Secretary Gutierrez, Congressman Schwarz Bring GOP'S Immigration Roadshow to Michigan
One day after the New York Times reported that President Bush has signaled his willingness to back away from his support of comprehensive immigration reform and join extremists in the Republican Congress who support an enforcement-only approach to the issue, the President's Commerce Secretary brought the Bush Administration's failed leadership on immigration and border security to Battle Creek, MI. [New York Times, 7/5/06] Secretary Carlos Gutierrez and Michigan Republican Congressman John Schwarz today participated in a closed press roundtable on immigration issues.
The meeting comes as Congressional Republicans are holding town hall-style hearings across the country designed to distract from their failure to secure America's borders, enact comprehensive immigration reform, and take the steps necessary to keep America safe. In response to those hearings, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) yesterday released a new Spanish-language radio ad that demands that Republicans in Washington stop delaying the passage of comprehensive immigration reform and join Democrats in working to pass border security measures that are both tough and smart.
"The people of Michigan deserve better than what they've seen from Bush Republicans like Secretary Gutierrez and Congressman Schwarz who are playing political games with border security," said DNC spokesman Damien LaVera.
"These sham hearings by House Republicans and the President's decision to cave to extremists in his party cannot hide the fundamental truth that Americans simply cannot trust Republicans with their security. By blocking Democratic efforts to increase funds for border security, port security, the COPS program, and many other key homeland security programs, Congressional Republicans have consistently fought Democratic efforts to secure our borders and make America safer.
"It is time for Republicans to join Democrats in fighting for comprehensive immigration reform that strengthens our borders, protects U.S. workers and their wages, reunites families and allows hard-working immigrants who pay taxes and obey the law the opportunity to earn the right to apply for the responsibilities of citizenship."
The 9/11 Commission gave the Republican Congress failing grades, including a "D" on border security. Despite the Commission's recommendations, Republicans in Congress have blocked seven Democratic measures to enhance border security resources over the last four and a half years. If these Democratic amendments had been adopted, there would be 6,600 more Border Patrol agents, 14,000 more detention beds, and 2,700 more immigration agents along our borders than now exist. Yet each time, the Republican Majority rejected these efforts to make our borders more secure.
The text of the new DNC ad, which features Texas Democratic Congressman and former U.S. Border Patrol agent Silvestre Reyes (TX-16),, along with an English translation of the ad follows. To listen to it, click here.
Translated Text In English
Title: Border Security
Length: :60 seconds
Language: Spanish
Audio:
Paid for by Democratic National Committee. www.democrats.org. This communication not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. The DNC is responsible for the content of this advertising.
For more than 26 years I served on the border, fighting to keep our enemies and drug dealers out. And for years in Congress, I've called on Republicans who control everything in Washington to take action to secure America's borders.
But for six years Republicans have done nothing. Worse, they have blocked Democrats' efforts to increase border security.
Now, instead of acting to secure our borders and pass immigration reform; Republicans are holding hearings, just so they can keep scapegoating immigrants. They think that's how they'll win elections in November.
We can't trust Republicans with our security or with immigration reform. Democrats want to act now.
This is Congressman Silvestre Reyes. Join Democrats in calling on Republicans to stop playing games with immigration; and start securing our borders.
Text In Spanish
Title: Seguridad Fronteriza
Length: :60
Language: Spanish
Audio:
Pagado por el Comité Nacional Demócrata. www.Democrats.org Este comunicado no está autorizado por ningún candidato ni comité de candidato. El DNC es responsable por el contenido de este anuncio.
Durante más de 26 años, preste servicio en la frontera luchando para mantener a nuestros enemigos y a narcotraficantes afuera. Y durante años en el Congreso, le he exigido a los Republicanos que controlan todo en Washington que tomen acción para asegurar las fronteras de los Estados Unidos.
Pero en seis años los Republicanos no han hecho nada. Peor aún, han bloqueado esfuerzos de los Demócratas para aumentar la seguridad fronteriza.
Ahora, en vez de actuar para asegurar nuestras fronteras y aprobar la reforma de inmigración; los Republicanos están realizando audiencias solo para seguir usando a los inmigrantes como chivos expiatorios. Asi piensan que ganarán las elecciones en noviembre.
No podemos confiarle nuestra seguridad ni la reforma migratoria a los Republicanos. Los Demócratas queremos actuar ahora.
Les habla el Congresista Silvestre Reyes. Únase con los Demócratas para exigir a los Republicanos que dejen de jugar con la inmigración; y comienzen a asegurar nuestras fronteras.
