Immigration Enforcement Un-American?

[classicman]

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi recently told a group of both legal and illegal immigrants and their families that enforcement of existing immigration laws, as currently practiced, is "un-American."

The speaker, condemning raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, referred to the immigrants she was addressing as "very, very patriotic."

"Who in this country would not want to change a policy of kicking in doors in the middle of the night and sending a parent away from their families?" Pelosi told a mostly Hispanic gathering at St. Anthony's Church in San Francisco.

"It must be stopped....What value system is that? I think it's un-American. I think it's un-American."

Pelosi said she was invited to the church by Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., as part of his 17-city, cross-country tour called United Families, which he says is intended to put a human face on the immigration debate.

"We think that families are the cornerstone of our society and our nation, and an immigration system should preserve those families, not destroy them," Gutierrez told FOX News Capitol Hill Producer Chad Pergram on Tuesday.

The congressman is collecting petitions that ask President Obama to "stop the immigration raids and deportations that are tearing our marriages, families and children apart." He is expected to present those petitions when Hispanic members of Congress meet with the President Wednesday.

On Saturday night, Pelosi joined Gutierrez before a cheering crowd at St. Anthony's chanting, "Si se puede," or "Yes we can."

Referring to work site enforcement actions by ICE agents, Pelosi said, "We have to have a change in policy and practice and again ... I can't say enough, the raids must end. The raids must end.


"You are special people. You're here on a Saturday night to take responsibility for our country's future. That makes you very, very patriotic."[/b]

Help me out here - If they are here illegally, America isn't their country is it?

"I was embarrassed by what she said," said Rick Oltman, with Californians for Population Stabilization, an anti-illegal immigrant group. "Exhorting illegal aliens for taking responsibility for our country's future.... In fact, sitting there in the audience.... I really resented that comment."

"I think it was pandering to the crowd but also insulting to American citizens who consider themselves to be patriotic, who obey the rule of law," said Oltman, who shot a video of the rally.

Very interesting. I wonder where this is headed.

[lookout123]

The same place as always. Big arguments and name calling. Anti-illegal immigration will be portrayed as racist simpletons and the open borders crowd will cast as the limp wristed unpatriotic fools.

there really isn't much left to be said.

[BrianR]

It should be headed towards a policy where when we kick in the doors, we drag the whole family back to their home country, not just the illegals.

[sugarpop]

Yea, I was pretty shocked when I heard her say that. Why is it unAmerican to want to enforce our immigration laws? I just don't get it.

I agree it was a stupid thing for Pelosi to say.

But to play devil's advocate....

Under the current law, illegal immigrants have a right to a hearing to determine if there are circumstances (eg potential political persecution if sent back to their home country, mistakes on work or student visas, etc.) in which they may be eligible to stay in the country.

And, immigration violations are considered civil violations, like a speeding ticket or trespassing, but the government can imprison illegal immigrants without many of the rights criminals receive: no court-appointed attorney or even a right to speak with an attorney, no bond hearings, no guarantee of a speedy trial.

Several years ago, the Supreme Court ruled that ICE has about 6 months to deport or release immigrants, yet many who have not committed any other crime, have been held for more than a year.

In addition, raids in which whole families are rounded up often include children born here who have constitutional rights as citizens.

I'm not suggesting that most illegals who are caught should not be deported, but I can understand why some may feel that many illegals do not receive due process in a manner equal to other "criminals" under US law.

[classicman]

Originally Posted by Redux

It was another stupid thing for Pelosi to say.
sorry couldn't resist.


raids in which whole families are rounded up often include children born here who have constitutional rights as citizens.

I'm not suggesting that most illegals who are caught should not be deported, but I can understand why some may feel that many illegals do not receive due process in a manner equal to other "criminals" under US law.

That issue troubles me the most. The children who are born here with family that is here illegally. Its a difficult situation. Very sad.

Build the wall, stop the influx & deal with the remaining as best we can. It will be a lot easier to give them their due process, especially when time limits are imposed, if the system wasn't dealing with such a vast number as they are now. Its the same as the legal system tough to deal with so many cases and the backup keeps getting longer.

[TheMercenary]

On a lighter note, some of your compatriots don't like this subject.

reverse posting link:

http://cellar.org/showthread.php?p=547013#post547013



Now stop it!

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by classicman

Help me out here - If they are here illegally, America isn't their country is it?



Very interesting. I wonder where this is headed.

May they are afraid they are going to raid her kitchen help?

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

May they are afraid they are going to raid her kitchen help?

I think you might be mistaking Pelosi for Linda Chavez, Bush's first nominee for Labor Secretary

Q. When did Marta Mercado tell you that she was actually here illegally?

A. She remembers that she told me after she'd been in my house about three months. I will be very frank with you, I think I always knew that she was here illegally. I don't check green cards when I see a woman who is battered and who has no place to live and nothing to eat and no way to get on her feet.

Q. Did you also help her get a job with your next-door neighbor?

A. I helped her in every way that I could: I drove her places to look for work; I drove her to English classes; I taught her to use the bus. I did a lot of things for her that I would do for anybody in those circumstances.

http://www.nytimes.com/2001/01/10/us...-comments.html

[TheMercenary]

There was no mistake. I wouldn't put it past her. She is from San Fancisco.

San Francisco

[Beestie]

Pelosi would make a great politician if she wasn't so damn stupid.

[TheMercenary]

[sugarpop]

My God. There are more illegals in Georgia than Nevada?

[sugarpop]

When they wrote the 14th ammendment, I don't think they could have forseen the trouble it would cause in the future. I don't think "anchor babies" should be legal citizens. If someone illegally comes into the country to have a baby so they can stay here, that is wrong. the ammendment needs ammending.