Tag Archives: Illegal immigration

Doug Smith: The truth about illegal immigration

24 Jun

After a sabbatical following the loss of his hero, his father, Doug has returned with absolute clarity on the crisis at our Southern Border.  The crisis is real.

illegals for doug's

The crisis at the border is real

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DOUG FOR FSP

Doug Smith is an opinion columnist, historian and social editor for Free State Patriot

June 24, 2019

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During the time of the Barbary Pirates, there was an expression of the sentiment of the times. In various forms, it said “Millions for defense, not a sixpence for tribute.”  The Pirates, you see, would offer to stop attacking our ships if we would only pay them off. The sentiment was to reject the offer, and reject it we did. Jefferson sent the Navy and Marines to fight them off and there was no more problem with the Barbary Pirates.

A similar principle is at work in the arguments regarding the costs and treatment of illegals detained in the US. Legal immigrants play by the rules. They must show that they are able to support themselves before being allowed to come in, and are expect, at once, to begin contributing to, not taking from, society. It is, therefore, manifestly unfair to permit others to push around those waiting to do it right, and sneer at our laws and borders, and reward such behavior by supporting them while they are here illegally, and meanwhile, the ones who respect our laws, and our country, wait.

In 1986, Democrats, led by Ted Kennedy, made a deal with President Reagan. In exchange for amnesty for 3 million illegals, Democrats would agree to secure the border and fix laws so that legal immigration was streamlined and illegal immigration was much harder, and dealt with much more sternly. Unsurprisingly, looking back at deals with Democrats, he lied. The 3 million got amnesty. None of the promised actions took place. Not even now, 33 years later.

When our laws, our enforcement, and our benefits to illegal entries all combine to make it attractive to disobey our laws, and count on being rewarded for being illegal, and punished for doing the right thing, we get what you would expect: more illegals.

We must remove the incentives to break our laws.

Now, there is an argument being put forth that it is cheaper to release them and give them welfare than to detain them. (Have you noticed that the Left is never concerned about how to pay for something, or what it costs, unless it is for something of which they disapprove?)  This is particularly specious. For one thing, detainees will be held for a limited period of time. Then, after a hearing, if denied amnesty, they will be deported to their homes. Illegals released into the population, and given public moneys to live on, will be living on it, in most cases, for decades. Arguments by the catch and release crowd to the contrary, ICE testified before Congress in Dec 2018 that in fact, a scant 15 % ever show up for hearings. And with good reason, from their point of view, because less than 12% of amnesty claims turn out to be valid and approved. There is massive fraud in these claims, because lawyers and open borders advocates coach people before they arrive on what to say to trigger a claim for amnesty. Yet, once they are investigated, very few are found to be legitimate.

This is tantamount to saying it costs so much to hold a felon that it is cheaper to release him into the community. After all, what he would steal is probably less than what it costs to hold him. In one sense, it may be cheaper, with the single felon. But there is also the desire to deter crime and make it costly to the criminal. We want to discourage crime and live under the protection of a system of laws. If we always do that which is cheaper and easier, regardless of right or wrong, we soon find ourselves at the mercy of bullies and bandits.

The arguments to simply release everyone are just the open borders arguments in various guises. The United States of America is not going to have open borders, and permit anyone, anywhere, who wishes to come, to come on in, ignore our laws, and get paid for it. Because if we did, the United States would cease to exist. No sovereign nation has, or can, continue if it does not control its borders and its populations. Many countries require visitors to have a return ticket before they can roam around.

The current flood of people coming into Texas is no longer just people fleeing Honduras or Guatemala looking for the good life here. Citizens of 29 different countries have been flooding Texas in recent months. A small town of 17000 recently had over 300 Congolese illegals appear on their streets, and no one who can even speak their language. Proof, in case we still need it, that the word is out: drag a child with you and you can get in, and that these folks are getting help to get in. How else do 300 poor Congolese make the trek from Africa to Mexico and then walk up across the border.

It is unfair to legal immigrants, or those waiting to come in illegally, but it is also unfair to US citizens and taxpayers. Essentially the open border argument says “No matter what it costs you, no matter how much it taxes your resources, no matter that it may bankrupt your town, then your county, then your state, then the nation, you must accept as many of the worlds billions of poor who want to come and take from your purse.” I reject this argument, and say I, and my fellow citizen, get to set the limits on my charity. Often in response, I am called a bigot or xenophobe. These are not arguments, but simply attacks. They do not persuade. If anyone, government or fellow citizen, wishes to take my good and money from me, without persuading me that it is in my interest to give it, then it is simply robbery, whether the gun is visible or not. Ultimately, the threat of force is behind it.

I am an American. I advocate for the interests of my country, and my fellow citizens, first and foremost, and above and to the exclusion of any others. For those who want to come in, you may ask to do so. You must play by the rules, and there is a chance you will be permitted to come. Not everyone will. America may be a friend to other countries. We are the best friend other countries can have. We are the ones called when a tsunami wipes out hundreds, or an earthquake devastates an already backward country. Us. The United States. Not Cuba, or Venezuela, or China, us. And we respond over and over again with ships and people and money. The world looks to us as the big dog when trouble strikes. But we will not accept, en masse, their entire populations of poor, thereby relieving them of the obligation to care for them, and breaking our own system and economy.

It costs something to detain, care for, process, and deport illegals. It will cost Mexico something to slow down the mass movements on their southern border. But once the word filters out that it is no longer a cake walk, and that dragging a child along a dangerous 1200-mile journey is no longer an EZ Pass into the US, the flood of illegals will slow considerably, to levels we can manage. Until it does, these are steps we must take to preserve our country.

 

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Mark Caserta: Liberal Democrats desire to change the face of our nation – literally

13 Mar

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Mark Caserta is an opinion columnist and managing editor at Free State Patriot

3.13.2019

 

Illegal immigration across our southern border has understandably been on the increase.

It’s certainly not because our efforts at the border have diminished, they’ve not.  Illegals are simply being instructed that if they ever wish to have opportunity to cross our southern border into the United States, they’d better do it quickly.

And it isn’t just people seeking a better future.

Along with the illegal immigrants, we are seeing an increase in gang activity, drug and firearm smuggling and human trafficking.  Anyone who tells you the humanitarian crisis at our border is manufactured, is trying to sell you something.

In other words, they’re propagating fake news, or news intended to persuade or influence, rather than inform.

Believe me, when I tell you President Trump will successfully build a wall and bring lawful stability to our southern borders.  He simply doesn’t know how to fail.

Given our current illegal immigration crisis and liberal Democrat’s vehement battle against President Trump’s border wall, how many times do you suppose President Barack Obama visited our southern border?

One time. He gave a speech. Go figure.

When was the last time you saw a story of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi or Sen. Chuck Schumer visiting the southern border for a fact-finding mission?

They avoid it like the plague.  And yet, they still claim there is no crisis at the border.

The truth is… the truth is not important to liberals. Just stop Trump – period.

Hypocrisy seems to be the new platform for the Democrat Party. Despite supporting border security and even voting for the Secure Fence Act of 2016, they shamefully continue to fight against yet, another win for President Trump.

And alas, the newest liberal Democrat talking points avoid the word “wall” like it was akin to saying “Islamic terrorist”.  They use words like, “barrier or fence”.  It’s actually very intellectually insulting.

The Democrat Party has eroded so badly, they act like small children throwing a tantrum because mommy wouldn’t buy them a toy.

Folks, we must ask ourselves, why?

Why have liberal Democrats “flip-flopped” on supporting re-enforcing our southern borders against illegal entry?  As void as they are of “morals and principles”, they aren’t stupid.  There must be a reason.

This liberal hatred of Donald Trump simply aligns with the Democrats ultimate goal.

Liberal Democrat’s ultimately desire to change the face of our nation, one in which will complacently succumb to the liberal ideology of government power and control over the people.  Frankly, those on the far left  would love for it to begin a a soft transition into socialism.

Democrats used to hide this socialist agenda – now, they run campaigns on it.  It’s called “progressivism”.

Trust me when I tell you they will never be satisfied until they own you.  They believe they know better, than you do, what you need to be successful in life.  They’ve proven it time and again.

Here’s a Democrat postulate for you. Liberal Democrats believe that you are stupid and they are wise.

Remember Obamacare?  Talk about a piece of legislation totally passed on lies!  And to date, Democrats refuse to address the falsehoods perpetrated on their constituents.

For those forgetting, this type of predictable border controversy is a primary reason for electing a president who is committed to nominating conservative justices to the highest court in the land!

No doubt, we will see other challenges escalated to the Supreme Court, such as live-birth abortion or gun control.  Owning a conservative balance insures a fighting chance for our children’s future!

President Trump called it accurately when he predicted his National Emergency Declaration would be challenged in the lower courts, probably failing, but then eventually decided at the Supreme Court.

Let’s move President Trump’s National Emergency Declaration through the courts and allow the Supreme Court to decide.

Dig in.  The battle has just begun.

 

 

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Mark Caserta: Team Trump working to draft National Emergency Declaration

26 Jan

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(Trump legal team positioning for the legal battle ahead)

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Mark Caserta is an opinion columnist and editor for Free State Patriot

January 26, 2019

 

Successful negotiating is like producing a fine wine.

If fashioned and placed on the table too quickly, you’ll likely experience something akin to a flavor-fortified Boones Farm Ripple. If allowed to develop its depth in a controlled environment, it can become a nice Cabernet Sauvignon with well-integrated tannins leaving the wine feeling silky on the palate and with a pleasing bouquet.

The most successful and enduring negotiations achieve a “win-win” for all parties involved. And remember, the more parties, the longer the process may take. Additionally, while one must always negotiate from a position of strength, it’s important to show the other party a desire for the process to benefit them in some way.

It’s critical, however, that one be willing to walk away from the table. Many acclaimed negotiations were catapulted by someone validating their position and sincerely, walking away.

For those wondering, that’s why Barack Obama failed so miserably in negotiating deals for the American people. He always seemed to be negotiating from a position of weakness and never toward a win for all parties, much less the American people.

Last week’s announcement by President Trump that he was conceding to the Democrats and allowing the government to re-open brought about a plethora of emotions and responses from those following the standoff.

Liberals and complicit media declared victory in that the president “caved” to their demands. Many conservatives were disappointed and even angry feeling their commander-in-chief “wavered” in the winds of political discontent.

Neither were correct. I believe this was a brilliant negotiating move by President Donald J. Trump.

Allow me to draw back the curtain revealing what I believe the president accomplished and his plans moving forward.

The president allowed the shutdown standoff to continue long enough to get all the Democrat cards on the table. And, indeed, they showed their full hand. He also allowed everyone to realize the full import of even a partial government shutdown.

But, Democrat leaders, Speaker Pelosi and Sen. Schumer were simply asking for the government to be re-opened and then, and only then, would they be willing to negotiate a deal. Frankly, that was a position easily substantiated by the media.

Now, while many people feel liberals will fail in producing legislation that funds a “barrier” or a wall, Democrats don’t have a leg to stand on! Remember, they voted on The Secure Fence Act of 2006, which provided much of what Trump is asking! That will, also, be a position easily validated.

Democrat leaders didn’t even include the Deferred Action for Child Arrivals (DACA) in their wish list, which is something President Trump had previously offered, proving their argument had nothing to do with compassion or benevolence.

So, last week, President Trump strategically, gave in to the Democrat’s demands.

Here ya go, Chuck and Nancy! The government is open and government employees will receive back pay. You have three weeks. Now get to work securing our border and protecting Americans.

However, here’s the “fly in the liberal’s buttermilk”, should they fail in passing legislation allocating sufficient funding for the wall along our southern border.

In his speech, President Trump confidently fortified his executive ability to declare a national emergency enabling him to gather financing from other resources to build the wall he promised during his campaign.

If Democrats fail in placing legislation on his desk at the end of three weeks, Trump will have already given them what they demanded. At that time, he will take the argument back to the American people explaining “why” he must declare a national emergency, as it is the only option left on the table. I believe the Trump legal team is already working to draft the declaration.

He won’t want to shut the government down again. He won’t need to. But there is no way liberal Democrats are going to give President Trump, yet another “huge” win by funding his border wall. Both parties already know this.

Trust me when I tell you, Democrat leaders are already shopping federal courts, such as the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, in preparation of filing suit against the President of the United States. They will claim his action is unconstitutional, and trust that the Ninth “circus” Court of Appeals will agree, since they are arguably the most liberal court in our nation.

Also, trust me when I tell you, the Trump administration already knows that.

Herein, my friend, lies the importance of the balance of the U.S. Supreme Court, as this will ultimately be decided at that level. It may take some time, but probably not as long as one may think considering this deals with what the president has declared a national emergency. It will, most assuredly, rise to the top of the court’s docket.

Regardless, President Trump and the American people will get a barrier along our southern wall. And it will be a wall sufficient to deter most illegal immigration, drugs, human trafficking and gang related entry.

This huge debacle is a travesty brought on by liberal Democrats.

The primary responsibility of a president is to protect our nation and its citizens. Walls are proven to work. Democrats have no other goal in this standoff than to cause President Trump to fail. His mounting number of wins are working to secure his victory in the 2020 president election.

The Democrat position does nothing but put Americans at risk. I consider that the antithesis of patriotism, bordering on treason.

Three weeks and counting. It will be an interesting series of events.

 

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Mark Caserta: Americans, behold the hypocrisy of liberal Democrats!

9 Jan

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(Brave Border Patrol agents work to protect our nation’s borders from illegal entry)

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Mark Caserta is an opinion columnist and editor for Free State Patriot

January 9, 2019

 

Allow me to illustrate just how hypocritical liberal Democrats are on funding President Trump’s border wall. Even I’m amazed at the audacity of these corrupt politicians! This proves just how “dumb” and “unengaged” Democrats believe the American people have become!

All these quotes regarding border security, are unedited, accurate and available all over the internet, from a handful of fair and balanced media.

Let’s first hear a 2005 quote from former senator and then, president, Barack Hussein Obama.

“We simply cannot allow people to pour into the U.S. undocumented, undetected, unchecked, circumventing the people who are waiting patiently, diligently, lawfully to become immigrants in this country.”

George W. Bush was president.

Now, let’s hear a 2014 quote from progressive “queen,” former senator and “twice” presidential candidate, Hillary Rodham Clinton.

“I voted numerous times when I was a senator to spend money to build a barrier to try to prevent illegal immigrants from coming in and I do think you have to control your borders.”

Barack H. Obama was president.

Let’s not forget current Senator Chuck Ellis Schumer, when in 2009, he said:

“People who enter the United States without our permission are illegal aliens and illegal aliens should not be treated the same as people who enter the U.S. legally. The American people will never accept immigration reform unless they truly believe that their government is committed to ending future illegal immigration.”

Barack H. Obama was still president.

Oh, and then, there is Schumer’s current “presidential rebuttal” partner, House Speaker Nancy Patricia D’Alesandro Pelosi, when in 2008, the far-left liberal politician said:

“We do need to address the issue of immigration and the challenge we have of undocumented people in our country. We certainly do not want any more coming in.”

George W. Bush was still president.

And we can’t leave out self-proclaimed socialist, Senator Bernie (no middle name) Sanders, when in 2007, Bernard said:

“I don’t know why we need millions of people to be coming into the country who will work for lower wages than American workers and drives wages down even lower than they are right now.”

“W” was still at the presidential helm.

And at no extra charge, let’s hear from ex-Senator Harry Mason Reid, when in 1993, he stated:

“If making it easy to be an illegal alien isn’t enough, how about offering a reward for being an illegal alien? No sane country would do that, right? Guess again … (If you’re an illegal immigrant who gives birth in the U.S. you can go on welfare immediately.) Is it any wonder that two-thirds of the babies born at taxpayer expense in the county-run hospitals in Los Angeles are born to illegal alien mothers?”

Fast forward to 2019.  Donald Trump is President of the United States.

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The crisis of illegal immigration is more prevalent than at any time in our nation’s history. America’s southern border is more volatile than ever.

These are direct quotes taken from House Leader Nancy Pelosi’s and Senator, Chuck Schumer’s Tuesday evening rebuttal of President Trump’s address to the nation, regarding his commitment to border security:

First, Ms. Pelosi:

“…The President is forcing American taxpayers to waste billions of dollars on an expensive and ineffective wall – a wall he always promised Mexico would pay for.”

(The president did, indeed, announce, during his address, the wall would be financed indirectly via the recent trade agreement he negotiated with Mexico.)

Now, Mr. Schumer:

“My fellow Americans, we address you tonight for one reason only: The President of the United States – having failed to get Mexico to pay for his ineffective, unnecessary border wall…”

These are the same people who voted for the Secure Fence Act of 2006, which, including maintenance, was pegged at $50 billion over the next 25 years!  The act included many of the same features of President Trump’s wall!

These unethical politicians are now the face of the Democrat Party. By refusing to protect Americans, they are, indeed, the face of evil. There is no “downside” in building Trump’s wall. In fact, it’s never been needed more.  Yet, Democrats have no apparent desire to legitimately control our borders!

Per the U.S. Border Patrol’s website, in 2018, an average of 40,000 illegals attempted to cross our southern border every month! Agents have responded with increased in manpower, modern technology, such as infrared night-vision scopes, seismic sensors, and a modern computer processing system. But it isn’t enough. Illegals keep finding entry points along the 2000 miles of border- illegally. These numbers don’t even factor in those who’ve illegally overstayed their visas.

Most estimate the U.S. currently has well over 20,000 illegal immigrants in our nation, most of which strain the economy.

If only 1 percent of these illegals mean to bring harm to our people, is it worth it?

And despite what Democrats would like to leave out, under the guise of “compassion”, this ultimately is about the “rule of law”. Every single person who crosses the border illegally, is already breaking U.S. law – period.

Build the wall, President Trump. If you need to declare a national emergency, true American patriots are with you. There’s no need to play “chicken” with Democrats. And there’s no need to compromise on your devout principle of protecting U.S. citizens and our nation’s sovereignty.

The American people have your back.

 

 

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Mark Caserta: Bottom line: How many lives are Dems willing to sacrifice to stop Trump’s wall?

8 Jan

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(A caravan of immigrants make their way to the U.S. southern border)

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Mark Caserta is an opinion columnist and editor of Free State Patriot

January 8, 2019

Anyone who trusts polls, especially those from the corrupt, mainstream media, hasn’t followed politics very closely.

It’s no surprise the complicit, liberal media has been wetting themselves in excitement over being able to attack President Trump over recent polling of voters regarding the government shutdown, now in its third week.

Remember, these are the same people who told us Hillary Clinton would win the 2016 presidency in a landslide. I’m not sure how they could have missed it any worse. In fact, they still haven’t gotten over the embarrassment of losing to a political outsider who has strategically outmaneuvered them for the past two years.

Recent polling reports claim 70 percent of Americans want some form of compromise on our nation’s most recent woes – Government shutdown, the border wall and illegal immigration. Additionally, pollsters claim only 30 percent of Americans “don’t” want the president to compromise.

Besides not giving any credulity to these polls, anyone paying attention over the last couple decades, has learned “compromise”, in Washington, D.C., means gutless, Republicans cave to the Democrats.

That, my friends, is why our nation has had so many losses for Americans the last few presidencies. Politicians simply aren’t willing to succumb to controversy for fear of losing a vote.

As we all know, the definition of insanity, is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. Donald Trump is about results.

So, I ask our readers, “How does one compromise on principle?” I realize this concept may cause liberal’s head to explode – but you don’t!

It’s one thing to compromise on a tactic or a roadmap for achieving a goal. But if the goal is to protect American citizens, where does one justify compromise?

I’m reminded of the military helicopter scene in the first “Die Hard” movie in which FBI agents, facetiously named, Johnson and Johnson, were flying to the roof of the Nakatomi Building under the guise of providing hostage-holding terrorists a route of escape. They, in fact, planned an airstrike designed to eliminate the terrorists with extreme prejudice.

During the flight, Agent Johnson asked Agent Johnson, the odds of the casualty rate of innocent hostages. Johnson replied, “…If we take out the terrorists, we could lose 20 or 25 percent of the hostages. His counterpart coldly replied, “I can live with that.”

I submit building the wall is no different! We have seen lives lost at the hands of illegal immigrants, deported time and again, but who venture back across our borders, only to commit crimes. We know illegal drugs are making their way across the border. We know terrorists and gang members are abusing our open borders to illegally enter the United States.

We know all of this eventually costs American lives. And while common sense dictates that some illegal immigrants are just looking to improve their lives, this must not take priority over rebuking the few who will commit a heinous crime.

Immigrants are welcome, but must take the legal route and come here with the goal of acclimating as a U.S. citizen.

Are Democrats willing to ignore these facts? And don’t forget, these are the same politicians who not only don’t want any border wall, they want to eliminate U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as we know it!

How many American lives are Democrats willing to sacrifice simply to defeat Donald Trump in his mission to fulfill his campaign promise and build the wall? What is the acceptable civilian casualty rate to liberals whose hatred of this president far exceeds their love of country?

Building the wall will save lives and protect American sovereignty. “Not” building the wall puts both at risk. Trust me when I tell you these corrupt politicians will simply find something else on which to spend $5.6 billion.

They just aren’t willing to spend it protecting you – even though it’s your money.

President Trump will get his wall. And he will be willing to compromise on the terms of how he gets the money for its construction. But He will not compromise the principle of building it.

There is a difference.

 

 

 

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Mark Caserta: President Trump may declare national emergency to build wall.

6 Jan

trump leaving for camp david

(President Donald Trump speaks to the media before departing the White House for Camp David on January 6, 2019 in Washington, D.C. – Pool/Getty Images)

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Mark Caserta is an opinion columnist and editor for Free State Patriot.

January 6, 2019

 

As the government shutdown continues, both sides remain firmly entrenched in their ideology about building a wall along our southern border. The difference?

It’s this simple.

President Trump’s position protects Americans. The Democrat position puts them at risk.

I have a question for readers, and maybe more specifically, for Democrats. Why do federal prisons have some sort of a fence or a wall around them? Why do people build walls around their homes or businesses? The answer is ridiculously obvious to an intellectually honest person. But apparently progressive Democrats don’t fall into that category.

Walls are meant to keep people, critters or anything intrusive on their respective sides!  Why did the city of Huntington build a “flood wall”?  To keep out unwanted water!

The Democrats position asserting a wall along our southern border with Mexico would be ineffective and a waste of money simply defies common sense.

Per a May 2018 column in USA Today, at the end of World War II, there were seven border walls or fences in the world. Today, as President Trump pushes to deliver on his campaign promise to build a wall on the border with Mexico, there are at least 77 walls or fences around the world. Many were erected after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City and at the Pentagon.

Each of us realizes the threat of terror and crime across the globe has increased exponentially over the past 17 years. As the threats increase, we must prepare accordingly. We never “arrive” in our pursuit of safety. Our military is constantly working on new and innovative weapons designed to protect our homeland, while our enemies are simultaneously working on weapons designed to destroy it.

“Not” building the wall is a blatant dereliction of our representative’s duty and responsibility to protect Americans!

Let’s be clear. The battle over President Trump’s border wall isn’t about money for Democrats. It’s about seeing Donald Trump fail, at something, at anything – just fail. And liberal Democrats are willing to lower themselves to any level, to obstruct this president, even if it means Americans will be less safe.

But trust me when I tell you, President Trump will not fail in his “America first” pledge to protect our country from illegal immigration by building a border security wall or in some locations a fence. The president has often stated, geography will determine what structure will be needed to prevent illegals from entering our country.

Last week, President Trump threatened to declare a national emergency over immigration, which would allow him to bypass Congress and build the wall on our southern border. By declaring a state of national emergency, White House officials believe it will unlock money from other sources, allocating the $5.6 billion needed to construct the wall.

“We can call a national emergency and build it very quickly,” Mr. Trump told reporters in the Rose Garden when asked about an emergency declaration.

Asked if his claim was intended to scare Democrats into making a deal, he replied, “I never make threats.” Officials at the Homeland Security, Justice and Defense Departments have reportedly researched the issue for Mr. Trump.

Under the National Emergencies Act of 1976, presidents can take unilateral action in times of crisis, provided they notify Congress, specify the circumstances that necessitated the declaration and document all uses of executive authority that are covered by the emergency.

One must remember, Donald Trump “wrote the book” on negotiation. I believe shutting the government down was a necessary step to negotiate from a position of strength. He knew Congress’s feckless method of “kicking the can down the road” with Continuing Resolutions has never solved a single problem. He was determined to take a path to success, even at the risk of owning the shutdown.

Negotiation “101” teaches a party “must” be willing to walk away from the table. And that’s exactly what President Trump did. Democrats and Americans, alike, now realize he means business.

I expect President Trump will allow the government shutdown to continue long enough to get the attention of the American people in exposing Democrats in their illegitimate argument against the wall. If Democrats don’t come to the table with a proposal that fully funds the president’s proposed wall, he will procure it in another manner. I believe his team has already researched other options to secure the wall’s funding.

I still believe the president would be well-served if he would lay out his plan to ultimately have Mexico pay for the wall, either directly or indirectly. This most assuredly would bolster support for his position, as it was, indeed, part of his campaign pledge. At some point, he must do so.

So, for the time being, we wait and watch, as the mainstream media boost their ratings decrying every step this president takes. But in the end, it will be President Trump and Americans in the winner’s circle.

And liberal Democrats will cry and lament over Trump’s continued success as president.

 

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Mark Caserta: President Trump working to control our borders and protect Americans

13 Jul

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As Commander-in-Chief, Trump boldly places America first

 

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Mark Caserta:  Free State Patriot editor

July 13, 2018

 

Since winning the presidency, Donald J. Trump has successfully exposed the liberal bias in our nation, not only among the mainstream media, but in the nooks and crannies of “dark state” America. Even individuals heretofore considered “moderates” are “coming out” and revealing their ardent disdain for conservatism.

Exposing the progressive movement in this country has long been a mission of mine. As millions of Americans awaken every day to an unprecedented number of non-sensical attacks on this presidency, the mission has accelerated exponentially.

I believe many of the so-called “never Trumpers” would rather our nation’s unemployment rate and taxes be higher, the labor participation rate lower, and our brave military men and women facing down ISIS in large numbers, just so they can defile the Trump presidency.

And it’s the epitome of hypocrisy that they do it under the guise of protecting our “republic” from the “worst president in U.S. history,” a moniker for which they’ve no concrete foundation, other than his demeanor and success makes them look irrelevant.

The most recent attempt by the left to assault President Trump resulted from his promise to the American people to enforce border security and protect our nation.

Trump’s wins for America are compiling so rapidly that liberals have no argument that engaged Americans are willing to support. Ineffective as they are, they must find a way to make an emotional connection with the masses if they ever hope to regain the White House.

The attempt to make a connection between Russia and Trump failed miserably. Liberals are now reduced to throwing anything possible against the wall and hoping it sticks – hence their clamor on illegal immigration.

I wish I had a Buffalo nickel for every time I heard a “never Trumper” make the case against Trump’s border policies by asserting “we’re a nation of immigrants.”

Agreed. The U.S. has always been inviting for individuals desiring to come to our country – but legally. Anyone saying otherwise is woefully ignorant of American history.

And yes, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to be free.” But don’t begin your assimilation by ignoring our laws and entering our country illegally. We are a nation of laws. When we ignore them, we’ll resemble the nations from whence these individuals desire to escape.

The Statue of Liberty was gifted to the United States by France to commemorate our alliance during the American Revolution and to honor our perseverance for freedom and democracy. The sonnet mounted on the statue, written by Emma Lazarus in 1883, was written to help raise funds for the statue base.

It’s not a “Bada book, Bada boom” invitation!

America’s military is far too mighty for our sovereignty to be challenged by another country. But I can think of no quicker way to concede our sovereignty than to eliminate our border. That’s essentially what liberals are proposing in dealing with illegal immigration.

My great-grandfather traveled from Italy and disembarked at Ellis Island over 100 years ago. He arrived legally, assimilated into our American culture and worked hard to become a contributing citizen to society. He earned his citizenship and learned to love his country. That sort of patriotism can’t be imparted to someone unwilling to respect our laws.

When our nation becomes inundated with illegal residents, who haven’t pledged their allegiance to our country and flag, we’ll become weak from within, susceptible to civil unrest and discord.

Sound familiar? The liberal position on border security will make it devastatingly worse.

That’s why President Trump and millions of supporters realize our borders must be controlled.

It’s time liberals put America first.

Mark Caserta is a conservative blogger, a Cabell County resident and a regular contributor to The Herald-Dispatch editorial page.

 

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Mark Caserta: Liberal Democrats unfairly attack Trump on emotional issue

1 Jul

sanct

Jun 29, 2018

 

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Mark Caserta:  Free State Patriot editor

 

 

Liberal Democrats were wrong to portray President Trump as apathetic to children being taken from parents as they illegally attempted to cross our southern borders. The president was simply doing his job: protecting American citizens, by enforcing the law.

Trump ultimately showed his compassion by signing an executive order allowing children to stay with their parents after crossing the border illegally, which exceeded the actions of his predecessors.

But while sad, it isn’t Trump’s fault these parents made the choice to put their children at risk.

In the wake of the president’s decision to enforce a “zero tolerance policy” on illegal immigration, liberal Democrats and the mainstream media once again thought they had Trump “trapped” when they began to feign moral outrage over the Trump administration’s decision that required children to be separated from parents illegally attempting to cross the border into our country.

Where were these virtuous defenders during prior administrations’ “crimes against humanity?” It’s unfortunate Democrats aspire to exploit the sympathies of marginally engaged Americans and portray themselves as the party of compassion, while positioning themselves for another vote.

What liberals intentionally failed to tell you is the policy to separate children from their parents during the prosecutorial process has been in place for multiple administrations, including the Obama administration, which prosecuted half a million illegal immigrants and similarly separated families, per a June column in The Daily Caller by Saagar Enjeti. This time allows an immigration judge to review “the initial deportability and custody determinations,” per a Supreme Court ruling in Reno v. Flores (1993).

Enjeti’s column featured stories and photos of such separations from not only the Obama administration, but the Bush administration as well. Liberals simply saw this as another opportunity to strike a low blow at this president.

No doubt the left thought they could ride this issue to the November mid-terms and regain control of Congress.

Following the president’s decision to sign the executive order, I observed CNN’s news reporting was tagged with a headline that read, “Trump flips” on family separation.

There was no “flip.” Trump chose to follow the law while calling on legislators to fix a problem they’ve ignored for generations. When he discerned their deceitful attempt to politicize innocent children, he made the decision to fix it himself and move forward on immigration reform.

Although very sad, families are routinely separated in communities across our nation when parents who break the law are incarcerated. There is no difference. But let’s talk about the tragic, permanent separation of parents and children.

How about 32-year-old Kate Steinle, who was shot and killed in 2015 by an illegal alien who’d been deported five times and had returned to our country and given sanctuary in the city of San Francisco.

How about 16-year-old Tessa Tranchant, who was killed in 2007 in Virginia Beach. Tessa and her friend were sitting at a stoplight when an intoxicated illegal alien rear-ended their car. The illegal had a history of prior convictions, but Virginia Beach’s sanctuary policies protected him from detention.

Liberals were wrong to use children and an emotional issue to take down Trump.

We’re fortunate we have a president who is determined to honor the rule of law and keep his promises to the American people, even in the winds of discontent.

Mark Caserta is a Cabell County resident.

 

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Mark Caserta: Liberal immigration argument all about votes

6 Apr

me

Mark Caserta:  Free State Patriot editor

4.6.2018

 

sanct

 

 

Stymied by the policies of the Trump administration, the progressive movement seems to be adapting its methodology accordingly.

In harmony with the prior administration’s marketed desire to “fundamentally change America,” it seems the foremost passion of present-day progressives is to prioritize the rights of illegal immigrants in our nation over the rights of law-abiding citizens.

This is particularly interesting given that historically Democrats have agreed we must protect our borders from illegal immigration.

In his 1995 State of the Union address before a Joint Session of Congress, President Bill Clinton said:

“All Americans, not only in the states most heavily affected but in every place in this country, are rightly disturbed by the large numbers of illegal aliens entering our country,” President Clinton said. “The jobs they hold might otherwise be held by citizens or legal immigrants. The public services they use impose burdens on our taxpayers. We are a nation of immigrants. But we are also a nation of laws …We must do more to stop it.”

A 2017 Boston Globe column written by Annie Linskey reminded readers of Democrat support of the “Secure Fence Act of 2006,” authorizing a barrier along the southern border. This act was passed into law with the support of 26 Democratic senators, including Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden and Chuck Schumer. Then-Senator Barack Obama also extolled the legislation.

“The bill before us will certainly do some good,” Obama said on the Senate floor in October 2006. He praised the legislation, saying it would provide “better fences and better security along our borders” and would “help stem some of the tide of illegal immigration in this country.”

So, what’s changed? Why do liberal Democrats now want more illegal immigrants in our nation as well as the ones already here, protected from deportation?

I believe the reason is clear.

The Obama administration’s socialist attempt to delegitimize the exceptionalism of America failed miserably. In fact, it was deemed so destructive to our society, it helped elect Donald J. Trump. U.S. citizens simply had enough of the liberal experiment wreaking havoc with their daily lives and chose to take back their government.

Liberals have learned they simply don’t have enough credibility in mainstream America to adequately convince enough Americans to effectually propagate progressivism in the U.S. to the degree they would like. The answer?

Change the players! Bring in enough “ringers” to successfully stack the electorate deck in their favor.

Why do you think Democrats are so supportive of chain migration, sanctuary cities and any other initiative that allows illegal immigrants to enter our nation or protects the ones who are already here?

Per multiple researchers, including the National Review, an estimated 70-80 percent of Latin American immigrants will vote Democrat. I believe the percentage is much higher if an immigrant feels compelled to feed the hand that protects him!

Liberal Democrats understand if they’re successful in their mission to “purchase” multiple demographics with your tax dollars, they’ll be assured of the presidency and control of Congress for decades! It’s important for them to capture as many dependents as possible in their government net and find a way for them to vote.

Isn’t it ironic liberals propose new gun laws which will have no impact on protecting law-abiding citizens but ignore immigration laws that will protect our citizens! Clearly, liberals choose to leverage the rule of law only when it’s politically expedient.

Americans must understand why the liberal stance on protecting our borders has shifted. It’s about regaining power.

And frankly, they couldn’t care less about it’s socioeconomic impact on our nation.

Border security must remain a priority.

Mark Caserta is a conservative blogger, a Cabell County resident and a regular contributor to The Herald-Dispatch editorial page.

 

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More California Cities Seek to Defy ‘Sanctuary State’ as Revolt Spreads

21 Mar

sanct

Bill Wechter / AFP / Getty

by JOEL B. POLLAK

21 Mar 2018

More California cities may consider defying the state’s “sanctuary state” laws, after the city council of Los Alamitos passed an ordinance defying the state’s controversial new legislation preventing cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

Leaders of Los Alamitos, in Orange County, passed the ordinance 4-1 and instructed the city attorney to file an amicus brief in the ongoing Department of Justice lawsuit against the State of California. The lawsuit challenges the Immigrant Worker Protection Act (HB 450), the Inspection and Review of Facilities Housing Federal Detainees law (AB 103); and the California Values Act (SB 54).

The Orange County Register reports that other cities — and even Orange County itself — are now thinking of following suit (original links):

The County of Orange and several cities in Southern California soon might join Los Alamitos in its bid to opt out of a controversial state law that limits cooperation with federal immigration officials.

Officials with the county as well as leaders in Aliso Viejo and Buena Park said Tuesday they plan to push for various versions of the anti-sanctuary ordinance approved in Los Alamitos late Monday by a 4-1 vote of that city council.

Immigration advocates said Los Alamitos and cities and counties that follow its opt-out ordinance will be violating state law and at risk of litigation.

But Los Alamitos’ anti-sanctuary push also received wide attention in conservative media, and gained support from those who don’t agree with California’s protective stance on all immigrants, regardless of legal status.

Orange County is a key battleground in 2018, both at the state and federal levels. Democrats are hoping to pick up several U.S. House seats in the county, which voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016 — the first time in decades that the traditionally conservative county had backed a Democrat.

But Republicans are backing a recall of State Sen. Josh Newman (D-Fullerton) for voting to raise the gas tax. A ballot initiative to repeal the gas tax hike could also bring Republicans out to vote. And the immigration issue is likely to fuel turnout even more.

Proponents of the Los Alamitos legislation argued that the state was forcing local officials to defy their oath to the Constitution, and that the new ordinance was faithful to the rule of law.

Joel B. Pollak is Senior Editor-at-Large at Breitbart News. He was named to Forward’s 50 “most influential” Jews in 2017. He is the co-author of How Trump Won: The Inside Story of a Revolution, which is available from Regnery. Follow him on Twitter at @joelpollak.

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Big Government, Breitbart California, Immigration, Constitution, Illegal Aliens, Los Alamitos, Orange County, Sanctuary State

 

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