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IowaPolitics.com: Tancredo again challenges Giuliani's immigration credentials
7/16/2007

By Chris Dorsey
IowaPolitics.com

ADEL -- Republican Tom Tancredo, a strong opponent of illegal immigration, today criticized GOP frontrunner Rudy Giuliani for varying his stance on the issue. It was a continuation of the criticism he made earlier this month in Iowa.

"I find all of my colleagues running for the presidency have now become strong border control advocates," Tancredo said during an intimate campaign event at the Cool Beans Coffee Bar. "This is a brand new position for many of them, especially Rudy. He fought to keep New York a sanctuary city. He took it to the Supreme Court. He said he would not enforce it if we tried to stop him from having a sanctuary city."

He told a handful of supporters Monday morning that he has tried to lead to the fight to crack down on businesses who employ illegal immigrants. The Colorado congressman added he doesn't support amnesty for the estimated 12 to 20 million immigrants residing illegally in the United States.

This campaign stop showed a relaxed Tancredo. He wasn't speaking in front of hundreds of Republicans like he was when he garnered a rousing standing ovation at the June 30 Iowans for Tax Relief/Iowa Chrisitan Alliance forum. Tancredo sat in the small coffee shop, with a cup of java in hand and eating a pastry, as he visited with six or seven supportes, including Larry Speed of West Des Moines.

"I am hoping this gentleman is sincere on these issues," Speed said. "I really like Tom."

It is small, intimate gatherings like this one in Adel that are allowing Tancredo to make himself known in Iowa. Until recently receiving literature about the congressman, Speed said he had never heard of the Colorado candidate. Then, he saw Tancredo deliver an emotional speech at the June 30 ITR/ICA forum that prompted a standing ovation from the hundreds in attendance.

"His stances are 100 percent in line with my stances on the issues," said Speed, who had to opportunity Monday morning to speak candidly with Tancredo.

Tancredo spoke briefly about that gathering Monday, saying he was pleased with the Iowans' response.

Today the congressman also said he wanted to address the interpretation of the 14th Amendment that currently allows children born in the country to illegal immigrant parents to become U.S. citizens.

"There is no law," he said. "It is a simple interpretation of the 14th Amendment. And, it is an incorrect interpretation."

He said the intrepretation stems from the Civil War era and concerns the children of slaves born in the United States, not illegal immigrants.

Tancredo said 300,000 children were born in the U.S. in 2006 to parents residing in this country illegally. The congressman proposed legislation last Thursday that he calls true immigration reform, including a stipulation that ends the current residence intrepretation -- something he said expects to be challenged by his colleagues in Washington, D.C.

The GOP candidate also visited Madrid, Perry and Jefferson this morning. He is slated to campaign in Booe, Webster City and Fort Dodge this afternoon.


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