Legislation to close the border

[SwordOfShannarah]

I'm curious- has Ron Paul introduced legislation to close the border? If not why not? I would think this would be extremely popular legislation and would attract a lot of supporters to his campaign. No matter where you stand on amnesty every American wants the border closed.

[SwordOfShannarah]

I'm curious- has Ron Paul introduced legislation to close the border? If not why not? I would think this would be extremely popular legislation and would attract a lot of supporters to his campaign. No matter where you stand on amnesty every American wants the border closed.

sorry guys I need to bump this- can someone respond with some thoughts? Am I off to be asking for this? Isn't this what Americans want? A closed border? Or has this legislation already been introduced and I don't know about it? Any thoughts would be appreciated!! Thanks

P.S. I should add I put this as a suggestion as a comment on RP's myspace and it wasn't approved. Not that this means anything- it just might not be the place they want suggestions.

[TheDuke]

Well, he has suggested it a number of times...

[Duckman]

sorry guys I need to bump this- can someone respond with some thoughts? Am I off to be asking for this? Isn't this what Americans want? A closed border? Or has this legislation already been introduced and I don't know about it? Any thoughts would be appreciated!! Thanks

I don't think most Americans want a "closed border," if that implies what I think it does, that is, the end of legal immigration. If I recall correctly, Tancredo suggested we close the border to all immigrants, legal or illegal, until we "sort out" what is going on with the border or some such thing in the 3rd debate but nobody else was on board with that idea. We are a nation of immigrants, and I don't think it would be very American to cut off the flow.

As for ending illegal immigration, I think the main thing most people would agree to is that the borders should be better protected. As for whether to give an amnesty to those already here or not, it seems certain that most Republicans want no amnesty, but I think most others (possibly a majority) would like to see the illegals currently here have a path to citizenship but more done to prevent more illegals from coming over.

I admit, I don't have hard statistics to back this up. But I seem to recall seeing a poll last week showing that a slim majority of Americans favored some kind of amnesty. It's just that the anti-amnesty people are much more vocal.

I know I am not in the majority opinion of Republicans on this, but I favor amnesty, just because I don't think there is a reasonable way to get the illegals back home.

In my view, there are only three ways to get the illegal immigrants back home.

1) Round them up with the police
2) Put such severe penalties on employers that the illegals won't be able to get a job
3) Bribe them to return home (cash payment)

I think any attempt to use the police will lead to ugly riots, and I forsee lots of illegals and police getting killed.

I think severe restrictions on employers will backfire... it will be hard to prove whether an employer knowingly hired an illegal, and I forsee lots of well-meaning companies put out of business by the government due to such restrictions.

Bribes might work, but they would have to be pretty large IMO, and with the number of illegals here, I doubt it would be feasible.

[SwordOfShannarah]

I didn't explain clearly. I'm simply talking about stopping illegal immigration. Stopping the illegal alien flow. I believe most all Americans want to stop this.

@TheDuke - could you point me to the bill? Or do you have a title I can search for? I'm really surprised this bill hasn't received more attention if it exists.

To hold off on securing the border until we decide what to do with the illegals that are here makes no sense at all. They are two separate issues.

[AgentSmith]

Dont you worry, when they are ready they will seal that border and nobody gets out without dear leaders approval. ;)

[Swmorgan77]

I'm curious- has Ron Paul introduced legislation to close the border? If not why not? I would think this would be extremely popular legislation and would attract a lot of supporters to his campaign. No matter where you stand on amnesty every American wants the border closed.

Because it is not a question of more legislation! Why are we conditioned to think that every problem must be solved with a new law? The immigration problem stems from a combination of economic incentives, and a FAILURE to enforce existing law.

Making America into a police state with national ID cards to take care of a problem that is ALREADY adequately addressed by laws which simply need to be enforced, is NOT ACCEPTABLE.

[johnrocks]

I think he introduced legislation to make anchor babies no longer eligible for citizenship and has presented ideas to take the incentives away to come here or stay here illegally. I think the war issue as well as the foreign policy issue is what separates him from the rest of the pack and that is where he is focusing the bulk of his attention t right now and for good reason. Immigration would get lost in with Tancredo and Hunter and his other stances would also not raise him up in popularity as does the foreign policy issues. Go Ron Paul!!!

[rg123]

Well Im an american and I want a fence they hold our prisoners very well. Its an invasion and it costs us trillions they do not want to be american and have no concept of American History Ron voted for the for the Secure Fence Act of 2006
which was to provide 700 miles of fence so far 2 miles of poles have been built
and was ordered to discontinue by Homeland Security shortly theirafter.


Both the national guard and border patrol have been being pulled of the border to be sent to Iraq and we are building a wall in Iraq. He has a bill on the floor currently which has been referred to committee which is the house way of ignoring it. Here is the bill and a link to all of Rons bills this year: http://thomas.loc.gov/ half way down browse bills by sponser

4. H.J.RES.46 : Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to deny United States citizenship to individuals born in the United States to parents who are neither United States citizens nor persons who owe permanent allegiance to the United States.
Sponsor: Rep Paul, Ron [TX-14] (introduced 6/13/2007) Cosponsors (4)
Committees: House Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 6/13/2007 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on the Judic

He has also brought bills to stop welfare to illegals also

[SwordOfShannarah]

Because it is not a question of more legislation! Why are we conditioned to think that every problem must be solved with a new law? The immigration problem stems from a combination of economic incentives, and a FAILURE to enforce existing law.

Making America into a police state with national ID cards to take care of a problem that is ALREADY adequately addressed by laws which simply need to be enforced, is NOT ACCEPTABLE.

To this I would say because incentives would take too much time at this moment. I think a fight fire with fire short term approach is necessary. I also think it's the kind of bill Americans could get behind right away. Because this type of legislation is making headlines and because Ron Paul is in the media now he would be able to publicize the bill and I think it would bring momentum to his campaign (if he introduced this type of legislation).

But you're right, the incentives must be removed. I guess I would have to agree with you and add I would like to see BOTH!! :)

Now as far as ID cards go.. I never said anything about that. I said dealing with illegals here in the U.S. is a separate issue. Anyone who supports Ron Paul is against the RealID. That's a given.

[Bradley in DC]

I didn't explain clearly. I'm simply talking about stopping illegal immigration. Stopping the illegal alien flow. I believe most all Americans want to stop this.

@TheDuke - could you point me to the bill? Or do you have a title I can search for? I'm really surprised this bill hasn't received more attention if it exists.

To hold off on securing the border until we decide what to do with the illegals that are here makes no sense at all. They are two separate issues.

No, the issue is much more complicated than that. The workers coming without visas are a result of a failed government policy more than anything else, not the cause. There is more of an issue with people overstaying visas than anything else, and "closing the border" would not address that issue.

Besides, many businesses (especially seasonal agricultural businesses) depend on that labor. In short, "closing the border" is not the best of all options. Better to address the causes, not the symptoms (which is Dr. Paul's approach).

[kelldor]

I went to an anti-illegal immigration march and rally today. There were counter protesters as well, mainly from http://www.internationalsocialist.org/. We had over 100 American flags there, and the opposition had about 60 commies chanting against us calling us racists. They were promoting La Raza and La Reconquista of Aztlan. I held up a giant banner with another guy from the Space Needle to the Federal building as we marched down 2nd Ave. The banner said "AZTLAN? NEVER!"

It was cool, exhilarating! I never protested before. There was a lot of Seattle PD and Homeland Security there keeping people from fighting and stuff. It went well, no violence, but it got really heated at times.

The Minutemen were there in force, and I got a chance to talk to some of them about Ron Paul. They weren't sure on him. I told them "Ron Paul supports Border Security", cause he does, he said so, and his voting record probably shows that.. They said, "I hope so, but I don't know."

I could tell this 1 family of Minutemen I talked to had recently seen the Joseph Farrah of www.WND.com hit piece on Ron Paul. (http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=56177) It showed. Jesse Benton on WND recently wrote a great response to that article (http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=56269) though.

The primary point I wish to express is that I think if Ron Paul gave a speech in Texas specifically on this issue, it would greatly strengthen his campaign. If I was Ron Paul I would go to the Border and give a speech there, right on the Border! Speak out strongly for a fence and against amnesty, and Bam! he would instantly undue any previous damage and win the hearts and minds of the border state residents who are getting shot at and fire bombed and murdered at an average of 23 per day by armed drug gangs.

I know from his speeches he supports border security, but the message has not been herd effectively by the people most affected by this issue. I don't know if Ron Paul's campaign staff will see this, but if so, please take note of this experience I had.

The border folks are desperate for help. I don't know that they'll last another 17 months 'til the election. The situation is bad, getting worse, could lead to some significant armed conflict. That is no joke.

The good news is this: THey all realize it is no longer about Democrats or Republicans as both are conspiring to defraud us and are selling us out. They know the truth about the IRS and the federal Reserve, but don't bother to go there because it is too complex for the average citizen to grasp. In that they are right, at the moment.

There is much common ground that can be reached between their concerns and those of Ron Paul's. I hope that becomes more well known soon. Thx all.

Kelly Hatch
Concrete, Wa. United States of America, NOT the North American Union.

[LibertyEagle]

I admit, I don't have hard statistics to back this up. But I seem to recall seeing a poll last week showing that a slim majority of Americans favored some kind of amnesty. It's just that the anti-amnesty people are much more vocal.

I didn't see the poll last week, but the earlier poll I saw, the vast majority of Americans are against amnesty. This seems to be evidenced by the constantly jammed phone lines of the Senators too.

[LibertyEagle]

The primary point I wish to express is that I think if Ron Paul gave a speech in Texas specifically on this issue, it would greatly strengthen his campaign. If I was Ron Paul I would go to the Border and give a speech there, right on the Border! Speak out strongly for a fence and against amnesty, and Bam! he would instantly undue any previous damage and win the hearts and minds of the border state residents who are getting shot at and fire bombed and murdered at an average of 23 per day by armed drug gangs.

I know from his speeches he supports border security, but the message has not been herd effectively by the people most affected by this issue. I don't know if Ron Paul's campaign staff will see this, but if so, please take note of this experience I had.

The border folks are desperate for help. I don't know that they'll last another 17 months 'til the election. The situation is bad, getting worse, could lead to some significant armed conflict. That is no joke.




I totally agree with you on this. I also think he should make his views more known on this issue.

I'll tell you one thing though, I, like you, have seen the anger of the American people on this issue and they are in no small numbers. Why is it that people like Giuliani and McCain are still polling high, while the only candidates that take a strong stance against the illegal alien invasion of our country, are polling low? Doesn't make sense to me.

You can always send an email to Ron Paul's headquarters and tell them what you think. Won't hurt....

[kelldor]

American's are PISSED OFF about this, I agree with you 110%. I just got done e-mailing the person that organized todays event, talked to her earlier today, and let her know Ron Paul's position on this issue. /crossing fingers.

Just in case anyone is wondering,... Yes, She was HOT!.

Kel.

[LibertyEagle]

Have you seen this video, Nation of Aztlan?

http://www.immigrationwatchdog.com/?p=811

Notice the little banner at the top of the page.

[kelldor]

Yep! Good video, it shows exactly what we are up against.

I especially like the "USA, USA, USA" chanting in the background though, WOOT!