David Webb: GOP messaging on the US border crisis is terrible

Here is more proof of why review and sunset is sorely needed in both houses of the United States Congress. 

The William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008, H.R. 7311 (110th Congress), is the core of the Obama administration’s justification for the current crisis on the U.S. southern border. Initially the measure was written to authorize appropriations for fiscal 2008 through 2011 for the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, to enhance measures to combat trafficking in persons and for other purposes. As usual, the rules and regulations were not carefully considered or designed. Perhaps it is D.C. laziness, but certainly intellectual incompetence seems to be a major part of what got us to this point.

{mosads}First, Republican messaging on the issue is terrible. It seems as if D.C. politicians are in a constant state of denial and evade the truth, especially when they have some culpability. The facts are that H.R. 7311 (110th) was introduced by Rep. Howard Berman (D-Calif.) and co-sponsored by three Republicans: Reps. Chris Smith (N.J.), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (Fla.) and Jeff Fortenberry (Neb.). Democrat co-sponsors were Reps. John Conyers Jr. (Mich.), Robert “Bobby” Scott (Va.) and Zoe Lofgren (Calif.). These are a matter of record, as were the votes in the House and Senate. Then-President George W. Bush signed the bill into law under a House led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and a Democrat-controlled Senate. Simple truths do not remove the ability to change bad law. There needs to be honesty that there is no overnight fix available.

Second, what can Republicans do to fix the law allowing the Central, South American and possibly Mexican children to flood into United States? The House led by Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) can prepare a fix to the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008. There needs to be a true process for verification and a reciprocal process to identify who is a refugee versus an illegal alien opportunist or human and drug traffickers et. al. Pass this in the House and ready a bill in the Senate in case of a Republican takeover in November so it can be sent to President Obama. If not, Republicans can say they at least tried to make a good deal.

It’s time for an act of courage, not just an argument with Obama and the open borders crowd. Republicans fear being called names, which they are called anyway, so they should do the right things and let the chips fall where they may. If they cannot get the messaging right, the right policy can become the true message. Work off the successes over time and voters will reward the GOP.

It does not help when President Enrique Peña Nieto of Mexico institutes the Southern Border Program to Improve Passage, which will grant cards to only illegal aliens from Guatemala and Belize, allowing them to remain in Mexico’s southern states for 72 hours — more than enough time to reach the U.S.-Mexican border by train. The program gives special protection and even financial assistance to unaccompanied alien minors now pouring across our southern border. Cue the infamous “La Bestia,” aka the Beast, train loaded with illegal aliens on top and not many children as a majority percentage of travelers. Guatemala and Belize share a border with Mexico but the program will likely benefit anyone who makes it to the Mexican border. This further illustrates why our U.S. Border Patrol stations are now overflowing with illegal aliens from El Salvador and Honduras as well.

Responsibility and action of the American people is needed via non-violent civil disobedience and public pressure on all elected officials. Take a page from the people in Lawrenceville, Va., and Murrieta, Calif. Stand up!

Americans are not xenophobes and we believe in legal immigration but should reject illegal behavior, or a nation of laws will become only words with no structure. Stop the PC nonsense. Stop calling illegal aliens undocumented no matter where they’re from. Not lawfully present is illegal. We the people will bear the brunt of this crisis for years, further exacerbating our societal problems as well as negative economic effects.

We began a surge of demanding more from government and ourselves in 2009 with the rise of the populist Tea Party movement. We cannot stop now. Follow the United States Constitution and our system of laws. Demand elected and appointed officials do the same at all levels of government. Accept nothing less than what is correct policy and review and sunset when needed. We will not get this right every time and we must adjust when necessary, or the unintended consequences of law will continue to help erode our nation.

Webb is host of “The David Webb Show” on SiriusXM Patriot 125, a Fox News contributor, and has appeared frequently on television as a commentator. Webb co-founded TeaParty365 in New York City, and is a spokesman for the National Tea Party Federation. His column will appear twice a month in The Hill.