There is a new federal law on the books that shields religious groups using illegal immigrants for volunteering. As you might suspect U.S. Representative Tom Tancredo is stirring up opposition according to the Denver Post [November 15, 2005, "Tancredo blasts shield for religious groups"]. From the article, "Written by Sen. Robert Bennett, R-Utah, the provision shields religious groups from a federal law against knowingly transporting, concealing, harboring or shielding an illegal immigrant. That law no longer applies to religious groups as long as the illegal immigrant is volunteering in a religious capacity, such as work as a missionary or in a soup kitchen. Bennett, chairman of the Senate committee that funds agricultural programs, added the language to a funding bill for the Agriculture Department. It was signed into law Thursday by President Bush. 'It does not under any circumstances allow a terrorist or any illegal alien any kind of special sanctuary,' Bennett said Monday. Church volunteers who are illegal immigrants could still face legal action, he said. He said the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees immigration laws as well as terrorism issues, signed off on the language in the new law."
Here's the coverage from the Rocky Mountain News [November 15, 2005, "Law lets churches hide terrorists, Tancredo says"].
From today's Denver Post: "A group of Republican lawmakers will hold a meeting Wednesday on the impact of illegal immigrants. The meeting by the Republican Study Committee of Colorado follows a five-day trip to Arizona in October by three members of the group. They met with Arizona lawmakers and federal border officials and observed efforts by civilians who patrol the border area. Opponents of the effort blasted the group for failing to allow public comment at the meeting, which will be held at the state Capitol. 'I think the citizens of Colorado need to know what they're proposing,' said Denver immigration lawyer Donna Lipinski. Kent Lambert, a spokesman for the committee, characterized Wednesday's meeting as a caucus, not a formal hearing, and said there will be plenty of time to hear from the other side when the legislature convenes in January. Scheduled speakers include former Gov. Dick Lamm; Mark Krikorian of the Center for Immigration Studies; Dr. Madeline Cosman, a medical lawyer and author of 15 books; Yeh Ling-Ling of the Diversity Alliance for a Sustainable America; Fred Elbel of the Colorado Alliance for Immigration Reform; Rosemary Jenks of Numbers USA; and several others. The Claremont Institute is helping to sponsor the meeting."
Political Wire: "Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) 'was seen recently dining with Warren Beatty in Beverly Hills, according to one Hollywood source,' the Los Angeles Times reports. 'The actor, who played an activist role opposing Schwarzenegger's initiatives in last week's special election, is coy about whether he'll support longtime friend McCain for president, noting that he is also close with Gore and Clinton.' Meanwhile, The Fix uses this week's Newsweek cover story to note 'no potential 2008 candidate enjoys a relationship with the news media anywhere close to the one that Arizona Sen. John McCain (R) has. Dating back to his 2000 'Straight Talk' campaign, it seems like much of the press is advancing the idea that McCain is the last honest man in government.'"
Political Wire: "'President Bush's Veterans Day broadside against Senator John F. Kerry, delivered in a major speech on the war in Iraq, was greeted with quiet cheer by those in the senator's camp who are laying the groundwork for his possible run for the presidency in 2008,' the Boston Globe reports. 'By singling out Kerry as the Democrats' leading Iraq war critic, aides to the Massachusetts Democrat said, the president confirmed Kerry's continuing prominence in national politics, something the senator and his aides have fought hard to maintain.'"
Stygius: "Western Democrats take note, since Interior policies affects America's West more than anyone else. It shows that Interior Secretary Norton's deputy was thick with Abramoff."
From a reader on TalkingPointsMemo.com: "I've obviously missed something. When did it become appropriate for the Commander-in-Chief to go onto a military installation before a military crowd and denounce the opposition party? I cannot remember a time in my 21-year career when anything remotely like this happened. Is it just me or are we embarked on something very dark and dangerous for our democracy?"
Mathew Gross: "Soon-to-be-former Virginia Governor Mark Warner (or, more appropriately, Jerome Armstrong) has launched the website and blog for his Forward Together PAC, signalling his intention to seek the Democratic nomination in 2008."
Opinions You Should Have: "Shortly after televangelist Pat Robertson warned the residents of Dover, Pennsylvania that they would soon suffer the wrath of God, a giant hand descended from the heavens and smacked Roberston 'upside the head repeatedly,' witnesses said."
Here's the link (pdf) to a new strategy memo for Democrats from James Carville and Stan Greenburg.
Dan Froomkin: "President Bush on Friday launched his third presidential campaign -- this one to salvage his reputation, and what's left of his second term...Like other Bush campaigns, this one will inevitably feature the ceaseless repetition of key sound bytes -- the hope being that they will be carried, largely unchallenged, by the media -- and virulent attacks by the White House on those who dare to disagree, even going so far as to question their patriotism." Thanks to NewMexiKen for the link.
Blogs for Bush: "It is getting a little strange out there - the way the left and the MSM is reaching for things to try and work up a tall tale of Presidential deception."
Oliver Willis: "Is 'immigration reform' the 21st century version of the southern strategy?
Category: 2008 Presidential Election
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