====== FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ======
America First Party
1630 A 30th Street #111
Boulder, Colorado 80301
http://www.AmericaFirstParty.org
Friday, April 1, 2005
Bush Betrays Border Security, People Must Stand Guard
Boulder, CO -- Regarding immigration issues and border security, America
First Party National Chairman Dan Charles issued the following statement:
"The situation on our southern border is out of control. Our immigration
laws are not being enforced. This is a threat to the national security,
economic security, and personal security of our nation and its people. Time
and time again, President Bush has shown his contempt for these concerns.
The America First Party supports citizens who will help protect our borders,
and condemns President Bush for siding with law breakers yet again.
"There are already more than 15,000,000 people living in this country
illegally. Illegal immigration has increased to more than 3,000,000 a year
since the President proposed rewarding those who break the law every minute
of every day they are in this country.
"Our out-of-control southern border threatens our economic security by
driving down wages and straining social services at all levels, punishing
families, taxpayers, and legal immigrants for the 'crime' of being
law-abiding. It threatens our national security by providing a way for
foreign terrorists to stealthily enter our country. The personal security
of the American people is endangered by those who have demonstrated
disrespect for our laws and our people by breaking into our country, and who
have bypassed the normal screening a legal immigrant encounters. Is it any
wonder that as illegal immigration has exploded, so too have cases of
tuberculosis and other diseases common in the less developed nations?
"According to Border Patrol agents, immigration experts, and anyone with
common sense, more manpower is needed to patrol our border with Mexico. The
intelligence reform bill the President signed last year requires the hiring
of 10,000 new Border Patrol agents over the next five years, an average of
2,000 per year. Yet the President's proposed budget provides funding for
only 10% of what is needed to meet that goal, and the Mexican government
distributes a comic book to teach people how to break into the United
States.
"Sadly, the President puts other considerations ahead of protecting the
American people from invasion. In the '70s and '80s with crime rates
skyrocketing, citizens were encouraged to establish 'Neighborhood Watch'
programs. Average Americans helped police fight crime by being on the
lookout and reporting suspicious activity. In the war on terrorism,
government officials constantly urge us to be aware and alert.
"In response, patriots have come together to form the Minuteman Project, a
sort of Neighborhood Watch for our southern border. During the month of
April, participants will peacefully observe the border in Arizona, and
report suspicious activity to the US Border Patrol. America First Party
members will be participating, led by Robert Casimiro and Jeffery Buck, the
Party's first elected official.
"Rather than praise these civic minded citizens, President Bush has resorted
to childish name-calling, falsely labeling them 'vigilantes'. Rather than
increase funding to hire more Border Patrol agents, he has cynically
diverted already strained resources, opening new avenues of attack for
illegal immigrants. President Bush should be ashamed of himself. Anyone
who voted for him and cares about our nation's security should be as well."
A link to the Minuteman Project website is available on the America First
Party homepage.
Contacts:
Dan Charles, National Chairman, 1-866-SOS-USA1, ext. 4
Romelle Winters, Press Secretary, 1-866-SOS-USA1, ext. 2
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