Fascism: A governmental system led by a dictator having complete power, forcibly suppressing opposition and criticism, regimenting all industry, commerce, etc., and emphasizing aggressive nationalism and often racism
It's not like Tancredo just flippantly said these New Hampshire legislators should be prosecuted. He put it out in an
official press release and has defended his comments to the
Associated Press.
If Presidential hopeful Tom Tancredo had his way, New Hampshire lawmakers behind an immigration bill would be thrown out of office and prosecuted for helping illegal immigrants."If they actually implemented it, you bet. It's aiding and abetting. I think that's a pretty clear violation of the federal law," he said Wednesday of the bill, which would prohibit state and local authorities from enforcing federal immigration laws.
Tancredo, a Colorado congressman who has staked his long-shot campaign for president on his vehement opposition to illegal immigration, acknowledged some legal obstacles likely would prevent prosecuting state lawmakers over proposed legislation. Otherwise, "I'd be more than willing to pursue it," he said. Mayors and city councilors who adopt sanctuary city policies also should face criminal charges, he said.
I won't dwell too much on sanctuary policies, but they are absolutely necessary for local and state police to protect local residents. If migrants can't go to local law enforcement officials, they can't report on crimes committed against them, or by other people. Fostering trust with migrant populations actually makes cities and towns safer and more lawful. Even the
Association of Major Cities Police Chiefs agrees that
local officials should not enforce federal immigration law. If you have a problem with it, take it up with them.
UPDATE: I've recieved statements from the New Hampshire state representatives Tancredo is attacking.
From Susi Nord
Frankly I am flattered that he thinks his campaign can be helped by attacking a first term, volunteer state representative. His poll numbers indicate that the people of NH aren't buying his hateful message. I think we all agree we need immigration reform in this country, but I don't think we should infringe on people's civil liberties in the process. HB404 is a misunderstood bill that was primarily intended to prevent racial profiling in the name of enforcing immigration laws.
From Lily Mesa
I would like to see how is Tancredo going to make officials of NH prosecute Rep. Nord, and I. Besides that, we are in one of the states that defend freedom more than any. Remember our motto: "Live Free or Die". And it is our right as citizens of this country to exercise our freedom of speech by expressing our feelings. If the bill passes or not is not what it really matters now. What it matters is that people in NH realizes that we have some individuals, and even worse some elected officials, that are using this issue to spread the hatred and racism they feel for all of us that are not anglos. And this could be very dangerous because some of this people are tied with white supremacists groups. So, the bill is not necessarily to protect undocumented, but to protect us, immigrants, from people like Tancredo. We are in great danger in this country and in this state to go back to the times of KKK.