Top 10 Immigration Hawks in Congress

Ranked by the Editors of HUMAN EVENTS

1 Rep. Tom Tancredo (R.-Colo.)

Chairman of the Congressional Immigration Reform Caucus. Has repeatedly attacked the Bush Administration for its support of a guestworker/amnesty program for illegal aliens. Once said that President Bush is an obstacle to immigration reform and that Bush's "open door" border policy is a threat to national security. Afterwards, was reportedly told by Karl Rove, "Don't ever darken the doorstep of the White House."

2 Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R.-Wis.)

Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. Authored the REAL ID Act, preventing driver's licenses issued to illegal immigrants from being used for federal purposes, such as boarding a plane. His Border security bill rejecting Bush's guest-worker plan passed the House in December.

3 Rep. John Hostettler (R.-lnd.)

Chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security and Claims. Sponsor of the secure America Act to strengthen immigration enforcement and sentencing and to authorize use of the armed forces on the border. Said Bush's guest-worker plan "puts the interest of foreign, illegal workers above those of our own American citizens."

4 Rep. Duncan Hunter (R.-Calif.)

Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. Advocate of building a fence along the U.S.-Mexico border, sponsored amendment to authorize construction of several hundred miles of fencing, which passed 260 to 159. In 1995, led fight to authorize an additional 5,000 Border Patrol agents when Clinton Administration attempted to cut resources.

5 Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D.-Calif.)

Supports stiffening penalties for alien smugglers and increasing number of border control agents. Last week announced new legislation to crack down on the construction or financing of tunnels into the U.S. sees guest-worker program as a "magnet for continued illegal immigration." Told HUMAN EVENTS that if we can build a fence along the entire Mexican border, we should.

6 Rep. Lamar Smith (R.-Tex.)

Recently named to U.S. Border Control's "Honor Roll" for his perfect voting record on immigration and border issues. His 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act mandated implementation of a national exit-entry tracking system for all aliens but is not near completion.

7 Rep. Steve King (R.-lowa)

Has assumed role as a national leader on immigration reform and opposes guest-worker program, saying, "Mere discussion of the possibility of amnesty encourages illegal immigration." Sponsored an amendment to enforce a law forbidding localities from preventing police from reporting immigration information. Led series of immigration forums titled "secure America's Future."

8 Rep. J.D. Hayworth (R.-Ariz.)

When Mexican President Vicente Fox called the idea of a border fence "disgraceful and shameful." Hayworth declared, "President Fox should shut up." Author of Whatever It Takes: Illegal Immigration, Border security, and the War on Terror (Regnery, 2006-a HUMAN EVENTS sister company).

9 Rep. Elton Gallegly (R.-Calif.)

Has called for a constitutional amendment to deny "birthright citizenship" to babies of illegal immigrants and for an end to welfare for illegals. Sponsored amendment allowing states to deny education to illegals' children. Introduced a bill to require employers at critical infrastructure sites to use computerized system for verifying an employee's Social security number.

10 Sen. Tom Coburn (R.-Okla.)

One of only two Senate GOP co-sponsors of the Border security and Interior Enforcement Improvement Act to build a border fence, increase agents, give local law enforcement the ability to protect citizens from illegal immigration and require countries to accept their citizens back quickly. Sponsor of bill to deny "birthright citizenship" to babies of illegals.

Coming next week: Top 10 Recipients of Indian Money in Congress

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