Home > Political Insider > Archives > 2007 > June > 12 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USAdvice to Bush from Georgia senators: Show critics the border money
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Johnny Isakson’s chief contribution to the immigration reform package now stalled in the Senate is the concept of border security as a trigger for other measures, including the granting of legal status to illegal immigrants through “Z” visas.
But opponents of the measure have told us that they view Isakson’s trigger mechanism as so much whitewash. Given the federal government’s past record of border enforcement, they don’t trust it.
Apparently, they’ve told Isakson the same thing.
On Tuesday, Isakson and U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss (an earlier post about his situation is below) sent a letter to the White House, offering President Bush this piece of advice: If you want to move immigration reform off the shoals, show critics the money. Says the letter:
“We believe that you and your administration could alleviate many of the fears of our constituents by calling for an emergency supplemental bill to fully fund the border and interior security initiatives contained in legislation currently pending in the Senate, as well as any outstanding existing authorizations.
“Such a move would show your commitment to securing the border first and to stopping the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs into our nation. It will also work towards restoring the credibility of the federal government on this critical issue.”
Both Isakson and Chambliss are among the Republican senators expected to have lunch with Bush at 1 p.m. or so.
The president’s job was outlined in another letter — sent to him Monday by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, according to the National Journal.
“Only seven Republicans joined 38 Democrats in voting to bring debate on the bill to a close in a timely manner,” Reid said. “We believe it will take stronger leadership by you to ensure that opponents of the bill do not block the path to final passage. Simply put, we need many more than seven Republicans to vote for cloture and final passage of this bill.”
Read the entire Isakson-Chambliss letter on the jump.
Dear Mr. President:
Although the Senate’s effort to reform our nation’s immigration laws through the Secure Borders, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Reform Act of 2007 is stalled, illegal immigration remains our nation’s number one domestic issue. We therefore believe it is incumbent upon us and our colleagues to tackle this issue and not leave this problem for future generations to solve.
As we travel around Georgia and continue to hear from our constituents, the message from a majority of Georgians is that they have no trust that the United States Government will enforce the laws contained in this new legislation and secure the border first.
This lack of trust is rooted in the mistakes made in 1986 and the continued chaos surrounding our immigration laws. Understandably, the lack of credibility the federal government has on this issue gives merit to the skepticism of many about future immigration reform.
We believe the way to build greater support for immigration reform in the United States Senate and among the American public is to regain the trust in the ability of the federal government to responsibly administer immigration programs and enforce immigration laws.
There is bipartisan agreement that we need to secure our borders first, and we believe this approach will serve as a platform towards addressing the other issues surrounding immigration reform.
To that end, we believe that you and your administration could alleviate many of the fears of our constituents by calling for an emergency supplemental bill to fully fund the border and interior security initiatives contained in legislation currently pending in the Senate, as well as any outstanding existing authorizations.
Such a move would show your commitment to securing the border first and to stopping the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs into our nation. It will also work towards restoring the credibility of the federal government on this critical issue.
We urge you to carefully consider this request, and thank you for the opportunity to express the views of the people of Georgia on this matter.
Sincerely, Saxby Chambliss
United States Senator
Johnny Isakson
United States Senator
Services »
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Uncle Jessie
June 12, 2007 10:29 AM | Link to this
An old codger once said “them folks what knows no history is doomed to repeat it” Romans spent all their time at the Coliseum eating free bread, while the Huns crossed Danube. Ask the Indians what open borders got them.
By Tdogg
June 12, 2007 10:38 AM | Link to this
Saxby and Johnny are right on! Keep up the good work boys.
By Tom Jones
June 12, 2007 10:58 AM | Link to this
Once again, they have underscored their committment to securing the border.
Good work Senators!
By deegee
June 12, 2007 10:59 AM | Link to this
It’s not a supply problem it’s a demand problem. Take away the demand for labor and drugs and the supply will disappear. In the case of the demand for drugs, good riddance. In the case of demand for labor, be careful what you wish for because you just might get it.
By Tony
June 12, 2007 11:24 AM | Link to this
Good work? Um, one week they’re in photo ops with those pushing this bill and the next minute they are distancing themselves from what they previously supported. I hate to break it to you but these guys are NOT doing good work. They are running solely on polls and phone calls. One week they lean one way and the following week they quickly change. Who knows what next week brings. Does anyone know what these two are truly for???
By Flip Wilson
June 12, 2007 11:24 AM | Link to this
Looks like Isakson and Chambliss were for the immigration bill before they were against it. Another profile in courage …
By Marge
June 12, 2007 11:28 AM | Link to this
Hold on people. Johnny and Saxby are not telling the President what we reject about this bill. It is the legalization on unknown millions of aliens that we feel is the big sell-out that has been projected to cost the American taxpayers 2.5 trillion dollars for the first 12 million illegal aliens that come forth. We expect that our borders should be secured and that current immigration laws be enforced. Johnny and Saxby sound a big slimy here. Border security is a matter of national security and should not be tied to any “bribe” or “trigger”. Call our Senators office and don’t agree with their letter unless they tell the President that we Georgians soundly reject the amnesty (legalization) part of this bill.
By Craig
June 12, 2007 11:40 AM | Link to this
Something else missing from the obvious here is that a wall does no good when there are still ports to sneak in, tunnels to dig, and guards to clearly bribe. Not sure why people think this wall will do much good. Everyone seems to think our version of the Berlin Wall (which Reagan ordered torn down) suddenly becomes a symbol of reform and a good one for freedom. I guess if people want to get here and see a wall they’ll go home. Give me a break.
And that bodes well for the 12 to 20 million who will be locked behind a wall. What will the result of that be? A sudden flood of people running home and a massive drop in labor. Let’s cause our economy to completely collapse when we create panic. In this knee-jerk response to an issue people clearly don’t understand all we will do is create even more problems. So those who think “border first” I ask what good will the fence do when people are already tunneling, National Guardsmen are already aiding illegals cross, and there are still ports and other borders to cross. But by all means go rush to ‘solve’ the problem when you clearly have no concept of what the problem is or how to solve it.
By Wyatt Earp
June 12, 2007 12:07 PM | Link to this
Half of illegal immigrants enter the country on legal visas and then overstay.
We need to step up enforcement of those who overstay visas along with those that walk over our borders.
How about getting that program to be used by employers to validate immigration status working…that could take another decade if we look at some of the other federal IT projects!
By Tony
June 12, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this
Marge,
Please explain how this is amnesty. First of all not all of the illegals are even eligible. Second of all, they have to pay a fine, leave, and get in the back of the line. How is that amnesty? Please look up the word first. If this is amnesty, explain why they pay a fine which is punishment. If that concept is amnesty I guess millions of people who get traffic tickets get amnesty although they pay fines and marks go on their driver’s record and they pay higher insurance costs.
I love it when people who have no clue what they’re talking about scream that this is amnesty. Please people, read all of this and use your brains. Stop believing the pundit crap being fed to you.
By Chris
June 12, 2007 1:25 PM | Link to this
This is amnesty!!! All an illegal has to do is get a “Z” visa which has a lifetime renewablility. No one has to return home or pay a fine unless they want to become citizens of this country. This “Z” visa is a crock! Their children can still eat up our tax dollars at public schools, they still are eligible for welfare and free health care the only catch is they are not deportable because they have a “Z” visa. Who in their right mind came up with this stupid idea? Why would someone who ignored the LAWS of this country go through the trouble? They didn’t go through it to get here and they won’t go through it to become citizens.
By Pam Bentley
June 12, 2007 1:50 PM | Link to this
RE: BORDER FENCE
Not only SHOW THE MONEY. START WORK ON THE FENCE…..During the Depression HOOVER DAM was built in just under 4 YEARS. Illegal FELONS MUST BE DEPORTED after border is secured…Then we decide what to do next.
By Alan
June 12, 2007 2:13 PM | Link to this
Tony the one with NO CLUE is Tony. Your gray matter is obviously your underwear and not in your brain if you think for one minute the illegal invaders, the criminals who snuck into this country illegally, whose very first act in Amercia was indeed a crime will pay the required fine, learn English, go back to their homeland and then apply for legal entry? Do you do stand up comedy in your spare time? Have you read what some of the Hispanic papers are saying about this? They’re laughing their illegal, burrito eating, fourteen in the apartment, twelve in the van, arses off, thats what they’re doing. Take your dumb liberal skanky butt and move to a border town if you want to live next to this filth. This bill is one hundred per cent amnesty and the bill is dead, face it, understand it, read it and weep; THE BILL IS DEAD. We conservatives will kill any such bill and we’re just starting. Want to come to a Send Them Back Rally? Want an invite Tony?
By d.a. king
June 12, 2007 2:40 PM | Link to this
The Secure Fence of Act of 2006 was signed into law by the president. It has been funded to the tune of $ 1 billion…WHERE IS THE FENCE?
If Bush had any intention of securing th eborders, he would have done so after 9/11. It is not a matter of money. Bush was sent to combine the infrastuctures and economies of Mexico and the U.S. and to further the free flow of people that “free trade” requires. The compromise is the tool to do that. The amnesty bill the instrument of the destruction of American sovereignty - if Bush gets his way….hasta la vista borders.
By Tony
June 12, 2007 2:51 PM | Link to this
Alan,
I bet your white sheets in your closet need washing. First stupid mistake you made was assuming I am a liberal. Not so but thank you for showing us your LACK of grey matter. Second idiotic mistake you made is not offering a true solution. Let me guess. You’re going to load up the shotgun and go round up the Brownies and send them back? Please tell what your wonderful solution is. Your idea of genius is build a wall? Wow. No wall up and they already build tunnels. And more guards? I guess those TX National Guards that are being bribed to import illegals are what you want hired to solve this. And another thing. Why not punish those good ol’ boy Americans doing all the hiring? After all, those illegals would not be here unless your neighbors didn’t pay them. So why don’t you go ship your good old fellow Americans who are breaking the law as well to Mexico? No, you’re the idiot who thinks he’s a conservative who clearly has no grasp of reality. So by all means. Wear your white sheet to the send them back rally. Sing kumbaya and think your little fence fixes this.
By ivan
June 12, 2007 4:25 PM | Link to this
PASS IMMIGRATION REFORM, despite all the racists. It should and it shall happen. And our country will be better off because of that. I am sick of bigots always looking for the boogeyman-blaming their own failures in life on others. First, it was the Irish, then-Jews, Italians, Eastern Europeans, Germans. Do NOT tell me “Let’s deport them all”: this is inhumane and physically impossible. And do NOT tell me “But they are illegal”: your parents became “legal” by getting on a boat from Europe and signing their name at Ellis Island: something that every undocumented worker will do if asked. Be reasonable and pass immigration reform NOW!!!
By Stephanie
June 12, 2007 4:47 PM | Link to this
Sounds like Ivan hangs out with Lindsey Graham. Must be a regular at La Raza.
By Carson
June 12, 2007 11:56 PM | Link to this
Why would anyone even consider negotiating with anyone that never gets around to keeping their word on any of the immigration laws of the past?
What would be the point?
This is like the people that got caught by their own rules while playing games as children. Every time they would get caught in one of their old rules they would start in on a big speech for a new rule. They never would pay up on being caught on the old rule.
No one plays with them long.
Just what are we still doing dealing with these liars?
By Tony
June 13, 2007 12:11 AM | Link to this
Yeah the part I love is you Border First idiots are pushing for amnesty by not punishing the thousands of Americans who hire these illegals. I guess you don’t mind rounding up the foreigners but could care less if Americans break laws huh? Rule of law my #@%$^.
By Anonymous
June 13, 2007 7:58 AM | Link to this
To everyone worked up about the horrible “illegal immigrant” problem:
Congratulations once again on being usefu idiots. Those with little power (i.e., We the Working Class) have once again willingly diverted our anger toward those with no power at all (the undocumented workers). While the fat cats sit back and laugh. AGAIN.
By Anonymous
June 13, 2007 7:58 AM | Link to this
To everyone worked up about the horrible “illegal immigrant” problem:
Congratulations once again on being useful idiots. Those with little power (i.e., We the Working Class) have once again willingly diverted our anger toward those with no power at all (the undocumented workers). While the fat cats sit back and laugh. AGAIN.