Congressman Tancredo Talks Immigration

Congressman Tom Tancredo speaks at the breakfast prior to the 3rd Congressional Convention

Congressman Tom Tancredo (R- Colorado) was the featured speaker at the Third Congressional District Republican fundraiser breakfast on Saturday, April 23.  One attendee let Tancredo know that he had paid twice to hear him and he sure hoped that it would be worth it! (NOTE: Tancredo was scheduled as the speaker at last year’s fundraiser. The weather in DC and the airlines conspired to be certain that he never made it to Minneapolis. For the attendee’s evaluation of Tancredo’s remarks, see the end of this article!)

Tancredo is the Chair of the House Immigration Reform Caucus. This caucus has grown from 16 members when he became chair to 80 members including Congressman Jim Ramstad. He told the story of standing before 250 high school students in Colorado and asking, “How many think we live in the greatest country on earth?” At first no hands were raised. Then a few hands went up reluctantly and most of the students looked to their teachers for the right answer. Tancredo was appalled and concerned by this response.  We are not teaching our children about our country and what it means to be an American.

Illegal immigration is putting an enormous stress on the United States. It is stretching our resources in hospitals, schools, and social service agencies. It is leading to congested traffic and increased crime associated with drugs. We have people who are paid in cash under the table and as a result pay no taxes, no social security, no Medicare. And yet they are able to vote, get driver’s licenses, and receive benefits.

What does it mean to be an American? It used to mean that we had shared values about freedom and responsibility and immigrants wanted to learn the new ways. Now illegal immigrants come strictly for the economic advantages and have no interest in becoming “Americans”. Most of this immigration is coming from Mexico which encourages the flow to the US. President Vincente Fox was recently in Minnesota and other states campaigning. He cannot run for another term, but his party can and so he is visiting his Mexican citizens in our states to encourage them to vote for his party. (So much for being Americans.)

Congressman Tom Tancredo (center) with some of the SD 41 delegates

The INS (now the ICE) has little to no interest in doing anything about illegal immigrants. In fact there are “Sanctuary” cities and one “Sanctuary” state (Maine) which have declared that they will take no action against any illegal alien. Employers use “Employment Brokers” to put a wall between themselves and the illegal aliens. The employer hires the employment broker who finds the workers. That way the employer can say he just didn’t know. Even if the ICE does intercede, they frequently pick up the illegal aliens and just drop them off in the next town. 

Tancredo is absolutely opposed to amnesty in any form. A mass amnesty was done in 1986 under President Reagan and it created an incentive for additional illegal immigration. It sends the message to come to the U.S. any way you can and keep you head down until the government gives up. Additionally, amnesty is a slap in the face to the millions who came to the U.S. legally over the years. To reward people who broke our laws is to insult the people who waited patiently until they were admitted.

Tancredo is frequently asked, “What can we do?” He urges that every one of us ask our elected officials at the city, state, county, and national level what they are going to do regarding this problem and hold them accountable. This issue threatens our country’s economic, educational and social services future and must be solved.

At the end, Tancredo turned to the attendee who hoped he would get his money’s worth. When asked, “Was it worth it?” the man replied, “Absolutely!” Congressman Tancredo spoke for 50 minutes with humor, knowledge, passion, and commitment. He was definitely worth it for all in attendance. Now watch for him on FOX News, CNN, and C-SPAN. He has become the spokesman for this critical issue. Check his web site www.tancredo.org for additional information