Congressional Immigraton Reform Caucus
Delivers Troops to the Border Petition to White House; Honors Family of Slain National Park Service Ranger on U.S.-Mexico Border and Father of 9-11 Victim
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Tom Tancredo (R-CO), Chairman of the Congressional Immigration Reform Caucus (CIRC), and several CIRC Members said the "time is right to call for the deployment of military assets on the border in order to protect our national security interests" during a press conference on Capitol Hill today to demand greater security on the U.S. border. Specifically, the CIRC delivered approximately 30 thousand petitions to the White House urging the President to implement the use of the U.S. military, as an interim step, to augment the federal agencies presently engaged in border security.
"Last night the President articulated a clear and present danger to the United States posed by Saddam Hussein," said Tancredo. "As long as our borders remain undefended, we cannot claim that we are doing everything possible to protect the nation. The number of violent encounters along our border is increasing, creating a need for immediate action on the part of our government and the government of Mexico and Canada. It’s time to authorize the deployment of employ military assets on our borders."
Rep. Tancredo and U.S. Representative Peter Hoekstra (R-MI) began the press conference by introducing the family of slain National Park Service Law Enforcement Ranger Kristopher Eggle, who was shot and killed while assisting U.S. Border Patrol agents on the U.S./Mexico border. In addition, Peter Gadiel, father of 9-11 victim, James Gadiel, and Bill King, U.S. Border Patrol (Ret.), spoke on the importance of enhancing U.S. border security.
"The death of Kris Eggle is a tragedy that should never have happened," said Hoekstra (R-MI) "My heart goes out to his family, and I commend them for their commitment to improving border security in his memory. Kris’ loss serves to remind us that our borders are a potential weak point that must be addressed, not only to stem the flow of drugs, but for our long-term national security. Congress must work to ensure our borders are secured, and that the people we ask to guard them have our support, and the resources, to do the job."
In a joint letter to the President, the CIRC called on the Bush Administration to use its existing authority to deploy the U.S. military to help protect America’s borders. In addition, Members of the Caucus also sent a letter to President Bush asking him to direct the FBI and Justice Department, as well as INS, to cooperate fully with state and local law enforcement in order to detain illegal aliens. Specifically, the CIRC requested the empowerment of federal officers to protect themselves and safeguard the U.S. border. Existing border crossings by Mexican nationals, Mexican army and police officials, and other illegal entrants have involved Mexicans shooting at Americans. The CIRC strongly urged the President today to conduct a full-scale investigation of this outrageous situation on the U.S. border, and ask that American agents be sufficiently armed and authorized to defend themselves. Lastly, the CIRC are committed to passing legislative provisions in the FY03 appropriations that would broaden the President’s ability to use the military beyond its current limits.
"We are extremely concerned about the porousness of both our northern and southern borders," said Rep. Jim Ramstad (R-MN), an active CIRC Member, "And it is particularly disturbing that Canada and Mexico are still not adequately screening immigrant and cargo traffic in and out of their countries."
According to a recent study conducted by the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS), more than 700,000 illegal immigrants enter the U.S. per year – resulting in 1,918 per day, 80 per hour and more than 1 per minute. In other words, since the September 11, 2001 attack, 943,656 or almost 1 million people have entered the U.S. illegally.
QUOTES BY SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKERS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
"The Mexico-American border is in chaos and is virtually a non-border," said Bob Eggle, Retired Army Captain of Infantry and father of Kristopher Eggle. "I have been involved there as a volunteer for the National Park Service and attempted to repair the border fence, only to have it knocked down again a couple of hours later. That non-border contributed to Kris’ death. We need a much more identifiable border and common-sense reform to control immigration north. After September 11th we all need to be concerned about border security and how easy it is to get in this country. Kris death needs to bring about reform, we have to make his sacrifice meaningful."
"I approach this whole situation as a mother," said Bonnie Eggle, mother of Kristopher Eggle. "I want other parents to know that these are things that can happen to your children. Our son took a bullet that he did not have to if we had secure borders. I want people to know about my son, about who he was and who he could’ve been. I’m grateful for Pete Hoekstra and Tom Tancredo for pursuing this on Kris’ behalf."
"I want to address border security as it relates to using our military, specifically the National Guard, to augment border security," David Eggle, Retired Army Colonel and uncle of Kristopher Eggle. "The family has been assured that immediate changes in managing and organization have occurred that will meet minimum safety needs at Organ Pipe. I hope the government in its long-term view will look at the situation and consider integrating the military into its long-term security posture."
"The ocean of illegal immigrants provided the concealment for the 9-11 terrorists," said Peter Gadiel, father of 9-11 victim, James Gadiel. "When you have 8 to 11 million illegal immigrants living here in the U.S, it’s hard to notice 18 or 20 terrorists. Most importantly, illegal immigrants have created a pathway or method of living and surviving in America who possess legitimate visas, driver’s licenses, which creates an atmosphere that no one really cares about their illegal status. I am here because I care. I am here because of my son, and the thousand of those who died needlessly in terrorist attacks. I want something worth while that creates long term change in our immigration policy to be made in the memory of those who perished on 9-11."
"For 45 years I’ve been a constant observer of America’s immigration problem and I’m deeply concerned that Congress and the last several Administrations have consistently ignored the negative impact on this country caused by illegal immigration," said Bill King, Chief Patrol Agent, U.S. Border Patrol (Ret.) "I’m here today to relay the concern of most retired border patrol managers and deliver our petition to President Bush to put troops on the border. U.S. border patrol agents are fighting this fight all on their own and need their President’s help."
Posted by Suzanne at October 9, 2002