Members of Congress Facing Immigration Questions During Summer Recess

A timely post from www.NumbersUSA.com about Congressional townhalls this August. This follows THIS VERY IMPORTANT POST about the Arizona Senate race and this post about the MURDER of ROBERT KRENTZ, who the protestors and boycotters won't give a solution for, but will call Americans racist for trying to prevent another MURDER, and this post which shows that there are 30,000 openly illegal immigrants in the border town of El Paso. For more interesting stories like this click here to follow this blog.

Members of Congress Facing Immigration Questions During Summer Recess
- posted on NumbersUSA

With the exception of a quick special session by both the House and Senate to approve a $600 million supplemental spending bill to be used for border security, the month of August is typically used by Members of Congress to return to their home districts and reconnect with their constituents through Town Hall meetings. This August, Democrats and Republicans are facing questions from citizens in their district on the issue of immigration.

Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R-Md.), who has the best career immigration-reduction grade from the Maryland delegation, an A, commented on border security and the 14th Amendment. On the issue of border security, Rep. Bartlett bragged about his voting record, which shows a history of him voting in favor of every bill that provides funding to build a border fence or sends troops to the border. On the issue of Birthright Citizenship and the 14th Amendment, Rep. Bartlett said, "I think this would be a reasonable debate to have."

Rep. Connie Mack (R-Fla.) came under some fire after Arizona passed its tough immigration enforcement law by writing a letter to Florida state legislators, urging them not to follow Arizona's example. While he did stand by his letter, he used one of his Town Hall meetings to publicly endorse Florida gubernatorial candidate Bill McCollum. McCullom is recommending that Florida pass legislation similar to Arizona.

Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), who is one of the leading Democrats in reducing overall immigration numbers, said at one of his Town Hall meetings that attrition through enforcement is the way to go.

“Most people who are sneaking across the border — other than drug smugglers and potentially terrorists — are coming here to work. If you cut off what I call the employment magnet, then people are going to stop sneaking or paying people to bring them across the border," Rep. DeFazio said.

“If we strained out all the people who are sneaking in to get work, then you're suddenly only dealing with criminals. That becomes an easier thing to deal with in terms of a law enforcement issue and the use of force against these people.”

Another leading Democrat on the issue, Rep. Bobby Bright (D-Ala.), said other immigration issues can't be addressed until the border is secured.

"What we do is secure the border first. We have to do that. Let's take some of our resources coming back from Iraq and maybe even some of those heading over to Afghanistan and maybe look at taking those and applying them to border security. If we can get a handle on that, then we can look at what to do with those who are already here illegally."

Rep. Bright has been inconsistent with his opinion of Arizona's immigration law, but he clarified his position at a recent Town Hall meeting. He had issues with the law as it was first written, but he said when the Arizona legislature clarified the law, requiring officers to check immigration status only with individuals who they have stopped, detained, or arrested, he said that change made up his mind.

"When they did that, that removed any concern I had and I said 'bingo', let's go with it."

First-term Rep. Tom Perriello (D-Va.) also dealt with questions regarding immigration during his recent meetings with constituents in southern Virginia. Rep. Perriello is in serious jeopardy of losing his re-election bid this fall. He referred questions regarding illegal immigration to the 1,500 troops Pres. Obama plans to send to the Southwest border and defended high levels of legal immigration.

"Legal immigration is important. We shouldn't punish people who are playing by the rules."

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