Printed on 6/5/08
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Illegal Immigration
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I would like to talk about my perspective and responsibilities as your state legislator. As you know, I am a Republican. In 2004, I was elected by 85% of the voters. I do not vote with the majority of my party on every issue, but I am expected to generally uphold these ideals. Three of these ideals are individual responsibility, a respect for the law, and the belief that individuals should take on the primary burden of providing for the poor and the needy, not our government. But this does not mean that our government should turn a blind eye to those in need or refuse to act on their behalf. In fact, right now our state government spends about 30 % of its budget on Medicare and other services related to social needs. It is my responsibility as a legislator to make sure that our tax money is spent efficiently and wisely.
I was elected to first protect and serve the interests and needs of the citizens of Loveland, and the rest of Colorado. To use the analogy of the family, people are legally expected to provide for themselves and their own family first, before reaching out to their neighbor through taxation. We need to keep in mind that taxation is a "legal process of taking from other people's earnings." I believe that people should serve others from a position of strength.
As much as we would like to provide for the needs of all people from other nations who want to live here, we cannot. There are about 4 billion people in the world out of the 6.2 billion, that are under non-democratic republic forms of government. Most these people unfortunately live liven poverty and disease. I strongly encourage citizens of our blessed United States to go to other countries to help them out, to teach them about our way of life, and tell them of the "saving grace of God." In fact, I personally give money and my prayers to many people that are now doing so.
Unrestrained (illegal) immigration is tearing away at our infrastructure and seriously depleting our resources. Many people are not aware that about 1/3 of the people coming across our southern border illegally are OTM's (other than Mexicans). In other words, there are many people from countries from all over the world entering our country illegally. Too many of these people are coming for criminal purposes. In Tucson, AZ, last year, according to the Border Patrol, 438,000 illegal immigrants were arrested. From that amount, 33,000 were already on the FBI's wanted list for committing previous crimes which did not include illegal immigration as one of the crimes. This is 7.5%!
In Phoenix last year, 57,000 cars were stolen. I was told that 80% of the violent crimes in Arizona were committed by illegal aliens. Arizona has 5,000 illegal aliens in their state prison system at a cost of about $28,000 each. Colorado has about 1,600 "illegal aliens" in it's state prison system at a cost of $28,000 each. The average inmate has 7 felonies, with almost all of these charges reduced from a more serious felony to keep our courts from getting clogged up. Almost all of these criminals have public defenders. We must consider the victims left behind from the crimes committed directly and indirectly. About 95% of the inmates are released from prison and about 52% of them return within 3 years. Think of the cost to our society! Please keep in mind that I am talking about ILLEGAL immigrants committing crimes, not legal immigrants!!!
We are a nation at war against terrorism. How many of the 3 million (Time Magazine, October of 2004) illegal immigrants per year are terrorists? No one knows. There have been people arrested from Arab countries that came across our southern border illegally. I hope and pray that a biological, chemical or nuclear device is never detonated in one of our major cities from a person that entered our country illegally.
There are many who say that we could cease to exist as a nation if we do not somehow stop the flood of new illegal immigrants at the massive amount of 3 million a year. That may seem like an extreme statement, but there is research to back it up. On my Web site you can access examples, such as those included in a speech by former Governor and Democrat Dick Lamm - www.jimwelker.com.
So how can we help the people who want to remain in Mexico, but have fled to our country instead? In a recent guest editorial to the Reporter-Herald, I said that it might be time to increase the green cards and visas issued to those who want to enter our country legally. As I described in the article, the consequences to those who enter this country without that protection can be tragic. There are hundreds of illegal immigrants dying in deserts near the border. Women are raped. Money is stolen. As you also mentioned, his new and desperate pool of workers are often taken advantage of by unscrupulous and greedy American employers.
I agree that we need to pressure the Mexican government to make appropriate reforms in their own economy and culture. For example, in a recent online communication to some of my constituents, I talked about the need for their government to encourage the growth of small business by streamlining regulations. What ideas do you have, or have you read, to bring stability to the Mexican government? We must try to do what we can, but I wonder if their government is likely to be responsive to any attempts to influence them.
The Mexican government has issued booklets instructing their citizens on how to get across the border, and send money back to any loved ones left behind. This American money amounts to $16 billion annually, the second largest part of the Mexican economy. In Mexico, according to the Forbes Magazine, it takes 110 days to start a small business. In the United States, it takes only 5 days on the average to start a small business. Since about 60% of Americans work for small businesses and 70% of the new jobs are created by small business, it is important for Mexico to change their laws to allow more businesses to be opened up with out government regulations.
You mentioned that you have met hundreds of members of documented and undocumented immigrants. You communicated that they are between a "rock and a hard place," wanting to return to their home while struggling to survive in a culture which is often hostile to them, while also often taking advantage of them. Do you work for a government agency, or are you aligned with a privately-based outreach? Please share with me any specific recommendations that you and your associates have on how to ease their plight.
I believe that private organizations made up of concerned citizens such as you and I offer the most hope to meet the needs of others. There may be many fine church groups and organizations that are doing their best to reach out to Mexican nationals on both sides of the border who are in need. I agree that their plight is heartbreaking. There are no clear or easy solutions.
In my role as legislator, how can I best address this issue? I have been spending hundreds of hours in research and discussion studying various perspectives and working to answer that question. Would you send me a list of the books and copies of articles that you have found most helpful? I would like to review them. If you would like to meet for further discussion, or would like to introduce me to someone else with additional valuable information and insight, please let me know.
Respectfully,
Rep. Jim Welker (R-51)
Loveland
I was elected to first protect and serve the interests and needs of the citizens of Loveland, and the rest of Colorado. To use the analogy of the family, people are legally expected to provide for themselves and their own family first, before reaching out to their neighbor through taxation. We need to keep in mind that taxation is a "legal process of taking from other people's earnings." I believe that people should serve others from a position of strength.
As much as we would like to provide for the needs of all people from other nations who want to live here, we cannot. There are about 4 billion people in the world out of the 6.2 billion, that are under non-democratic republic forms of government. Most these people unfortunately live liven poverty and disease. I strongly encourage citizens of our blessed United States to go to other countries to help them out, to teach them about our way of life, and tell them of the "saving grace of God." In fact, I personally give money and my prayers to many people that are now doing so.
Unrestrained (illegal) immigration is tearing away at our infrastructure and seriously depleting our resources. Many people are not aware that about 1/3 of the people coming across our southern border illegally are OTM's (other than Mexicans). In other words, there are many people from countries from all over the world entering our country illegally. Too many of these people are coming for criminal purposes. In Tucson, AZ, last year, according to the Border Patrol, 438,000 illegal immigrants were arrested. From that amount, 33,000 were already on the FBI's wanted list for committing previous crimes which did not include illegal immigration as one of the crimes. This is 7.5%!
In Phoenix last year, 57,000 cars were stolen. I was told that 80% of the violent crimes in Arizona were committed by illegal aliens. Arizona has 5,000 illegal aliens in their state prison system at a cost of about $28,000 each. Colorado has about 1,600 "illegal aliens" in it's state prison system at a cost of $28,000 each. The average inmate has 7 felonies, with almost all of these charges reduced from a more serious felony to keep our courts from getting clogged up. Almost all of these criminals have public defenders. We must consider the victims left behind from the crimes committed directly and indirectly. About 95% of the inmates are released from prison and about 52% of them return within 3 years. Think of the cost to our society! Please keep in mind that I am talking about ILLEGAL immigrants committing crimes, not legal immigrants!!!
We are a nation at war against terrorism. How many of the 3 million (Time Magazine, October of 2004) illegal immigrants per year are terrorists? No one knows. There have been people arrested from Arab countries that came across our southern border illegally. I hope and pray that a biological, chemical or nuclear device is never detonated in one of our major cities from a person that entered our country illegally.
There are many who say that we could cease to exist as a nation if we do not somehow stop the flood of new illegal immigrants at the massive amount of 3 million a year. That may seem like an extreme statement, but there is research to back it up. On my Web site you can access examples, such as those included in a speech by former Governor and Democrat Dick Lamm - www.jimwelker.com.
So how can we help the people who want to remain in Mexico, but have fled to our country instead? In a recent guest editorial to the Reporter-Herald, I said that it might be time to increase the green cards and visas issued to those who want to enter our country legally. As I described in the article, the consequences to those who enter this country without that protection can be tragic. There are hundreds of illegal immigrants dying in deserts near the border. Women are raped. Money is stolen. As you also mentioned, his new and desperate pool of workers are often taken advantage of by unscrupulous and greedy American employers.
I agree that we need to pressure the Mexican government to make appropriate reforms in their own economy and culture. For example, in a recent online communication to some of my constituents, I talked about the need for their government to encourage the growth of small business by streamlining regulations. What ideas do you have, or have you read, to bring stability to the Mexican government? We must try to do what we can, but I wonder if their government is likely to be responsive to any attempts to influence them.
The Mexican government has issued booklets instructing their citizens on how to get across the border, and send money back to any loved ones left behind. This American money amounts to $16 billion annually, the second largest part of the Mexican economy. In Mexico, according to the Forbes Magazine, it takes 110 days to start a small business. In the United States, it takes only 5 days on the average to start a small business. Since about 60% of Americans work for small businesses and 70% of the new jobs are created by small business, it is important for Mexico to change their laws to allow more businesses to be opened up with out government regulations.
You mentioned that you have met hundreds of members of documented and undocumented immigrants. You communicated that they are between a "rock and a hard place," wanting to return to their home while struggling to survive in a culture which is often hostile to them, while also often taking advantage of them. Do you work for a government agency, or are you aligned with a privately-based outreach? Please share with me any specific recommendations that you and your associates have on how to ease their plight.
I believe that private organizations made up of concerned citizens such as you and I offer the most hope to meet the needs of others. There may be many fine church groups and organizations that are doing their best to reach out to Mexican nationals on both sides of the border who are in need. I agree that their plight is heartbreaking. There are no clear or easy solutions.
In my role as legislator, how can I best address this issue? I have been spending hundreds of hours in research and discussion studying various perspectives and working to answer that question. Would you send me a list of the books and copies of articles that you have found most helpful? I would like to review them. If you would like to meet for further discussion, or would like to introduce me to someone else with additional valuable information and insight, please let me know.
Respectfully,
Rep. Jim Welker (R-51)
Loveland
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