Sam On Illegals

Congressman Sam Johnson on ILLEGAL Immigration

Congressman Sam Johnson on ILLEGAL Immigration

Sunday, May 20, 2007 11:51 PM

First, the email:

Combating illegal immigration

The Senate is on the brink of passing automatic American citizenship for the estimated 11 - 12 million illegal immigrants presently living here. I call this mockery of our legal immigration program “blanket amnesty” and I think it’s just plain wrong.

In the last Congress, I co-sponsored an enforcement-first approach to illegal immigration. That initiative would hold people accountable by cracking down on employers hiring illegal workers, increase penalties for people re-entering illegally, encourage cooperation between border sheriffs and federal law enforcement, punish smugglers trafficking in human beings as well as confront the emerging problem of alien gangs. For starters, local law enforcement officials must have the power and directive from above to end the “catch-and-release” program - and turn it into “catch-and-return!”

I’m also the co-sponsor of several measures that advocate pardoning the border agents sitting in jail for doing their jobs - Agents Ramos and Compean. They’re serving 11 and 12 years respectively for “violating the rights” of an illegal immigrant who tried to smuggle over 700 pounds of drugs into America. Those serving on the front lines stemming the tide of illegal immigration want, need and deserve our full support - not jail sentences for enforcing the laws.

There are legal ways to become an American citizen and our nation was founded on legal immigration. Our nation was founded on the rule of law and enforcing the immigration laws should be priority number one.

And now, the official position: Rep Sam Johnson (R-TX, 3rd)

Sam Johnson reacts to blanket-amnesty deal for illegal immigrants

Washington, May 17 -

Today U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (3rd Dist.-Texas) criticized a new plan to grant instant American citizenship to illegal immigrants living in America, as well as their loved ones. According to the Associated Press, “A bipartisan group of senators reached agreement with the White House Thursday on an immigration overhaul to grant quick legal status to millions of illegal immigrants already in the U.S.”

“People are called ‘illegal’ immigrants for a reason – they are here illegally! Granting instant American citizenship to countless illegal immigrants is blanket amnesty, plain and simple, and I vehemently oppose it.

“This plan rewards the lawbreakers and punishes those who have patiently waited their turn to become an American citizen. I will work tirelessly to make sure that this proposal does not pass the House of Representatives.

“What am I supposed to tell my young grandchildren when they ask me why some government leaders want to encourage people to break the law?

“America tried blanket amnesty in 1986 with the caveat that it would be a one time deal. It didn’t stem the tide of illegal immigrants then and it won’t work now. If anything – the 1986 amnesty got us into this immigration quagmire. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over again and expecting different results.”