The Clock Is Ticking on Amnesty Passage

Immigration reformers are taking heart from predictions that the Bush Administration and other amnesty advocates have only a limited time to pass legalization of 10 million or more illegal aliens. Time magazine observed (3/12/07) that "Bush has his last chance" to pass amnesty this year before presidential campaigning makes passage of amnesty virtually impossible.

Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) has urged Bush pressure Republicans to back amnesty. "We're going to need Republican votes," said Reid. "But," observed Time, "power is sluicing out of the White House, Iraq is draining the Administration's remaining energies, and the [p]resident is entering a difficult period with a Congress he has never treated with much respect."

Time continued, "Bush doesn't have much time. Democratic aides say Reid plans to get the new bipartisan bill to the floor this spring in the hope of forcing it through Congress before the presidential campaign paralyzes Washington. If it's not done by August, says one, 'it's dead.' "

Bush seems to agree with this assessment. In a speech delivered in Guatemala, the president said that he aimed to pass his "comprehensive" amnesty bill by August. In another address in Mexico, Bush told Mexican President Felipe Calderon that "My pledge to you and your government, but more important to the people of Mexico, is I'll work as hard as I possibly can to pass comprehensive immigration reform." The latter phrase is what Bush has consistently used to describe amnesty. Source: CNN (3/13/07); The Associated Press (3/13/07)

U.S. Plans to Open All U.S. to Mexican Truckers

The United States plans to allow 100 Mexican trucking companies unlimited access to the United States, under a one-year pilot program. At a later date, American truckers will be able to drive in Mexico. The Department of Transportation (DOT) said that the Mexican truckers will have to meet all standards required of American drivers.

The Teamsters Union has strongly protested the pilot program. One "unanswered question," according to the Teamsters is "How can DOT assure the U.S. public that all trucks will be inspected by U.S. officials in Mexico and at the U.S. border when fewer than 10 percent of all Mexican trucks entering the commercial zone are inspected today." In the commercial zone, an area extending about 25 miles north of the border, Mexican trucks are presently allowed to travel.

Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) said she intended to hold Senate hearings about the pilot project. A spokesman for Rep. James Oberstar (D-MN) said that Oberstar wanted to hold hearings in the House. Source: WorldNetDaily (2/23/07)

To Help the Ramos and Compean Families

Many immigration reformers believe that Border Patrol agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean received excessive sentences for their parts in an incident involving an illegal alien drug smuggler. The agents fired at the smuggler who fled from them toward the Mexican border. Although wounded in the buttocks, the smuggler kept running. Ramos said that he fired because he saw the man turn in his flight, and feared that he was preparing to shoot. For failing to follow proper procedure in reporting the incident and violating the alien's civil rights, Compean received a 12-year prison sentence and Ramos an 11-year sentence.

People wishing to assist the wives and children of the agents may contribute to Compean Children's Trust, Box 2685, Covina, CA 91722 and The Ramos Family Fund, Box 972925, El Paso, TX 79997.