter what once they are made citizens. But whatever the reason is, it must be more important then national security because the risk that illegal immigration during an age of terrorism poses to our safety is obvious and will without question facilitate the efforts of the terrorists. Most of us have read the stories about the growth of Hezbollah to our south. If that isn’t reason to put armed soldiers on our border and provide them with the instructions to shoot anything that crosses I don’t know what is. But is anything more important then national security? I can’t think of anything that is. I’m stumped. Are there any possible reasons our Republican elected officials are acting like such fascists by CHOOSING to IGNORE the laws that are there because the American voters want them to be there? What is so important as to make our elected Republicans ignore laws that have obvious and vital purposes? What is so damn important???
Zetterson on May 16, 2007 at 1:19 PM
So, our great democracy is nothing more than a ponzi scheme?
BacaDog on May 16, 2007 at 1:34 PM
OK, so now we all better learn how to type ¡Fred! and ¿Fred?
Why haven’t the Dems proposed a special tax on the illegals? Let’s call it an “Opportunity Tax”. You don’t live here, yet you want to work here? OK, this it what it’ll cost ya …
-Fat Old Guy
Fogpig on May 16, 2007 at 1:43 PM
Money.
For some it trumps national interests. The big business/big money corporate wing of the GOP sees dollar signs in all the cheap labor available from south of the border.
There was a recent TV commercial (Morgan Stanley, IIRC) that was pushing investments and dropping all kinds of investment buzzwords/phrases, one of which really struck me: “Borderless Economy” The push towards economic globalization is rendering national borders as secondary to profits to these international big money interests. There is big money behind this agenda.
At least this is my pet theory.
infidel4life on May 16, 2007 at 1:58 PM
Yes, nothing will work better for the retiring boomers than adding a bunch of illegals the will sap the SS fund even more. Good Thinking.
I can see the welfare office from my window at work. So I have the privalege of glancing up and seeing who goes in and out. Now, I am in New Hampshire and believe me when I say the vast majority are latino. I can’t even begin to imagine what it looks like in the southwest when it looks this bad in the northeast.
mojowire on May 16, 2007 at 1:58 PM
Patrick H. Hispanics ARE NOT naturally social conservatives, exactly the opposite. Look at any country in central or south america and tell me of 1 country besides Colombia or Peru that has a conservative government!! I have spent a lot of time in Colombia, my wife is currently there waiting for her visa… Colombia and Peru are the exceptions. I know many Colombians who are anything but conservatives, they only vote for the conservative Uribe because he is tough on FARC and the cartels, not because they themselves are conservatives. Yes hispanics are overwelmingly catholic, but they are very liberal catholics. Your statement doesn’t hold a drop of water, you probably shouldn’t comment on something you have absolutely no idea about!
NeverSubmit on May 16, 2007 at 2:00 PM
Unfortunately its a plausible pet theory. My question would be, though, how short sighted can they be? It won’t be a very profitable enterprise once Hezbollah starts pouring into Dallas.
Zetterson on May 16, 2007 at 2:04 PM
Not to mention the fact that their big business budies are not going to be too interested in them once it becomes clear that the Republicans will be in the minority for the next 50 years. Assuming the country lasts that long.
Zetterson on May 16, 2007 at 2:08 PM
There, I fixed it for you.
pedestrian on May 16, 2007 at 1:02 PM
4shoes on May 16, 2007 at 2:10 PM
Again just my opinion, but I think there is an overall attitude and expectation that they will be be able to remain “above the fray” of the minor skirmishes of terrorism and political unrest. If you have enough money and power you can pretty much insulate yourself from everything.
infidel4life on May 16, 2007 at 2:13 PM
Yes, we need young people. The solution there is to ban abortion. Why we have abortion and claim to need illegals is beyond me, especially considering our demographic crisis vis-a-vis the Islamic world. That said, these people use about 3-4 times the taxes they pay. They don’t pay for any of the babies they have. They just wait until they’re in labor, then they go to the ER. $50,000, right there. They also lie about the number of dependents they have and commit a disproportionate number of crimes.
PRCalDude on May 16, 2007 at 2:25 PM
Not in this day of WMD, my friend. How does congress insulate itself from a dirty nuke going off in D.C.? They’ve got the illusion of security, nothing more. The barbarians are in the gates, they just haven’t made it to the palace yet. Yet.
PRCalDude on May 16, 2007 at 2:27 PM
I am so depressed. Our country is a sham.
Why don’t we just put up a big sign saying “Welcome to the United States of America. Come right on in. You can
ignoretrample on our laws, spit on us, burn our flag and fly your own with impunity, collect welfare and food stamps, get a free education and free healthcare at the expense of the taxpayers, drive drunk, drive without a license, undercut the salaries our working class, squeeze our citizens out of state universities and enroll at a reduced rate, demand that everything published by our government be in your native language, vote in national and local elections.Maybe we should turn the Statue of Liberty around to face us: the tired, poor, huddled masses yearning to be free again.
IrishEi on May 16, 2007 at 2:33 PM
I’m not referring to the politicians in D.C. I’m referring to the major players of the international big money interests, who have the politicos in their pockets.
infidel4life on May 16, 2007 at 3:09 PM
You’re so dead on it’s frightening. I think we’re dealing with the sort of people who think they can buy their way out of disaster. And why not think this way? Their money has taken care of everything else. Boy, are they in for a big surprise. The Islamofascists aren’t interested in their money. They want their heads on a stick.
jaleach on May 16, 2007 at 3:17 PM
Future historians are going to have a field day with us. Trying to reconcile our deep contradictions ought to win a few scholars a prize or two.
jaleach on May 16, 2007 at 3:20 PM
But wasn’t the origin question I posed, why are the elected Republicans in favor of amnesty? I understand your point about the international big money interests and I accept it. But what I don’t understand is the leverage that they have over the republican politicians who are obviously approaching a political dead end if they support this. Its like knowing you are going to die in 5 minutes and decide to use your remaining minutes standing in line to buy a lottery ticket.
Zetterson on May 16, 2007 at 3:33 PM
I don’t know if I can adequately answer that question, except to suggest that money is a powerful motivator.
infidel4life on May 16, 2007 at 3:51 PM
The Ft Dix plot made me turn pale and feel sick to my stomach.
I work for a delivery service as a dispatcher. I won’t say anything more than that except that there are MAJOR security holes that could create a serious terror incident.
Next week I hope to work up the courage to risk my job by going to the head of security at the airport and talk to them about the security holes. No, we don’t hire any illegals, but awhile back one of my drivers, while filling out his paperwork said, “God! I hate this country!”.
It gave me pause.
I wish I could say more, but beyond risking my job, I don’t want to give any wackos any ideas.
Hiraghm on May 16, 2007 at 3:54 PM
Not if this fat spending sow of a government were cut off and was required to obey the boundries of the Constitution.
For example, start by eliminating the federal Department of Education.
The only reason your working age taxpayers would be required is to maintain the fat pig.
AZ_Redneck on May 16, 2007 at 3:59 PM
I think I can explain the willingness of our leaders (of both parties) to throw away national security and sovereignty to support illegal immigration.
There are essentially four parties in this mess: the Republicans, the Democrats, the Hispanic political groups, and “Big Business.”
The Republicans support illegal immigration because of both Big Business and the Hispanic lobby. Big Business, as is well established, likes illegals because they can pay them far less than they can citizens and legal residents, and that fact also lowers overall salary costs even in jobs held by legals.
The Republicans listen to the Hispanic lobby because they see the demographics and want to get the Hispanic vote, which the HL warns won’t happen if they don’t play ball.
The Democrats support for illegal immigration goes further than the Republicans’ because they want to give the illegals the vote-later through citizenship, sooner through blocking common-sense anti-voting fraud measures (i.e., Voter ID). They know, as the Republicans apparently do not, that the illegals will overwhelmingly support the Democrats at the voting booths. How do we know this? Because socialist economic policies and class-warfare rhetoric have always appealed to the poor and uneducated. Just consider the Dems’ pals Fidel Castro and Hugo Chavez.
As for the Hispanic political groups, they support illegal immigration and amnesty (and also oppose anti-voter fraud measures) because the more Hispanics in this country, and the more money they have, and the more of them that vote (leally or otherwise), the more political power those groups will have. So they push and demand and cry “racism” even though the legal citizens and residents in this country who are most directly adversely affected by illegal immigration are those exact legal Hispanics the Hispanic lobby is supposed to be representing.
Lancer on May 16, 2007 at 5:15 PM
Was my last post too long and got spiked or did it just get lost?
Lancer on May 16, 2007 at 5:21 PM
Sometimes “We the people” have to do all the work!
Drtuddle on May 16, 2007 at 5:58 PM
tickleddragon on May 16, 2007 at 6:02 PM
sad thing is even the folks that get the consuelar id ,that banks are starting to accept, are juking the system. Most mexicans born in small towns don’t have a birth certificate so they pay for fake ones to get the Consuelar!
Drtuddle on May 16, 2007 at 7:43 PM
What is it about ‘Republican’ they don’t get?
Speakup on May 17, 2007 at 2:42 AM
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