In Mortal Danger, by Rep. Tom Tancredo (R, CO): on Immigration
Our society is intoxicated with multiculturalism
My grandparents, like most of their peers, wanted to cut the ties that bound them to the old country and to connect with their new land. At that time, this desire and the economic forces at play combined to encourage the assimilation of immigrants.
In today’s America, immigrants are welcomed by a society intoxicated with the idea of multiculturalism. Today’s immigrants quickly become aware that there is no need to leave their old language or attachments behind because the only cause they will be
required to espouse is allegiance to the ideology of radical multiculturalism.
I don’t know if we have become a nation of the same kind of self-indulgent hedonists that characterized the societies of past civilizations, but
I do know that there is much here worth saving. To do that we must not only look at what it means to be American, but we must also notice how becoming an American has changed.
Source: In Mortal Danger, by Tom Tancredo, p. 22-23
Jun 6, 2006
Spend billions more to enforce border fully
Mass immigration is the sole reason the US population is nearing 300 million. It’s why the Census Bureau estimates that, at current rates, the population will surpass 420 million by 2050.
These are astronomical numbers, but given our country’s poor record of border enforcement, they aren’t surprising.
My answer to the problem of border enforcement is simple: if we’re not devoting enough resources to it, then devote more resources to it. We should be spending billions more than we are. It is
Congress’s duty to do whatever it takes to protect and defend our borders. If we can’t stem the flow of millions of illegal aliens, how can we possibly hope to stop terrorists from infiltrating the country?
Source: In Mortal Danger, by Tom Tancredo, p.101-102
Jun 6, 2006
Erect fence along entire Mexican & Canadian borders
Our immigration policies are in need of reform. In terms of physical security, there is so much we can do. We have the resources to erect a fence along the entire border--not just along our frontier with Mexico, but with Canada as well.
High-tech, two-layer fences have been set up at some portions of the border, and they have been effective. The plan is cost-effective: we can build a border-length fence for about $1.5 million per mile:
$3 billion for a two-thousand plus mile fence along our southwestern border. Given what we would save in terms of providing so many benefits for illegals, I have no doubt we could recoup this investment in no time.
That $3 billion figure is less that we’re spending per month in Iraq.But I cannot pretend that a border-length fence will completely eliminate illegal immigration. Still, a fence will go a long way toward accomplishing that goal.
Source: In Mortal Danger, by Tom Tancredo, p.109-110
Jun 6, 2006
Deploy military troops to support Border Patrol
To bolster the physical protection of our borders, the president should also deploy military troops, when feasible, to support the Border Patrol. To facilitate that, we should amend the criminal statute of posse comitatus, which some believe bars the use
of military in a border-enforcement capacity. This works: in 2005, 444 soldiers in the Army’s 4th Squadron, 14th Calvary Regiment of the 172nd Stryker Brigade conducted desert-like training in conjunction with the border patrol in New Mexico.
They were responsible for aiding federal agents in the apprehension of more than 2,500 illegal aliens and 6,900 pounds of marijuana.We have the technology and resources to secure our borders tomorrow. It is a canard for politicians to say
it’s impossible. What they are really saying is: I choose not to defend and secure our borders because there are political ramifications that I fear. It is those fears that put the life of every American in mortal danger.
Source: In Mortal Danger, by Tom Tancredo, p.110
Jun 6, 2006
Supports employer verification in 2005 reform bill
The measure adopted in the immigration reform legislation passed in December 2005 would, if adopted, severly curtail the numbers of people flowing uninhibited across our borders. Though the measures were still LESS than I wanted, the overall bill was the
best start at real immigration reform is more than ten years. It called for the construction of nearly 700 miles of a two-tiered security fence, for employers to be required to verify that their workers are either US citizens or in the country legally,
for cities to stop providing sanctuary for illegal aliens by prohibiting their police from inquiring about a suspect’s immigration status, and for changing illegal immigration from a civil penalty to a misdemeanor.In debunking these sensible reform
measures, the Wall Street Journal resorted to “the sky is falling” arguments: “Tancredo has done everyone a favor by stating plainly the immigration rejectionists’ endgame--turn the US into the world’s largest gated community.”
Source: In Mortal Danger, by Tom Tancredo, p.113
Jun 6, 2006
It’s a myth that illegal immigrants benefit our economy
For those willing to listen to reason, it’s time to set the record straight. Illegal immigration does very little to benefit our country. For those of you who desire to join me in the fight to secure our borders & our future, remember the following myths
- Myth: There is nothing the US can do to stop illegal immigration
- Myth: Illegal immigrants take jobs Americans don’t want
- Myth: Illegal aliens are an economic plus for America
- Myth: Only bigots object and oppose illegal immigration.
Source: In Mortal Danger, by Tom Tancredo, p.114
Jun 6, 2006
Immigration agency acts as greeters; should act as enforcers
Perhaps the most telling thing about the immigration agency, in spite of 9/11, is that many view their primary task as customer service. They don’t see themselves as enforcers of the law or as protectors of national security.There is a small
contingent, however, that does perform a law-enforcement duty. The objective of this group (the “enforcers”) is the enhancement of national security. When the enforcers’ director resigned, they were isolated and they became whistle-blowers. I sent an
invitation for the head of the whistle-blower group to testify before my Immigration Reform Caucus.
My friend contacted the House Judiciary Committee to set up a meeting for the whistle-blowers to appear before staffers. Those staffers went to the Whit
House to discuss ways to keep the agents from revealing the depth of the corruption in the immigration agency. The administration made it clear it did not want the information to come out for fear it would undermine the immigration guest worker program.
Source: In Mortal Danger, by Tom Tancredo, p.118-119
Jun 6, 2006
Disallow Mexican “matricula” cards as valid ID cards
A matricula consular card is a semiofficial ID issued by the Mexican government to its citizens living in the US. The FBI has determined it “is not a reliable form of identification.” Yet their use is widespread and the US government had done nothing to
curtail it.The only reason a Mexican citizen would need a matricula consular card from the Mexican Embassy is if they are in this country illegally. The cards are easy to fabricate. Authorities have arrested an Iranian national with a Mexican matricul
consular card in his own name.
But the State Dept. views it more “diplomatically.” In 2005, a State Department official said that while State does not defend the use of the cards, it is concerned that limitations on the cards would provide retaliation
from other countries.
Mexican consulates have issued 1.2 million cards & say cards are only issued to citizens who appear in person with acceptable ID. Sometimes applicants need only convince issuing officers that they are who they say they are.
Source: In Mortal Danger, by Tom Tancredo, p.124-125
Jun 6, 2006
Left supports immigration for votes; right for cheap labor
For years I have been one of the few to voice my concern over the marriage of politics and the law. On the left side of the aisle, politicians continue to do nothing about immigration because they know their ambiguities turn into votes for them.
The right does nothing to stop it because we believe it generates cheap labor. The sum of those two powerful interests has stopped us from doing anything significant about the immigration problem and border security.
Our borders are porous because we lack the political will to close them. The amazing thing is we have the technology and resources to secure our border tomorrow, but we lack the will to do it.
Is it right that our borders allow the influx of millions of people to take the jobs of Americans? To force people either to work for less money than they were working for just a few years ago. To be unemployed? All in order to achieve political goals.
Source: In Mortal Danger, by Tom Tancredo, p.127-128
Jun 6, 2006
Bush’s “guest worker” program IS amnesty
The president’s guest-worker program, which he says is not an amnesty but would nonetheless allow people to legally remain in the US for a period of time to work, is a reward for breaking into our country. And even if it is not full-blown amnesty, it is
being looked upon as such by the lawbreakers themselves.The president said he was going to create a program but did not want to call it amnesty because that has a bad connotation with the public. No matter how many ways he wants to phrase it,
no matter how many times he says he is against amnesty, the truth is, his plan is an amnesty plan.
The plan clearly offers amnesty in two respects. First, it protects persons who have broken the law from the punishment prescribed by law (deportation)
while offering them the privilege that few get (living and working in the US). Second, does anyone really believe that, at the end of six years, the immigrants will go home or that Congress will have the political will to make them do so?
Source: In Mortal Danger, by Tom Tancredo, p.129-130
Jun 6, 2006
No net benefit from immigration; annual $70B loss
Contrary to the protestations of the open-borders crowd, illegal immigration does not result in a net economic benefit to the US. In fact, illegal immigration, and, for that matter, legal mass migration cost America taxpayers far more than it generates
annually. Immigration costs US taxpayers in excess of $70 billion annually. Most of these costs are borne by state & local governments, while the majority of tax receipts go to the federal government:- $27 billion: The cost of educating some 1.5
million school-aged illegal aliens and their 2 million US-born siblings.
- $14 billion: The cost of incarcerating illegal aliens, plus direct border-enforcement operations.
- $10 billion: The net cost of labor, when all taxes are paid and all costs are
considered. Among the largest costs are:
$2.5 billion: Medicaid- $2.2 billion: treatment for the uninsured
- $1.9 billion: Food assistance programs
- $1.6 billion: Federal prison & court systems
- $1.4 billion: federal aid to schools
Source: In Mortal Danger, by Tom Tancredo, p.155-161
Jun 6, 2006
Anchor babies: pregnant Mexicans give birth to US citizens
By simply being born in the US, a child automatically becomes an American citizen eligible for a range of public-assistance benefits. Mexican mothers frequently come to the US just to give birth.A little-discussed constitutional provision actually
allows all of this to happen legally through what’s called birthright citizenship. Though the provision was not authored with the intent of granting automatic citizenship to children of persons in the country illegally, courts throughout the years have
held that it does.
The 14th Amendment starts, “All persons born or naturalized in the US... are citizens of the US.” Written in the immediate aftermath of the Civil War, the law’s intent was to prevent states from denying citizenship to newly freed
slaves.
The loophole has become well known. The children born to illegal aliens are called “anchor babies” because once they are born in the US, they serve as an anchor to keep themselves & their families firmly (and legally) in the country.
Source: In Mortal Danger, by Tom Tancredo, p.167
Jun 6, 2006
End “catch & release” along Mexican border
Fixing Our Broken BordersBegin Building a Border Security Fence- Put troops on the border
- End “catch and release”
- Mandate passport usage for everyone traveling internationally
- Suspend visa waiver program
Enforcing the Law
Throughout the Country- Restrict illegal alien sanctuary policies
- Disallow religious organizations from harboring illegal aliens
- Make DUI a deportable offense
- Increase penalties for the smuggling of illegal aliens
- Increase penalties for
terrorists who are illegal aliens
- Increase penalties for gang members who are illegal aliens
- Make unlawful presence in the US a felony
Stopping Businesses from Hiring Illegals- Make employment verification mandatory
-
Eliminate the business tax write-off for illegal workers
- Increase the penalty for employers who hire illegal aliens
- Make businesses that hire illegal aliens ineligible for future guest workers
Source: In Mortal Danger, by Tom Tancredo, p.187-188
Jun 6, 2006
Eliminate “chain migration” where illegals bring in families
Fixing Our Broken BordersReforming Legal Immigration- Eliminate the visa lottery
- Eliminate chain migration
- Eliminate H-1B visas (temporary work permits)
- Eliminate unskilled worker green cards
- Create a cabinet-level Department of
Immigration
Restoring the Meaning of Citizenship- End birthright citizenship for illegal aliens
- Eliminate dual citizenship
- Make English the official language
- Write the oath if citizenship into law
- Strengthen safeguards against voter
fraud
Disentangling Foreign Policy from Immigration- Block any immigration provisions from trade bills
- Block visas to countries that refuse to take their nationals back
Reducing the Incentive to Come Illegally-
Disallow federal funding for in-state tuition for illegal aliens
- Disallow the matricula consular card as legal ID
- Reform the use of taxpayer ID numbers
- Eliminate Social Security totalization for illegal aliens
Source: In Mortal Danger, by Tom Tancredo, p.188-189
Jun 6, 2006
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2019