Despite President's address to the nation, Tancredo questions Bush's commitment to enforce immigration laws

May 15, 2006

Congressman Tom Tancredo (R-CO), Chairman of the 97-member House Immigration Reform Caucus, made the following comments regarding President Bush’s speech to the nation on immigration.

“Sending National Guard troops to the border is a necessary stop gap measure to gain control of our borders. The government has chosen to limit the National Guard to a supporting role, but that will allow the Border Patrol to do its job—stopping illegal aliens from breaking our laws.

“It appears that the Administration has begun to understand the breadth and depth of frustration with our open borders, and I welcome the President’s support of increased enforcement. But if the President thinks by taking one step forward with enforcement the House will follow him two steps backwards with amnesty, he’s confusing us with the Senate. The American people understand that blanket amnesty is not a pre-requisite for border security,” said Representative Tancredo.

“The Senate’s 12-million person amnesty – the largest in America’s history – would crush our background check system. It would dishonor legal immigrants who came here the right way. And, it would only encourage more illegal immigration. The President may say that the Senate’s plan isn’t amnesty, but when you reward people with citizenship and you allow them to continue to work in the U.S. for the sole reason that they broke the law, what else can you call it?

“A few weeks ago, the Administration announced a crackdown on illegal employers, arresting more than 1,100, nationwide. But by the next morning, more than half of those arrested were released. Public relations in lieu of enforcement won’t fly with the American people. We will all be watching and waiting to see if the President follows through on his pledge to enforce the law,” Tancredo concluded.