U.S. Border Control

Liberal blogs say Tancredo "hides his light" as a humanitarian

This much is true. Tom Tancredo has never tried to draw attention to his efforts as an international humanitarian. While many call him an 'honorable anti-illegal immigration crusader,' liberals have more often described him as a ' self-righteous xenophobe,' but both these descriptions are based on his efforts to end illegal immigration in the U.S.

That's why it's humorous, and interesting, that liberal blogs, such as the Huffington Post and Salon, seem to be amazed that to the Genocide Intervention Network, Tancredo is a hero. The organization named him one of its four "Champions of Darfur," and gave him an A+ on its legislative report card, Darfur Scores. Only 10 other House members received the top grade.

Tancredo received points for sponsoring measures, including a resolution encouraging all public and private institutions and private citizens to divest from companies doing business in Sudan. Another measure would create a student loan forgiveness program for Sudanese living in the United States with the goal of encouraging them to return to southern Sudan to help with reconstruction efforts.

Tancredo, like many evangelical Christians in the U.S., first began paying attention to the Sudanese Arab government because of its violence against the Christians in the south. The government is now charged with supporting Arab militias committing atrocities in Darfur. "Congressman Tancredo has for years been one of the strongest voices on Sudan in the U.S. House of Representatives, and his leadership on Sudan issues has been important on a number of critical issues," Sudan advocate and Smith College Professor Eric Reeves said.

The Taiwanese revere Tancredo, as well. The people of Taiwan, many of whom are Christian, are still considered by the U.S. to be under Chinese rule, although Taiwan functions as its own sovereign, democratic country. This year Tancredo sponsored a resolution expressing Congressional support for Taiwan to be allowed to compete in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing under its own name and flag.

The Congressman has regularly made national - and sometimes international - headlines because of his positions on illegal immigration, but rarely does he get much media attention for his support of Sudanese peace or Taiwanese independence. In part, that's because illegal immigration is a more controversial issue in the U.S.

Tancredo's office has issued 49 press releases this year about immigration, just five press releases about Taiwan and none about Sudan. Legislatively, Tancredo has given equal weight to human rights and illegal immigration.