Deseret News | Cannon seeks data about border fence

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Cannon seeks data about border fence

Utah Voter | 12:20 a.m. June 6, 2008

What nonsense is this? American Border Patrol has already surveyed the entire border and shown that the government has only built a fraction of the fence promised to the American people. The pitiful stretch of fence that was built is not the correct type. Instead of building the double wall out of concrete, they've put up a single corrugated fence, short enough for someone to stand on a vehicle and hop over.

From what I heard about the National guard, they were setup a few miles away from the border, were not armed, and were told to run away from any possible confrontation with armed Mexican smugglers. I don't see what good they were doing in the first place.

It's obvious that the current administration is dis-interested in really enforcing the immigration laws at the border. They've drunk the kool aide mixed up by the President who thinks only good-hearted hard workers meander into the country.

John | 1:23 a.m. June 6, 2008

This is political posturing in an election year. Cannon is quite willing to hand over this country to the population of illegals that continually pour over the border. He actually wishes to help illegal immigrants by giving them amnesty. Cannon needs to be voted out.

BK | 6:44 a.m. June 6, 2008

This is the process that government goes through. Chertoff is with the Executive Branch, Cannon is with the Legislative branch and this is how they communicate.

The letter is a very good idea. By doing this what we will get is a formal response. Of coures Cannon could have simply picked the phone, gotten transfered to a few different people and had the answer within minutes. By doing this letter he will get back a formal response that will be part of the policy response of this Department. It puts Dept of Homeland Defense on notice that they are being held accountable for what they are doing.

This is a formal process and it is a great step by Cannon.

I'm sure he will be criticized for this. Also keep in mind that Cannon has openly supported putting and keeping the troops on the border, with a clear voting record on this. And the troops have helped. Border crossings are down significantly and this is due to increase Border Patrol (Cannon voted Yes) increase fences, barriers (Cannon voted Yes) and troops on the border (Cannon voted Yes). It isn't perfect but going in the right way.

Thanks Chris!

Comments continue below

Jim | 7:10 a.m. June 6, 2008

Here we go again. Cannon acting like he wants to stop illegal immigration because its election time. After the polls have closed he will go back to saying that we need these people here. (he said this 4 years ago.)

The democrats want them here because they hopoe that they might vote for them. The republicans want them here because they want cheap labor for thier buddys business. The american people dont want them here but neither party seems to listen.

its time to send a new person back to wshington who might listen and make this republic work like it is supposed to. Vote for Jason.

Candace | 7:23 a.m. June 6, 2008

People, if you are going to make such announcements, you need to speak to Chris Cannon yourself. He has contacted Chertoff numerous times, ever since this was handed over to Homeland Security. demanding an accounting. He has driven the border and seen what hasn't been done and what has been done wrong. He's demanded an accounting from Chertoff and is pushing to get that fence built. He supports the complete fence being built, the number of Border Patrol agents drastically increased and granting the Border Patrol the right to defend themselves, or shoot a dangerous suspect without these kangaroo courts such as the Texas U.S. Attorney is driving. Check the source before making these claims.

jim | 8:28 a.m. June 6, 2008

I heard chris cannon say this himself on ksl radio on the afternoon that he defeated matt throckmorton in the republican primary 4 years ago. He said "We need these people here (illegal immigrants) to hold down prices". Those were his exact words. Straight from the horses mouth. Those words burned into my memory. It was perfectly clear where he stood.

We need someone new.

JBL | 8:29 a.m. June 6, 2008

Here we go again: Cannon takes a strong conservative stance on the border and the far right loonies will tear him to shreds for it. People who hate Cannon will find an excuse to do so no matter what he does.

Personally, I would much rather vote for someone who supports strong border security and sensible solutions as to what to do with illegal immigrants already here. When I heard Chaffats talk about "a pathway to deportation" and building wharehouses to hold these illegal immigrants it genuinly scared me.

Why don't we just remodel all the old Japanese prison camps and store illegals in those? I don't have the stomach for such an idea.

The truth is that Cannon's record on immigration speaks for itself: more border security, fix the bureaucracy that makes it so hard to come legally, and find just and resonable solutions for the illegal immigrants already here.

Ut Co Mom | 9:45 a.m. June 6, 2008

Kudos Chirs. Keep it up. The only way we will get our fence is to keep th pressure on. I have spoken, at lenght, to both candidates. Cannon is the only one who has clue as to the real sutuation. Chaffetz is all slogan and stuffed shirt. Cannon has the real info and knows what to do and HOW to do it.

SaMaYo | 9:50 a.m. June 6, 2008

Candace, I think the problem with "speaking to Cannon yourself" is that he TELLS you what you want to hear and then DOES what's best for his political career. Right now it's best for him to appear to be serious about illegal immigration. But what he's DONE in the past does not reflect that. This is why so many people are disenchanted with him and want a change, and why Jason Chaffetz is such an attractive candidate.

SJ Voter | 10:07 a.m. June 6, 2008

I get frustrated by the people (see post by 'john' above) who ignore the facts in front of them. Cannon sends a letter to Chertoff about the fence, travels down to the border to see the fence himself, and questions Chertoff in a committee hearing about the status of the fence - and its all 'political posturing?'

I've taken an honest look at the record. And people who do know Cannon has been consistent on enforcement. That's the truth.

Anonymous | 10:55 a.m. June 6, 2008

Forty percent of illegal immigrants don't come here illegally initially, they just overstay their visa. A fence does nothing but give a boost to the ladder building industry. It's time for real solutions, not "simple fixes" like this that don't do anything. We need comprehensive reform that addresses the economic reasons people come here.

Stewart | 11:19 a.m. June 6, 2008

From these posts it looks like most readers realize that Cannon's opposition to illegal aliens is only a re-election tactic. He has almost been removed from office the last three times on this issue alone, and the issue only becomes larger and larger.

Cannon has been a faithful supporter of the administration. He has never even joined the House Immigration Reform Caucus which has 111 House members, both democrat and republican. Only on Cannon's webpage and advertising that he sends does he appear to accomplish anything, but those that understand illegal immigration know better, and this group is getting larger every year. He has learned during the past four years to talk the talk.

By re-electing the same do nothing congressman year after year doesn't seem to work, I suggest we try someone new. There is nothing to lose. Chaffetz can easily beat the democrat in November, and if he doesn't do what he says he will, we can get rid of him in two years. Republicans are out of power in congress and so Cannon's seniority is meaningless. Now is the time for a change!! Let's take back our government.

Lee | 11:38 a.m. June 6, 2008

I'm sure Cannon wants to make sure that his illegal buddies aren't impeded in their Journey here. Cannon is a staunch supporter of the SPP, which proposes to eliminate the borders from Canada to Guatemala by merging the US with Canada and Mexico.

Re: SJ Voter | 11:56 a.m. June 6, 2008

Here is Cannon's record on illegal immigration:

He has SPONSERED Bills to give illegal aliens instate tuition and Pell Grants(Google Chris Cannon's Student Adjustment Act).

He has SPONSERED the AgJobs Amnesty Bill.

He has voted NO on every bill that would take funding away from Sanctuary Cities for illegals.

He has been given awards by leftwing racial groups such as MALDEF and LaRaza for his work on their behalf. Do a google search for Chris Cannon and Maldef and see for yourself what he had to say to them.

Also google Chris Cannon and Radio Unica and see where Congressman Cannon was the guest and invited Illegal Aliens to donate to his Campaign. He ended up in a bit of legal trouble for this one.

A Chris Cannon quote on illegals obtaining drivers licenses in Utah... "In fact I think Utah was the first state in the country to legislate the ability to get a drivers license based on the matricula consular and of that I am proud."

Hey Stewart, Jim & Yamo whatever | 5:50 p.m. June 6, 2008

1st, Jim: All we really know from your rhetoric is not that Chris will stop working after the polls close but that you'll stop reading the paper. Even more, that you have never read the Library of Congress.
2nd, Stewart: I've been a delegate for a long time and statistically the turnover is 50% every 2 yrs. And every 2 yrs. we get power monging agenda carrying delegate who will be out the next round because all they want to do was through a little power around. They never study issues. And what is worse, they don't study the candidates. They come in, and vote on the spur of the moment or clever phrasology instead of doing the research necessary. This year the statistic was over 60% new delegates. Hmm...So don't say delegate know what they are doing, it is usually quite the contrary according to history. This year only cemented the pattern.
SeMaYo person: To you and everyone who makes this stuff up: Your comments are so far out of line from the truth they traverse slander.

Hey Stewart | 7:29 p.m. June 6, 2008

I actually agree with you. I have been a delegate four times now. I study the issues and read everything and meet all the candidates. The first go around at convention I voted for Cannon. The last three I voted for someone else. Why? At lot has do with what you stated. I feel Cannon told me what I wanted to hear and did contrary when he was back in Washington. I am one of those delegates who study it all out. Congressman Cannon's record on spending, immigration and his vote in favor of No child Left Behind has not been good.

I say, what do we have to lose? If Chaffetz does not do a good job than we replace him too. Maybe Chris Cannon could run again in two years. Some people on here think it will be the end of the world if Chris Cannon loses.

Lets give Chaffetz a chance and see what he can do!

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