Lt. Guv Dewhurst outed for pandering to Latinos

Political Cartoon of Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst

By R.G. Griffing
Publisher of the SA Lightning
Highly Conservative internet newsletter

"Changes Tune On Illegal Immigration"

Republican activist Joe Solis has been taking a lot of guff for his scathing report on Lt Governor David Dewhurst and pro-illegal immigration comments made to members of the SA Hispanic Chamber of Commerce earlier this month.

In his weekly newsletter, (South Texas Republican Newsletter) a feature also available in the Lightning, Solis questioned if Dewhurst was pandering to Hispanics and Latinos for their votes.

The Lite Guv at first refused to comment, then called the report 'balderdash." Now the Austin-American Statesman is confirming the Solis report.

Lt. Gov. Dewhurst huddled privately this month with folks connected to the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. He reportedly said: "I don't see why we don't give all 12 million (illegal) immigrants worker permits after they step forward. Of course, they have to get registered so we can know who they are."

A chamber leader, Ed Riojas, confirmed the wording, which became public in an e-mail blast this week from GOP activist Joe Solis. Riojas, a credit union executive, said Dewhurst stressed the need to identify immigrants so they can pay taxes. (excerpts for the Austin-American Statesman)

Meanwhile, Dewhurst is demanding Solis immediately print a "clarification." Solis says if he does decide to print the email from Dewhurst, he will do so in his regular newsletter published on Mondays.

Solis did provide the Lightning with that statement, and we present it here. Statement from Lt. Gov. Dewhurst:

Since 9-11, illegal immigration means an increased threat to homeland security and it involves a real cost to all Americans, and Texans, many who are having a hard time balancing their checkbooks the end of each month.

Today, there are competing proposals for dealing with illegal immigration. Some want amnesty and giving the 8-12 million illegals here in America an expedited road to citizenship.

I oppose this because it's not fair to the countless men and women from other countries who have and are properly standing in line for visas and residency permits, waiting months and in some cases years.

That's cutting in line, and I oppose it. To stop illegal immigration, the first thing we have to do is secure our borders, both north and south. And that means putting more law enforcement on the borders.

Second, we need to dry up demand. Overnight you dry up demand and illegal immigration if you significantly increase penalties on employers who hire illegals.

If we can send a man to the moon, we can create state driver's licenses or a new social security card, with tamper-proof biometrics on the back, with at least a digital photograph, fingerprints, date and place of birth, and citizenship status.

To insure the safety of all our citizens, all of us should apply for this new biometric driver’s license or social security card.

Some have recommended automatic guest worker permits for all 8-12 million illegal immigrants here in the U.S., but I think folks need to earn guest worker status, possibly having to return to their homes to apply or having a limit on how long they can stay.

It appears that even the local Republican Party doesn't believe its Republican leaders.