Several reports contradict claim by CNN's Sylvester that DREAM sponsors "held a news conference ... with illegal alien[s]"
SUMMARY: During a report on the DREAM Act, a measure proposed by Sen. Dick Durbin that
would have provided permanent resident status to a select group of undocumented
immigrants, CNN's Lisa Sylvester reported that the bill's sponsors "held a news
conference in the Capitol with illegal alien college students who'd benefit from
the program," and that "[o]pponents demanded federal immigration officials
detain the illegal aliens." However, several media outlets have reported that
the three students featured at the press conference all have temporary legal
status.
On the October 23 edition of CNN's Lou Dobbs Tonight, while reporting on the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act, which would have provided Legal Permanent Resident status to immigrants who arrived in the United States before age 16, graduate from a U.S. high school, and either serve in the military or attend college for at least two years, correspondent Lisa Sylvester claimed that, earlier that day, the bill's sponsors had "held a news conference in the Capitol with illegal alien college students who'd benefit from the program." Sylvester continued, "But that may have backfired. Opponents demanded federal immigration officials detain the illegal aliens." Sylvester then highlighted comments by Republican presidential candidate Rep. Tom Tancredo (CO), who issued a press release "call[ing] on the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency to detain any illegal aliens at this press conference," and anti-illegal immigration activist Rosemary Jenks, who stated: "You know, if the U.S. Capitol is a sanctuary, why shouldn't everyone come in illegally?" In concluding her report, Sylvester noted that "[n]one of the students was detained."
In contrast with the assertion on Dobbs that the students are "illegal alien[s]," ABC News investigated the status of the students attending the event and, on October 24, reported on its website:
[One of the students, Manuel] Bartsch was born in Germany but was raised by his step-grandparents in the United States. He said he'd tried to take a college entrance exam but didn't have a Social Security number. Bartsch's step-grandfather hadn't completed the proper paperwork, and Bartsch didn't become a U.S. citizen. This began a years-long bureaucratic odyssey for Bartsch, who is now a junior in college. Along the way, he'd been placed in detention by immigration authorities for 16 days. Ultimately, due to the intervention of Ohio Republican Rep. Paul Gillmor, Bartsch was awarded permanent resident status by the Department of Homeland Security.
[...]
Bartsch was joined at the event today by two other students, who could benefit from the DREAM Act. Tam Tran, whose Vietnamese parents came to the United States illegally from Germany, has lived in the here since she was 10. Tran is a UCLA graduate who wants to pursue a doctorate at the University of Southern California but can't because she needs federal student loans. The government can't deport her family to Vietnam because her father was persecuted by the communist government there, and ... Germany won't take them back either. Tran said today she is in "permanent legal limbo."
[...]
All this means little to Marie Gonzalez, the third student to appear with Durbin today. She has lived in Missouri since she was 5 -- her parents were deported to Costa Rica in 2005 -- and she will be deported too in June 2008, when a temporary Homeland Security waiver of action against her expires. Gonzalez said today she'll be 18 hours away from graduation at Westminster College in Fulton, Mo., when she officially becomes illegal again.
In an October 23 entry on the Politico's The Crypt blog, staff writer Martin Kady II reported that the three students who appeared at the press conference "have been given temporary extensions that allow them to stay in the country":
The three students were Tam Tran, a 24-year old Vietnamese graduate student; Marie Gonzalez, a 21-year old Costa Rican college student; and Manuel Bartsch, a college sophomore from Germany. All three young adults, who were introduced at a Capitol press conference, have been in the United States for years, but their parents entered the country illegally. All three of them have faced legal hurdles and potential deportation, but have been given temporary extensions that allow them to stay in the country.
Sen. Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.), who sponsored the Dream Act, said he found it "absolutely stunning" that a member of Congress would call on college students to be arrested at a press conference.
"Their status has been publicly known by federal agencies," Durbin said. "What does it say about America that a member of Congress would call on these young people to be arrested? I don't think they should be arrested. They should be given a chance."
Democratic aides say they were careful in vetting each student so that neither they nor their families would be hurt by the publicity, since their long-term legal status as U.S. residents is in question.
"It's always a concern," said Tim Vettel, a spokesman for the American Immigration Law Foundation, which is pushing the Dream Act. "We often get calls from the media asking us to connect them with illegal immigrants, but this is always a concern."
Using children of undocumented immigrants, even college students, as press conference props is sure to inflame the already tense debate over immigration.
"Their strategy du jour is using sympathetic cases to push policy," said one Senate GOP aide. "They appear to be the most optimal illegal aliens the Dems could find."
All of the showcased students have encountered legal troubles. Tran, a UCLA graduate, has not been given long-term permission to stay in the country; Gonzalez's parents have been deported; and Bartsch, an Ohio college student, was arrested in 2005 by federal immigration authorities but has been granted a temporary permission to remain in the country.
An October 24 USA Today article also reported that the three students have received some form of temporary legal status:
Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., issued a news release calling for immigration officials to arrest the three students who appeared with Durbin at his news conference.
All three students have legal status. Manuel Bartsch, a college freshman from Ohio, and Marie Gonzalez, a college junior from Missouri, both had deportation orders postponed because of the intervention of members of Congress. Tam Tran, a recent UCLA graduate, had her deportation stayed because Germany, the country where she was born after her parents fled Vietnam, refused to accept the family back.
Additionally, at the beginning of the segment, host Lou Dobbs said: "Now, Democratic lawmakers are trying once again, one bill at a time, trying to subvert the will of the people who expressed themselves about as clearly as can be expressed this past June. This time, these legislators are calling it the DREAM Act." Neither Dobbs nor Sylvester noted that the legislation was also co-sponsored by Republican Sens. Chuck Hagel (NE) and Richard Lugar (IN).
On October 24, supporters of the DREAM Act failed to get the 60 votes needed to advance the legislation. The cloture vote was rejected 52-44.
From the October 23 edition of CNN's Lou Dobbs Tonight:
DOBBS: The United States Senate is at it again -- Sen. Harry Reid demonstrating why he should be leader of the Democratic Party on Capitol Hill.
The Senate today starting debate on a proposal that amounts to amnesty for millions of illegal aliens. You thought this issue had been resolved? Well, not so.
The new legislation is part of the failed so-called "grand compromise" Immigration Reform Act. Now, Democratic lawmakers are trying once again, one bill at a time, trying to subvert the will of the people who expressed themselves about as clearly as can be expressed this past June. This time, these legislators are calling it the DREAM Act.
As Lisa Sylvester reports, the DREAM Act awards citizenship to illegal aliens if they go to college or join the military.
[begin video clip]
SYLVESTER: Led by Senator Dick Durbin, the DREAM Act has been reawakened. The plan that could provide conditional legal status for more than a million illegal aliens was part of a comprehensive immigration bill that failed this summer. The Illinois Democrat is hoping a limited version he is now pushing forward will attract more votes.
SEN. RICHARD DURBIN (D-IL): We're dealing with young people brought to the United States by their parents, some of them as toddlers, who've grown up here and know no other country.
SYLVESTER: The bill would grant amnesty to illegal aliens up to 30 years old, who entered the United States before age 16 and have lived in the country for at least five years. They would be eligible for college federal student loans and work-study programs.
And if they stay in college or join the military for two years, they would be put on a path to citizenship. Republican Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama estimates that 1.3 million young people could take advantage of the program, but calls it a back-door amnesty for millions more.
SESSIONS: That if a person is legalized under this process, they can bring their wife and children and legalize them. They can bring their parents and brothers and sisters. So, the 1.3 million, which is quite a large number, is a really low figure. It'd be much more than that.
SYLVESTER: Sponsors of the DREAM Act need 60 votes to get the bill through. To gain more supporters, they held a news conference in the Capitol with illegal alien college students who'd benefit from the program. But that may have backfired. Opponents demanded federal immigration officials detain the illegal aliens.
ROSEMARY JENKS (lobbyist, NumbersUSA): Just the idea of bringing illegal aliens into the U.S. Capitol. You know, if the U.S. Capitol is a sanctuary, why shouldn't everyone come in illegally?
SYLVESTER: Congressman Tom Tancredo, a Colorado Republican running for president, echoed that sentiment, saying, quote, "If we can't enforce our laws inside the building where American laws are made, where can we enforce them?"
[end video clip]
SYLVESTER: None of the students was detained.
Now, on the DREAM Act, a vote is scheduled for tomorrow morning. Supporters need 60 votes to move it forward. They estimate right now that they have about 55 votes or so, but they are lobbying hard to pick up additional votes in the coming hours -- Lou.
DOBBS: So, at this point, it looks like the cloture vote will succeed or fail?
SYLVESTER: At this point, it's a little too close to call. I mean, they are estimating that they have about 55 votes or so. If they can pick up five additional votes, it will go through. And either side says it could go either way. So, for instance, Senator Jeff Sessions is urging people to call their members of Congress.
DOBBS: Call their members of Congress and whichever way you feel about this, let your U.S. senator know exactly what you think of this utter nonsense.
This is a clear effort on the part of the Democratic leadership and that brilliant leader, Senator Harry Reid, to subvert, again, the will of the American people, to disregard the interests of the American people and American citizens, and to pander, to pander to the socio-ethnocentric interest groups in this country, corporate America -- and, believe me, this battle is going to continue.
And if the American people flag in their both interest in the subject and their vigilance over these -- the Democratic leadership in both the Senate and the House, they're going to have their way, and the will of the majority is going to be disregarded again by what the Democratic leadership and the Senate wants to call a progressive approach. Absolutely absurd.
Lisa, thank you very much. Lisa Sylvester reporting from Washington, as you will be for some time to come on this issue, I'm afraid, Lisa. Thank you.
Yeah, I read all about this yesterday. Tancredo is a total @ss for using a slimeball tactic to try to undermine a legit conference. But that's what republicans these day do, they claim dem's can't win on the issues and then proceed to use deflection to keep the focus off of the issues. And 1/3 of our country think that's a great way to become president.
I'm tired of this paranoia about illegal immigrants, all they do is pick up our tomatoes and lettuce, mow our public places' lawn, clean our work places' restrooms, build our schools and homes, be our kids nannies, cook and serve at our favorite restaurants, etc, because WE don't want to do those jobs. (this is THE only thing I'd agree with Bush).
Yew soun lak wunna them thar furrners.
The construction industry is one business that could probably use more immigration status checks. Those are actually decent jobs that Americans do want.
Frankly, existing laws should be enforced. But undocumenteds shouldn't be demonized as the regressives are constantly doing. They're just trying to get by like the rest of us. But there's no real desire for immigration reform in this country. Progressives don't hate undocumented immigrants like the fringe right does. And regressives lobbiests don't want reform because they depend on the cheap labor.
Frankly, if someone were to snap his or her fingers and make the illegal immigration problem go away tomorrow, not only could you not get a decent meal in most towns, but the cost of living would go up dramatically. Heck, I already heard an interview with a lettuce grower who can't get his crops picked because of the current crackdown. If his crops rot in the field, your hamburger is gonna go up in price.
schools are the biggest part of any local government and states like california have a huge burden, especially when immigrants tend to have more children per capita. farmers are also turning to greenhouse farming in states like florida, which is less labor intensive. if we have to have a guest worker program for agriculture, that is far better than the present system.
this is an article about hydroponic farming, which mentions it being less labor intensive. initial startup is high but there are bigger yields and less pesticides needed.
http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-55386326.html
I agree we need some worker program. Part of the problem people are failling to understand it the balance of immigrants as it relates to skills. Yes we do need immigration, fact. But a balance of skilled and non-skilled is what we need as well. As it stands, the number of unskilled workers is huge in comparrison to educated/skilled. People always say, "Jobs Americans Wont Do"..... Since when I ask? Fast Food was always a job highschool kids took on. Carpentry, truck driving. Hell, city workers. People need to wake up.
i don't think we need immigration as much as claimed, and you just offered a lot of the reasons why. immigration is increasing our population by leaps and bounds. we're adding over three million people a year. do the math on that. and immigration, and the higher birth rates of immigrants in this country, are the major reason for that increase. ask anyone who lives in los angeles, my niece goes to college there, the "rush hour" traffic is day long and into the night. an increasing population also drives up real estate. ask the people in new york who can no longer afford to live there. it's not as simple as labor costs.
"Jobs Americans wont do"......
Brought to you by a greddy agenda!
greddy agenda
Could someone please translate the above comment into coherence? I left my "Ignorant Ass to English" dictionary in my other suit.
Are they "smellier than stinky tofu" too?
I don't think all 10 or 15 or twenty million of them are picking your lettuce.
Some of them are selling your kids drugs, robbing your convenience stores,
and going to hospitals to give birth to new citizens!!!!!!!
That does not matter to those with big hearts.
Says one with a small brain.
The thing you have to always remember about the so called "illegal alien" business is most of these people pay taxes and social security. They can't collect on the social security and the government is well aware of this and they are taking advantage of the poor that come here to work. As tax payers they deserve some limited rights. Yet the party that stands for "value voter issues" turns this into more hate mongering. That party can never come up with sensible solutions to anything. If they had a simple solution, they would have one less enemy and problem, but they don't want to lose that.
They pay taxes but claim 12 dependents. Wow, claiming 12 dependents on a yearly wage of 18k is a whole lot taxes.. Kinda like Bush's tax cut from a few years back. A wopping $300 bones.
Do you never tire of displaying nothing but abject ignorance?
I am an American, I love this place. It's too wonderful a country to keep struggling souls out.
I don't give a damn about skin color, education or native tongue. If people want in, that's fine by me. This is the land of the free and it should be freely shared.
If we want to relish the benefits of a global economy we damn well better be prepared to absorb the displaced masses created by that economy. We can bicker all day and night about the strains on infrastructure and environment that come with an influx of humanity, but that curves the desire to be an American not one whit. We'd be better served (and better servants) if we contemplated ways to create a sustainable energy infrastructure, viable mass transit and equal access to healthcare.
By all means rail on, call me naive. Call me names if you wish but you will not change my mind. I'm a humanitarian and I love my brother. I am my brother's keeper.
so 2 billion people who want to come here is no problem?
Why? Are you afraid you won't be first any more?
that's not an answer. do you care to give one? or just ignore it because you don't want to deal with the implications of your answer?
Hey Solon--Ok possibly your correct--OK you want real illegals- I'll give them to you , how many you want?what's the point? If you have illegals here should they go or stay--Should your tax dollars goto paying their hospital costs ,education in public schools,retirement homes ,medicare( you know te systems set up for legal immagrints and U.S citizens) you also have to start questioning how there here and on what stsatus?
According to you we are a pathetic weak country that has a useless culture and worthless language that will be discarded casually. You have no faith in your country and all the paranoid rants about being overrun by immigrants are pathetic and shameful - not at all the type of thing you would expect to hear from a great nation.
Nope we are too lame to have a rational and humanitarian policy on immigration that will allow us to know and control who gets in and give those already here a chance to participate fully in our society. No, to you we are INCAPABLE of actually working together with all interested parties democratically to find a way that will protect our borders, help our neighbor to the south and have our labor needs met. No no no, instead we will fall for populust demagogary that distracts fromt the real needs of our people and react emotionally to overblown threats.
Sorry trolls - GROW UP- these kids are not here by their choice. Their parents brought them here. They are succeeding in school. They are not going to break into your house and talk your family into giving up speaking English.
And forget about the strawman that having a rational and humanitarian policy means open borders bla bla bla. The poisonous discourse over this issue is the problem. The media fails us here. Yea I know it makes you feel good to play the victim role but actually solving the problem will require something more rational in the way of discussion.
What is the POINT? Did you perhaps READ THE ARTICLE? You know the TOPIC? The point is that LISA SYLVESTER LIED. She reported that the press conference was held with illegal immigrants. It wasnt. THAT is the point.
Hey you know their is no reason for legal immigration..... All the policies set to insure that the immigrants that are coming in are here to enjoy the american dream, and not destroy the american dream, are worthless measures. I think you should open up your home with under the same principles, your private property right are designed to keep a variety of abuses from happening to you. If i am amusing correctly, you would open up your homes to illegal immigrants and supply their health care, and all their needs. Now we will take it to the existing level of abuse. Illegal immigrant enter you house illegally and use your health care you pay for by working, and then the politicans say sorry about you, we need the votes, and oh by the way we the politicans need to raise your property taxes to pay for the schooling of the illegals you our harbering, unwilling.
I am so sick of this "illegal" immigrant issue. I have friends who are constantly sending me emails or links to Lou Dobbs. These people who are here illegally or are undocumented pay taxes and social security on the earnings and contrary to what Dobbs and the rest want to scare you they do NOT get this money back and they do NOT file tax forms with 12 dependants and they are NOT getting social security or welfare. The US Government has said over and over again that the money that is paid into these illegal social security numbers is NOT given back but is used by the US government. SO finally would someone stop spreading that. There should be a way for children who were born or brought here to gain legal status. If they join the military, like many do, they should automatically get legal status and be able to get citizenship. I am ashamed that Rep. Tancredo is in Congress representing decent Americans. He is a disgrace.
This is not a hard issue guys. First i am an immigrant but i had enough respect for this country to knock on the door and ask permission to come in and if you can not at least respect this country like that you have no or little concern for its well being. There is a need for labor pools to work but there are laws for that, offering work visas. We still have not controlled the boarders, so we can not handle the other issues. "stop the bleeding first then fix the cut". The great thing about all this is that all of the sides want part of the american dream or the benefits of it. Stop fighting with each other so we can fix it. For those that just work here for money to send to there country, give them a work visa and control them like that, but the main issue is those that have made this there home and raised familys "Thats the issue." Let us find out first how many famillys we really have here first then we can tackle it. They need to learn engish like my parents did except the very old people it would be hard for them. We need to know for there security and ours who is here first then tackle the issues. i hope we are all smarter then our Goverment who seems to be all idiots. One of my buds in the marines had parents illigal yet he was true blue so i think we need to take a deep look at how to fix it smartly.
I guess when it comes to immigration these so called 'liberals' posting here are as racists as the right wingers, no difference.
I agree to an extent. The rhetoric of hatespeech seduces people of all political stripes.
Hate speech is sometimes subtle and can express itself in terms of liberal morality.
The only way to neutralize the corrosive effects of hate speech is to see the common humanity of all people; to see yourself in the other.
and then there are the people who see any questions raised about immigration as racist.
the late senator gaylord nelson of wisconsin was the father of earth day as we know it. this link concerns him:
"later that year [1998], in a washington d.c. press conference, nelson bristled at the idea that what really motivates attempts to limit immigration is racism. he said that such accusations only served to silence a debate that was long overdue."
http://www.cis.org/articles/2001/forsaking/turning.html