Do you agree with U.S. Rep. John Boozman said illegals overwhelm police and courts with false identities ?

Question

LITTLE ROCK - U.S. Rep. John Boozman said Hispanic immigrants coming to northwest Arkansas overwhelm police and courts with false identities, leaving warrants unserved and cases unprosecuted.



"There's chaos involved," Boozman told The Associated Press in an interview Wednesday. "And along with that, the public is feeling they are paying for all of this."

Boozman, the sole Republican in the state's congressional delegation, said immigration reform would come only after Congress and President Bush listen to what he described as overwhelming public concern on the issue. Boozman said that he and others would view any plans to offer citizenship through fines as an amnesty that would overwhelm the nation.

"Now, does that make them criminal in the sense of being violent crimes and stuff like that? No, they're up here playing the system as best they can to feed their families back home or their families here," Boozman said. "There's no difference in these people if they have a green card or if they don't as far as the person's work ethic and stuff like that ... but there is a limit of how much the country can absorb."

Boozman's district is in northwest Arkansas, home to poultry plants and other jobs attracting immigrants from Mexico and Latin America. Census estimates show Arkansas has more than 141,000 Hispanic residents, as recent studies conclude about half of the state's immigrant population lives in the United States illegally.

Boozman said those illegal immigrants overwhelm police by offering false identities. The problem has made Social Security numbers and birth certificates marketable goods, he said.

"It is a problem. It is a problem now for no other reason than public perception," Boozman said. "The public feels like we're a nation of laws and there's so many little things, the DUIs, the knowledge that someone is working on an assembly line next to an individual who decides to go back home and they sell their identity to a friend."

In Rogers, which absorbed many of the state's Hispanic immigrants, officers have seen dramatic increases in the number of tickets issued for drivers not having licenses. Police Chief Steve Helms said of 1,443 tickets issued last year, 1,224 went to Hispanic drivers, as whites accounted for 193 and blacks received 17.

"It kind of goes into that perception ... that whatever identification they provide or whatever name they provide, it is really difficult to confirm that's who that individual actually is," Helms said.

Boozman said the influx of Hispanic workers also affects schools, where children of Hispanic immigrants speak what he called "jive Spanish" and need remedial help in their own language before learning English. Boozman also wondered what effect Hispanic immigrants would have on Medicare as they age.

"You're not going to be a roofer until you're 65 years old, working 16-hour days," Boozman said. "We'll pay disability for people who have carpal tunnel syndrome and can't work. Many of those people will become disabled. They'll become unemployable because we can't retrain them" because their level of education is too low.

Boozman acknowledged the need for some sort of visa system for visiting immigrant laborers. He said the system doesn't need to "necessarily lead to citizenship," as many want to return home after saving money. However, he said the increased focus on border security after the Sept. 11 terror attacks caused "unintended things to happen" _ like many immigrants to stay in the U.S. with their families as opposed to crossing the border regularly.

"It does need to be thought through," Boozman said. "The Senate bill just went very, very rapidly and basically they were trying to cram it down our throat."

http://www.pbcommercial.com/articles/2007/08/15/ap-state-ar/d8r1ogbg0.txt

Answer 1

Yes, I do. It has allowed very serious criminals to get away with murder and many other crimes. I wish we would just get this deportation issue going and that alone would solve soooooooo many of this countries problems. The legal immigrants that are here should protect themselves and made sure that their papers are in proper order so they will have no problems. The illegals should collect what they want to take with them and go back home and apply to enter our country legally. And the rest should be prepared, there are many people who can pick up a telephone and notify authorities of their whereabouts. I'm sorry if this seems harsh to some, but we have and out of control problem that needs to be fixed.

Answer 2

Yes employers should call the police right on the spot! The employer is no way at fault! That would be like saying, I watched someone robbing a bank, but since I called the police on the bank robbers, I am guilty of a crime, what bullshit! All employers should turn in and hold for ICE or the police, if they are suspected to be illegal, and especially if suspicion of identity theft. She should have been severely punished and then deported, her 19 year old daughter should be hunted down and deported, just like every other illegal. These jesters of lawyers are really grasping at straws now. There is not a low point that the pro's and illegals will not hit, is there!

Answer 3

I think it is time that we have a national ID, just like the technology the Mexican government uses to identity their voters. It would be a tramper proof, picture, with finger prints and a hologram to keep it from being copied. For those that object, I can not see why, being their are very few place that one can go from airports, hospital, court houses that do not have to prove who I am, so should we all not have the same type of proof. It is amazing that Mexico a third world has used technology to unsure that only eligible voters can vote, and we can not keep their nationals from not only accessing things that they are not entitled to, but using false or stolen documents. So once again it is the will not the way

Answer 4

I agree. That Mr. Boozman should run for President. I would vote for him. He's right. The government is trying to cram those illegal aliens down our throats.

Answer 5

Good call=

Answer 6

How could you DISAGREE? These are real problems that need real solutions. Fred Thompson, PLEASE announce your candidacy.

Answer 7

Yep, sure do.